Background/aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Blake drain for the management of pancreatic fistula (PF) in comparison with the Duple drain.
Methodology: Our study consisted of two parts: a retrospective review of 33 patients with PF after pancreaticoduodenectomy, and a basic experiment to investigate the effects of the Blake drain on the management of PF in an animal model.
Results: In the clinical study, 19 patients received Blake drains (B-group) and 14 received Duple drains (D-group). Grade C fistulas with abdominal bleeding developed in only 2 patients in the B-group. All the patients in the B-group healed with conservative treatment (P<0.01). and none of them required percutaneous drainage or reoperation (P<0.05). In the basic experiment, no collections of fluid were detected around the Blake drains. When leakage occurred, it did not lead to abdominal abscess, and a "drain canal" formation linking the anastomosis with the extracorporeal orifice was demonstrated all along the drainage route.
Conclusions: Blake drains may be efficient therapeutic tools in patients with grade B fistulas. The basic experiment affirms that Blake drains provide excellent drainage and contribute to the formation of "drain canals" effective in localizing and controlling PF.