BACKGROUNDBecause of the complexity and severity of the surgery and its associated complications, pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially the hemorrhage post-PD. Exploring the factors associated with post-PD hemorrhage is very important for the patients' safety.

METHODSClinical data from 303 cases of PD between January 1998 and December 2008 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe overall mortality rate was 4.95% (15/303). However, post-operative bleeding occurred in 25 patients (8.25%) with nine episodes resulting in death (36.00%). Univariate analysis was performed and identified tumor size, Child's classification, total pancreatic uncinatic process resection, and pancreatic leakage as significant risk factors for post-PD hemorrhage. In the severe hemorrhage group, incomplete resection of uncinate process of pancreas and pancreatic leakage were the main causes. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that each of these variables is an independent risk factor.

CONCLUSIONSPrimary prevention of bleeding complications depends on total pancreatic uncinatic process resection and meticulous hemostatic techniques during surgery. In addition, several peri-operative factors were found to contribute to post-PD bleeding.