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Acute pancreatitis after abdominal vascular surgery
S H Burkey1, R J Valentine, M R Jackson
1Department of Surgery, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75390-9157, USA.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons
|October 13, 2000
Summary
Postoperative pancreatitis is a rare complication following abdominal vascular surgery, occurring in 1.8% of cases. While it can lead to longer hospital stays and increased need for parenteral nutrition, it is generally self-limited and rarely serious.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Complications
Background:
- Retroperitoneal dissection and ischemia are potential risk factors for postoperative pancreatitis.
- Postoperative pancreatitis incidence and outcomes after abdominal vascular surgery are not well-documented.
- This study aimed to evaluate pancreatitis following abdominal vascular operations.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine the incidence of pancreatitis after abdominal vascular surgery.
- Assess the outcomes and clinical course of pancreatitis in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective data collection on 21 patients who developed pancreatitis post-abdominal vascular surgery.
- Comparison with 21 age- and gender-matched control patients undergoing similar operations.
- Analysis of pre-, intra-, and postoperative data.
Main Results:
- Pancreatitis incidence was 1.8% among all patients undergoing abdominal vascular operations.
- Patients with pancreatitis experienced longer NPO duration (9 vs. 3.9 days) and required parenteral nutrition (13 vs. 0 controls).
- Hospitalization was trends longer (16 vs. 11 days), but complication rates were similar; 76% had no complications.
Conclusions:
- Pancreatitis is a rare, generally self-limited complication of abdominal vascular surgery.
- While inconvenient and costly, pancreatitis rarely poses a serious threat after these operations.
- Cholelithiasis was identified in 2 cases; the cause remained unknown in 19 patients.