Long-Term Outcomes of Pancreatic Function Following Pancreatic Trauma

The objective of this study is to retrospectively assess long-term outcomes and late complications of pancreatic trauma. We studied 14 patients with pancreatic trauma who were treated at the Advanced Emergency Medical Service Center, Kurume University Hospital, between 1981 and 2012 and discharged alive. Relevant data were extracted from patient records and a retrospective patient questionnaire and blood test were completed to evaluate pancreatic function. The median patient age at the time of the survey was 49 years; the median post-injury period was 23 years and 5 months. The comorbidity rates for pancreatic endocrine and exocrine dysfunctions were 35.7% and 33.3%, respectively. No new-onset diabetes mellitus (DM) was seen within 3 years of trauma, except in 1 patient who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. DM developed >15 years after trauma in 2 patients each in the pancreatectomy and non-pancreatectomy groups. Diarrhea exacerbated by fat intake was seen in 3 and 1 patient in the pancreatectomy and non-pancreatectomy groups, respectively. Both complications were more common in the pancreatectomy group, but without statistical significance. Although post-surgical pancreatic dysfunction may be absent at discharge, treatment for pancreatic trauma should take into account the possibility that pancreatectomy may accelerate DM onset.