Context: Several surgical complications are related to obesity.
Objective: This study evaluated the impact of obesity on pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Design: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 159 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between October 2002 and December 2008.
Setting: The patients were divided according to the body mass index as obese (body mass index equal to, or greater than, 25 kg/m(2)), or normal (body mass index less than 25 kg/m(2)).
Methods: Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied. Two-tailed P values less than 0.05 were considered as significant.
Results: Forty-six patients (28.9%) were obese and 113 patients (71.1%) were normal-weight. Obese group had a significantly higher incidence of pancreatic fistula and a greater amount of intraoperative blood loss. Other surgical complications were not significantly different between the two groups. Multivariate analysis found obesity, small pancreatic duct size (less than, or equal to, 3 mm), intraoperative blood loss, and combined resection as significant factors affecting pancreatic fistula.
Conclusions: Obese patients have an increased risk for pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.