Clinical Analysis for the Postoperative Complications of Pancreaticoduodenectomy in the Recent 5 Years

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is known to have high morbidity and mortality rates among the various abdominal operations, but there have been few reported current series of pancreaticoduodenectomy from large volume medical centers. The purpose of this study is to analyze the postoperative complications of PD and to assess the risk factors for postoperative morbidity. METHODS: A total of 398 cases of PD were performed by two surgeons from January 2003 to December 2007 at our institution and we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of these cases. RESULTS: 186 (46.7%) of 398 patients underwent pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) and 212 patients (53.3%) underwent a classic Whipple procedure. The most common indication for this procedure was pancreatic cancer (151 cases, 37.9%) and the second most common was intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (78 cases, 19.6%). The mean age was 57.2 years, ranging from 12 to 81. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 24.7 days. The most common complication was delayed gastric emptying (11.8%) and next was pancreatic fistula (10.3%), bleeding (6.5%) and new onset diabetes mellitus (DM) (4%). Four patients (1%) died of hospital mortality. The patients' age, gender, DM history, hypertension history and serum bilirubin level had no significant influences on the postoperative morbidity rate. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreaticoduodenectomy can be performed safely with an acceptable complication rate and minimal mortality if the surgeon has sufficient surgical experiences and with the advance in anesthesia and postoperative care.