Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after pancreatic surgery: a suggested definition by the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS).
BACKGROUND
Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is one of the most common complications after pancreatic resection. In the literature, the reported incidence of DGE after pancreatic surgery varies considerably between different surgical centers, primarily because an internationally accepted consensus definition of DGE is not available. Several surgical centers use a different definition of DGE. Hence, a valid comparison of different study reports and operative techniques is not possible.


METHODS
After a literature review on DGE after pancreatic resection, the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) developed an objective and generally applicable definition with grades of DGE based primarily on severity and clinical impact.


RESULTS
DGE represents the inability to return to a standard diet by the end of the first postoperative week and includes prolonged nasogastric intubation of the patient. Three different grades (A, B, and C) were defined based on the impact on the clinical course and on postoperative management.


CONCLUSIONS
The proposed definition, which includes a clinical grading of DGE, should allow objective and accurate comparison of the results of future clinical trials and will facilitate the objective evaluation of novel interventions and surgical modalities in the field of pancreatic surgery.
Wente
Moritz N
MN
Department of General Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, Heidelberg, Germany.
Bassi
Claudio
C
Dervenis
Christos
C
Fingerhut
Abe
A
Gouma
Dirk J
DJ
Izbicki
Jakob R
JR
Neoptolemos
John P
JP
Padbury
Robert T
RT
Sarr
Michael G
MG
Traverso
L William
LW
Yeo
Charles J
CJ
Büchler
Markus W
MW
D005746:Gastric Emptying; D018589:Gastroparesis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009626:Terminology as Topic