Risk Factors Affecting Pancreatic Fistula after Pancreaticoduodenectomy

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Pancreacticoduodenectomy is the procedure of choice for managing periampullary malignancy. But pancreatojejunostomy site leakage is a very critical complication because it is hard to prevent leakage. The aim of this study is to analyze the risk factors of pancreatic leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 172 consecutive patients who had received pancreaticoduodenectomy at Inha University Hospital between Apr. 1996 and Mar. 2006. We analyzed the pancreatic leakage rates according to the clinical characteristics, the pathologic and laboratory findings and the anastomosis methods. RESULTS: There were differences in the mean age and pathologic findings between the two groups. There were 115 (66.9%) patients older than 60 years, while the other 57 patients (33.1%) were younger than 60 years. The incidence of developing pancreatic fistula in patients older than 60 years was 21.7% (25/115) while this was 8.8% (5/57) for the younger patients, and the difference was significant (p=0.03). The patients with a dilated pancreatic duct showed a lower rate of esser post-operative pancreatic fistula than the patients with a non-dilated duct (p=0.001). Other factors, including the anastomosis method and the pathologic diagnosis, didn't show any statistical difference. According to the pathologic diagnosis, the patients with pancreatitis and stomach cancer revealed pancreatic fistula to a smaller extent; there were 6 cases (3.5%) of pancreatitis and 22(12.8%) of stomach cancer. Among the case with pancreatic fistula, there were 0 cases of pancreatitis and 2 cases (6,7%) of stomach cancer, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that pancreatic fistula is related to age and a dilated pancreatic duct. Surgeon must take these risk factors into consideration when performing pancreaticoduodenectomy. We recommend surgeons to use skillful technique to prevent pancreatic fistula.