BMC Surgery (Mar 2007)

Preoperative biliary drainage for periampullary tumors causing obstructive jaundice; <it>DR</it>ainage vs. (direct) <it>OP</it>eration (DROP-trial)

  • Sosef Meindert N,
  • van der Harst Erwin,
  • Kubben Frank JGM,
  • van Laarhoven Cees J,
  • Bonsing Bert A,
  • Boerma Djamila,
  • Rinkes Inne,
  • Klinkenbijl Jean HG,
  • Hesselink Erik J,
  • Greve Jan,
  • Rutten Jan-Paul,
  • Gerritsen Josephus JGM,
  • Kuipers Ernst J,
  • van Eijck Casper HJ,
  • Bruno Marco J,
  • Rauws Erik AJ,
  • de Castro Steve MM,
  • van der Gaag Niels A,
  • Bosscha Koop,
  • de Hingh Ignace HJT,
  • Th de Wit Laurens,
  • van Delden Otto M,
  • Busch Olivier RC,
  • van Gulik Thomas M,
  • Bossuyt Patrick MM,
  • Gouma Dirk J

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2482-7-3
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
p. 3

Abstract

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Abstract Background Surgery in patients with obstructive jaundice caused by a periampullary (pancreas, papilla, distal bile duct) tumor is associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications than in non-jaundiced patients. Preoperative biliary drainage was introduced in an attempt to improve the general condition and thus reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality. Early studies showed a reduction in morbidity. However, more recently the focus has shifted towards the negative effects of drainage, such as an increase of infectious complications. Whether biliary drainage should always be performed in jaundiced patients remains controversial. The randomized controlled multicenter DROP-trial (DRainage vs. Operation) was conceived to compare the outcome of a 'preoperative biliary drainage strategy' (standard strategy) with that of an 'early-surgery' strategy, with respect to the incidence of severe complications (primary-outcome measure), hospital stay, number of invasive diagnostic tests, costs, and quality of life. Methods/design Patients with obstructive jaundice due to a periampullary tumor, eligible for exploration after staging with CT scan, and scheduled to undergo a "curative" resection, will be randomized to either "early surgical treatment" (within one week) or "preoperative biliary drainage" (for 4 weeks) and subsequent surgical treatment (standard treatment). Primary outcome measure is the percentage of severe complications up to 90 days after surgery. The sample size calculation is based on the equivalence design for the primary outcome measure. If equivalence is found, the comparison of the secondary outcomes will be essential in selecting the preferred strategy. Based on a 40% complication rate for early surgical treatment and 48% for preoperative drainage, equivalence is taken to be demonstrated if the percentage of severe complications with early surgical treatment is not more than 10% higher compared to standard treatment: preoperative biliary drainage. Accounting for a 10% dropout, 105 patients are needed in each arm resulting in a study population of 210 (alpha = 0.95, beta = 0.8). Discussion The DROP-trial is a randomized controlled multicenter trial that will provide evidence whether or not preoperative biliary drainage is to be performed in patients with obstructive jaundice due to a periampullary tumor.