Do patients need a drain after pancreas tail removal surgery?

When surgeons remove part of the pancreas (called distal pancreatectomy), they sometimes place a small drain inside the abdomen to collect fluid and help prevent infections. This trial is testing whether that drain is actually necessary. Researchers will compare two groups: one that receives the drain as normal, and one that does not, to see which approach leads to fewer complications.

Pancreas surgery carries a high risk of complications like infections and fluid buildup. Surgeons traditionally use drains to manage these risks, but newer surgical techniques may make the drain unnecessary. This trial aims to find out whether skipping the drain is safe, which could mean less discomfort and faster recovery for patients.