Delayed massive intraperitoneal hemorrhage after pancreatoduodenectomy.

Of 144 cases of pancreatoduodenectomy we treated 6 patients (4.2%) with delayed massive bleeding. Massive hemorrhage occurred 14 to 38 days later. Leakage of the pancreatojejunostomy was confirmed in all patients. A "sentinel bleed" was evident in five patients with arterial bleeding. One patient with hemorrhage of the superior mesenteric vein was successfully treated conservatively. One patient with bleeding from the left gastric artery stump survived emergency re-operation. Two of four patients with hemorrhage from the gastroduodenal artery stump were successfully treated with selective embolization of the common hepatic artery. The remaining two patients died of uncontrollable re-bleeding or hepatic failure following hemostasis. Angiography and selective embolization are effective for identification and control of the bleeding site when delayed hemorrhage occurs after pancreatoduodenectomy. Intensive treatment is necessary to compensate for reduced hepatic arterial blood supply in cases requiring surgical or radiological interruption of the common hepatic artery.