Background: Preservation of arterial blood supply to the duodenum and common bile duct during duodenum-preserving total resection of the pancreatic head is a major problem. We describe here a new procedure comprising pancreatic head resection with second-portion duodenectomy to overcome it.

Methods: The procedure was performed in 18 patients with benign lesions, low-grade malignancies, or early stage carcinomas involving the pancreatic head and with carcinoma of the middle bile duct or the gallbladder. The technique preserves the third portion of the duodenum by conserving the anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery. The second portion of the duodenum is divided, followed by division of the lower bile duct and pancreatic neck. After resection followed by duodenoduodenostomy, there is a choice of two procedures: type A, pancreaticoduodenostomy and choledochoduodenostomy; or type B, pancreaticojejunostomy and hepatodochojejunostomy.

Results: There were no operative or hospital deaths (type A, 6; type B, 12). Postoperative complications occurred in 2 patients, but the others had an uneventful postoperative course. The quality of life of all patients has been satisfactory up to 36 months postoperatively.

Conclusion: This procedure is a reliable option as an organ-preserving procedure for benign lesions, low-grade malignancies, and early stage carcinomas involving the pancreatic head.