Routine peritoneal drainage of the surgical bed after elective distal pancreatectomy: is it necessary?

Recent literature suggests that peritoneal drainage (PD) is not helpful after elective pancreatectomy and may be detrimental. Data specific to distal pancreatectomy (DP) have not received prior evaluation.We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent DP. Factors examined included postoperative morbidity and the need for therapeutic intervention.Sixty-nine patients had DP, 30 without PD. Thirty-four patients suffered 45...