Clinical outcomes and costs of the use of fibrin sealant in pancreaticojejunal anastomosis after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a retrospective analysis study

OBJECTIVES: The benefits of using a fibrin sealant to reinforce the pancreaticojejunal anastomosis are still contentious, a fact that justifies the study of its effects on clinical outcomes and costs of pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: Study of 62 consecutive patients submitted to pancreaticoduodenectomy, divided into two groups of 31 patients each: GWS = group with sealant and GWOS = group without sealant that were compared according to demographic, clinical, laboratory aspects, the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), according to the definition of the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula, updated in 2016, and its postoperative complications categorized according to the Clavien classification, as well as hospital costs evaluated by the absorption costing method (with the exception of those related to medications). RESULTS: The groups were homogeneous and there were no significant differences in the postoperative clinical course or in the indicators of hospital care between them. Hard texture of pancreatic tissue was the only protective factor against the development of POPF (RR = 0.29 (95%CI:0,12–0,68); p = 0.005). Moreover, hospital costs were higher in GWS than in GWOS (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of fibrin sealant to reinforce pancreaticojejunal anastomosis did not improve the clinical and healthcare outcomes and, in addition, increased hospital costs.