Research Article: A modified stent-free Chen's U-suture technique in pediatric pancreaticojejunostomy: safety and efficacy
Abstract:
Pediatric pancreatic surgery is challenging due to soft pancreatic texture and small main pancreatic duct (MPD) diameter, both risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). The modified stent-free Chen's U-suture technique, a continuous transpancreatic U-shaped invagination pancreaticojejunostomy without stenting, has shown low clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF) rates in adults. This study evaluates its safety and feasibility in children.
From July 2018 to November 2025, five children (2 males, 3 females; aged 4.3–10.1 years) underwent pancreatic resection with the modified stent-free Chen's U-suture technique (no MPD stent placement). Diagnoses included pancreatic head solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN, n =?2, one with jaundice), body SPN ( n =?1), grade III trauma ( n =?1), and complex iatrogenic injury ( n =?1). The primary endpoint was POPF rate (ISGPS 2016).
All procedures were successful. Median operative time was 5?h (range 3–8); mean pancreaticojejunostomy time 17.8?min (15–21); median blood loss 50?mL (20–100). Two patients had transient mild hyperamylasemia (< 2×upper limit of normal) with imaging showing localized perianastomotic edema/fluid collection without diffuse parenchymal edema or necrosis, managed conservatively. One patient met the criteria for a biochemical leak; no CR-POPF (0%, 95% CI: 0.0%–52.2%) (grade B/C) occurred. No infection, hemorrhage, reoperation, or readmission occurred. Drains were removed on days 5–14 (median, 7 days). At median 25-month follow-up (range 4–92), one child required pancreatic enzyme replacement for fat malabsorption 4 years post-surgery; no new diabetes or other malabsorption occurred. One patient had asymptomatic mild distal MPD dilatation (2.9?mm) at 25 months; another had normal MPD shape (2.3?mm) at 4 months.
The modified stent-free Chen's U-suture technique demonstrates promising feasiblility and safety for pediatric pancreatic head, neck, or body tumor resection, grade III trauma, and complex iatrogenic injuries, achieving a 0% CR-POPF rate in this small cohort (95% CI: 0.0%–52.2%) without the need for internal stenting. Transient mild hyperamylasemia with localized perianastomotic inflammatory changes is uncommon and manageable. Long-term pancreatic function is generally preserved, though asymptomatic MPD dilatation may occur.
Introduction:
Pediatric pancreatic surgery is challenging due to soft pancreatic texture and small main pancreatic duct (MPD) diameter, both risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). The modified stent-free Chen's U-suture technique, a continuous transpancreatic U-shaped invagination pancreaticojejunostomy without stenting, has shown low clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF) rates in adults. This study evaluates its safety and feasibility in children.
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