To investigate the safety and application value of total pancreatectomy for pancreatic cut end hemorrhage after Whipple procedure.

Clinical data of 1 patient with cholangiocarcinoma who underwent total pancreatectomy for treating the pancreatic cut end hemorrhage after Whipple procedure in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in November 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The patient was admitted to hospital due to yellow urine for 3 weeks, and yellow sclera and skin accompanied with cutaneous pruritus for 2 weeks. Space-occupying lesions in the ampulla were found by abdominal ultrasound, MRI and ultrasonic endoscope examination. The pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and clinical efficacy of the patient were observed. The informed consents of the patient was obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received.

The patient underwent Whipple procedure under general anesthesia by tracheal intubation. Pancreatic cut end hemorrhage after surgery was observed and had no effects to repeated reoperation and interventional embolization therapy. Eventually, total pancreatectomy was performed. The patient was diagnosed with gallbladder carcinoma by pathological examination. The patient healed after postoperative administration of pancreatin and insulin. The patient survived well after surgery and no recurrence was observed.

Total pancreatectomy can be considered as one of the options for treating the severe postoperative complications after Whipple procedure.