Perioperative nutritional practices and associations with delayed gastric emptying in patients undergoing a...

Delayed gastric emptying is a common complication of a pancreaticoduodenectomy and can adversely impact nutritional status, and potentially clinical outcomes due to delays in nutrition initiation post-operatively. The aim of this study was to explore associations between delayed gastric emptying and patient baseline characteristics, early post-operative nutritional status, post-operative nutritional practices and clinical outcomes in a tertiary Australian hospital.

This was a retrospective, observational study of 80 consecutive patients who underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy between January 2019 and June 2022. Delayed gastric emptying was classified according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery definition. Continuous variables were compared using the independent t test, and categorical variables were compared using chi-squared or Fisher's exact test. Significant variables were included in a multivariable model.

The incidence of delayed gastric emptying within this cohort was 45% (36/80) and was higher in males compared to females (p = 0.025). Early post-operative nutritional status was not significantly associated with delayed gastric emptying (p = 0.124). Patients with delayed gastric emptying had a higher incidence of post-operative pancreatic fistula (p = 0.03) and Clavien-Dindo complications ≥3 (p = 0.011). Delayed gastric emptying was associated with greater usage of enteral (p < 0.001) and parenteral nutrition (p < 0.001), a longer length of stay (p < 0.001) and increased re-admissions (p = 0.014). Male sex remained significantly associated with delayed gastric emptying following regression analysis.

Delayed gastric emptying rates were high, associated with greater use of artificial nutrition and worse outcomes in our patient population post-operatively. Early post-operative malnutrition was not significantly associated with delayed gastric emptying.