New utility of biological meshes. Reinforced duct-mucosa anastomosis (REDMA)

After a historical observational and analytical cohort study, we can conclude:

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  REDMA is a useful, safe and feasible alternative in patients with moderate to high risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) for reconstruction after cephalic duodenopancreatectomy (CDP).

REDMA intraoperatively converts a soft pancreas to a hard pancreas by fitting the Integra biological mesh, SurgiMend®, around the surgical neck (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

REDMA reduces:

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  Clinically relevant POPF risk by 95% (Odds Ratio 0.05439, CI95:0.0080681-0.2458175; p = 0.0006214),

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  Incidence from stage IIIb onwards (Clavien-Dindo, p = 0.003),

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  Hospital stay (p = 0.001) without increasing other complications or altering CT imaging.

Conflict of interest

None.