Experiencing pancreatic fluid leakage post-op: How long does it last?

Hello @billyfeet, I did a search but wasn't able to find any posts mentioning pancreatic fluid leakage following a distal pancreatectomy. While we wait for members that may have experience to respond to your question, I did find a paper saying it was a frequent and harmless finding but it would be something to discuss with your care team or surgeon.

--- Fluid collection after distal pancreatectomy: a frequent finding: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4750236/

Have you discussed your concern with your care team or surgeon?

Hi! I had pancreatic leakage after Whipple. When the drain was removed, it was 4/mL in 4 days (my drainage). I kept my drain for almost 8 weeks post surgery. Definitely talk to your care team - fever and infection they will want to discuss. I was on Tylenol and antibiotics for an abdominal wound infection so I wouldn’t have seen this.

Anyone experience pockets of fluid left after PNET surgery? Had surgery December 2022. First scan in March after PNET showed what was determined to be fluid. Second scan in July showed a small decrease of fluid.
Just wondering if this is normal.???
Thanks.

Hi suzyis7
Actually, I have had two Pancreatic surgeries and both left me with fluid. The first partial pancreactomy in 2017, I had fluid in pockets along with a fistula. I had numerous. CT’s and had to have 4 drains and slowly was down to 1 ostomy bag drain at the 4 month mark. I even had sepsis and after sepsis the drain continued. My second partial Whipple again I had to have a wound vac and then an IR drain for 3 months. So I think it’s pretty common. If you have a fever go back to the Dr or ER. I hope this helps.
I am Grade 1 ki-67< 3% with two primaries in the pancreas. I am currently NED no evidence of disease!

EM, I am 2 1/2 months post distal pancreatectomy….have had continuing trouble with infection and on my 4th drain. How did you situation finally resolve? Were you on antibiotics most of the time? Tell me about the sepsis adventure….I am terrified of that. Just got my drain changed today……have not had fever for a few days which is rare. Hoping for the best!

Oh it was quite the journey. 1 st surgery was July 31,. I was on standard antibiotics like amoxicillin and a few others but the fevers returned after 3 days post meds. At day 47 I was in the surgeon’s office with a 102 fever shivering and I told him I thought I was dying. So he said you have sepsis and immediately admitted me and I went in to the ICU for 9 days and they were able to bring me back to life. Two days post icu I happens to bend over and my chest incision bursted with infection so back to the surgeon and got another ostomy bag. They had taken out the Jtube out while I was in ICU. This is crazy but, on the way back home I felt like eating for the first time in 60 days! I had the ostomy bags for 4 months. The second surgery February 2019, same thing. This time i was at Mayo in Jacksonville. I went to the er 4 times they would keep me 1 or two days with iv antibiotics vancomycin and one other. 3 days later pain pain and fever. The last time May 20th, I still had a wound vac on and went. To the er as the pain was so bad and fever. This time they kept me on a liquid diet and waited 10 days for proper infection specimens with the infectious disease folks. Also had a EUS as they thought I had bowel necrosis at the junction after the Whipple . Thank goodness it was ok. So I had Ecoli and Yeast infections. Had an IR drain and a pic line ..started on, placed on TPN and antibiotics Meropenem for the Ecoli and Caspofungin for the yeast and after 16 days in Mayo, I had run out of home health days so I was sent to a Skilled nursing facility for 70 days ! I developed a blood clot, so they pulled the pic line and started on Eliquis and three days after coming home ….had kidney stones from the TPN .. had to have surgery and now have to follow a low oxalate diet. I lost 67 lbs and finally had to start metformin for pancreatic issues in 2021. Life was tough and recovery was about 6 months. Had to have a few iron infusions but doing well. I am about to start pancreatic enzymes for insufficiency and malabsorption. It just take time and a lot of prayers and support from family and friends! I hope that my story is the exception and not the rule. The goal will be no fevers and the appetite to return and feeling better will finally begin!

@suzyis7, I hope you saw the helpful posts from other members like @elm60 and @billyfeet.

Has the fluid continued to decrease? How are you doing?

Thank you for asking. Yes, I read the replies and feel for them and what each is experiencing.
I am doing better each day. Feel really blessed and trying to stay positive as it comes time for a scan. Next one is in October.
Thank you for being a Director.🤗💜

I had a distal pancrectomy and spleenectomy in May......I am still draining about 20 ML of fluid a day through a drain. I have had problems with the collection area becoming infected and my recovery has been slow. Has anyone else had their drain in for over 3 months? I am beginning to really feel good but it worries me that this drainage has not resolved.

I'm sorry to hear that this problem is ongoing for you. I'm tagging fellow members like @milagro45pr @sushie @outlawcancer @shezza51 @c2pricorn66 @leighs2011 @elliek @stageivsurvivor @faithann64 @wrolsen, who have experience with a distal pancrectomy and spleenectomy and may have tips to share with you.