Aim: To analyze risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) rate after distal pancreatic resection (DPR).
Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 126 DPRs during 16 years. The primary endpoint was clinically relevant pancreatic fistula.
Results: Over the years, there was an increasing rate of operations in patients with a high-risk pancreas and a significant change in operative techniques. POPF was the most prominent factor for perioperative morbidity. Significant risk factors for pancreatic fistula were high body mass index (BMI) [odds ratio (OR) = 1.2 (CI: 1.1-1.3), P = 0.001], high-risk pancreatic pathology [OR = 3.0 (CI: 1.3-7.0), P = 0.011] and direct closure of the pancreas by hand suture [OR = 2.9 (CI: 1.2-6.7), P = 0.014]. Of these, BMI and hand suture closure were independent risk factors in multivariate analysis. While hand suture closure was a risk factor in the low-risk pancreas subgroup, high BMI further increased the fistula rate for a high-risk pancreas.
Conclusion: We propose a risk-adapted and indication-adapted choice of the closure method for the pancreatic remnant to reduce pancreatic fistula rate.
Keywords: Body mass index; Distal pancreatic resection; Postoperative pancreatic fistula.