Alarming correlation between multidrug-resistant bacteriobilia and morbidity after pancreatic surgery

Background: Pancreatic surgery is characterized by high morbidity and mortality. Biliary colonization may affect clinical outcomes in these patients.

Aims: This study aimed to verify whether bacteriobilia and multidrug resistance (MDR) detected during and after pancreatic surgery may have an impact on post-operative outcomes.

Methods: Data from patients undergoing pancreatic surgery involving bile duct transection (2016-2022) in two high-volume centers were analyzed in relationship to overall morbidity, major morbidity and mortality after pancreato-duodenectomy (PD) or total pancreatectomy (TP). Simple and multivariable regressions were used.

Results: 227 patients submitted to PD (n=129) or TP (n=98) were included. Of them, 133 had preoperative biliary drainage (BD; 56.6%), mostly with the employment of endoscopic stents (91.7%). Bacteriobilia was detected in 111 patients (48.9%), and remarkably, observed in patients with BD (p=0.001). In addition, 25 MDR pathogens were identified (22.5%), with a significant prevalence in patients with BD. Multivariable regression analysis showed BD was strongly related to MDR isolation (odds ratio [OR]: 5.61; p=0.010). MDR isolation was the main factor linked to a higher number of major complications (OR: 2.75; p=0.041), including major infection complications (OR: 2.94; p=0.031).

Conclusions: Isolation of MDR from biliary swab during PD or TP significantly increases the risk of a worse post-operative outcome. Pre-operative precautions could improve patient safety.