Clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) represents the most common complication that can occur after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). CR-POPF is the main cause of morbidity after PD, being associated with a risk of mortality up to 60%. The placement of external or internal pancreatic stents after PD have been investigated as possible strategies for preventing the development of CR-POPF. However, device displacement has been reported as a common cause of pancreatic stents malfunction. Recently, a novel biodegradable pancreatic stent (ARCHIMEDES™) has been introduced. The device has been specifically designed to reduce the risk of displacement, thus offering a new valuable tool to decrease the rate of CR-POPF after PD.~In this randomised, controlled, single-center trial, researchers investigate the possible efficacy of biodegradable internal pancreatic stenting of pancreatic anastomosis in patient undergoing PD versus no stenting, focusing on a possible superiority association for preventing CR-POPF.~Participants will be randomised into two arms (Biodegradable stent vs non-stent) based on their intra-operative risk of developing POPF according to the Fistula Risk Score (FRS). The rate of CR-POPF will be compared between the two arms.
The aim of this randomized controlled study is to compare the efficacy of biodegradable internal pancreatic stenting versus no stenting in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), focusing on a possible superiority association of the device in preventing clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF).~Patients undergoing PD will be randomized into two arms:~arm 1: a biodegradable internal pancreatic stent will be placed at the level of the pancreatic anastomosis~arm 2: no pancreatic stent will be placed at the level of the pancreatic anastomosis~The rate of occurrence of CR-POPF will be compared between the two arms.