Analysis of procedure-related complications after pancreatodoudenectomy

To analyze the procedure-related complications after pancreaticoduodenctomy (PD) and their risk factors.

One hundred twenty-six patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for diseases at region of pancreatic head were reviewed retrospectively.

The overall surgical morbidity was 40.5% (51/126). Ten (7.9%) of 51 patients were identified as having pancreatic leakage, others included delayed gastric emptying (8.7%, 11), abdominal infection and abscess (7.9%, 10), abdominal bleeding (5.6%, 7), wound infection (4.8%, 6), wound dehiscence (2.4%, 3), biliary fistula (1.6%, 2) and operative death (1.6%, 2). Other postoperative complications were lung inflammation (3.9%, 5) and newly developed diabetes mellitus (2.3%, 3). Age (>60 years), coexisting diabetes mellitus, small main pancreatic duct (≤0.5 cm), and surgeon's experience (<10 patients within 5 years) were demonstrated to be independent risk factors by both univariate and multivariate analysis (p < 0.01).

Old patients with coexisting diabetes mellitus and small main pancreatic duct undergo pancreatoduodenectomy by a less experienced surgeon may be at high risk of procedure-related complications.