Prospective Multicenter Trial of Early Versus Late Drain Removal After Pancreaticoduodenectomy

The objective of this randomized prospective multicenter study is to investigate the association between the time of removal of drain after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and incidence of major complications (grade 2-4 complications). The investigators unite six pancreatic surgery center in Beijing. Patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) or pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) with low to moderate risk of post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF) are recruited into the study. After obtaining informed consent, eligible patients are randomly allocated to early or late drain removal group on POD 3. In the group A, drain(s) are removed on POD 3, whereas in group B drain is removed on POD 5 or beyond. The primary outcomes are the incidence of sum of grade 2-4 complications, the secondary outcomes include grade B/C POPF, intra-abdominal infeciton, delayed gastric emptying, post-operative bleeding, in-hospital stay, total medical cost and comprehensive complication index (CCI).

Inclusion criteria

• PD with or without pylorus preserving;
• Age between 18 and 75 years;
• Drain amylase on POD 1 and 3 less than 5000 U/L;
• Drain output within POD 3 less than 300 ml per day.

Exclusion criteria

• Vascular reconstruction using an artificial graft;
• Grade B/ C postoperative bleeding, evident anastomosis leakage within 3 days after surgery;
• Refusale to participate in after signed informed consent.