Background: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains a major complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), and the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) after PD is poor.
Patients and methods: A multi-institutional retrospective study was performed in 174 patients who underwent PD for PDAC from 2007 to 2012. The details of clinical data were examined, and risk factors for POPF and poor prognostic factors after PD were identified.
Results: POPF occured in 26 patients (15%), and 18 patients (10%) were diagnosed as Grade B/C POPF. The independent risk factors for Grade B/C POPF were body mass index (BMI) ≥25 (Odds Ratio [OR]=21.1, p=0.006) and absence of post-operative enteral nutrition (EN) (OR=10.2, p=0.04). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survivals of patients with PDAC after PD were 76%, 35%, and 18%, respectively. R1/2 operation was identified as the only independent poor prognostic factor (Hazard Ratio=3.66; p=0.0002).
Conclusion: Patients with BMI ≥25 should be closely monitored for POPF after PD. Post-operative EN might help prevent POPF. Performing R0 resection is an important goal for ensuring patient survival after PD for PDAC.
Keywords: Pancreaticoduodenectomy; multi-institutional study; overall survival; pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; postoperative pancreatic fistula.
Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.