Prevention, evaluation, and treatment of leaks after pancreatic surgery.

Despite overall improvement in outcomes after pancreatic surgery, the problem of leak continues to challenge surgical specialists. Failure to adequately address this complication can lead to sepsis, hemorrhage, organ failure, and death. Prompt recognition and early intervention are essential. Once fistula output and intra-abdominal infection have been adequately controlled often by percutaneous techniques, successful resolution without the need for re-operation is usually possible.