Risk factors affecting pancreatic fistulas after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the risk factors of pancreatic leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 172 consecutive patients who had undergone pancreatico-duodenectomy at Inha University Hospital between April 1996 and March 2006. We analyzed the pancreatic fistula rate according to the clinical characteristics, the pathologic and laboratory findings, and the anastomotic methods.


RESULTS
The incidence of developing pancreatic fistulas in patients older than 60 years of age was 21.7% (25/115), while the incidence was 8.8% (5/57) for younger patients; the difference was significant (P=0.03). Patients with a dilated pancreatic duct had a lower rate of post-operative pancreatic fistulas than patients with a non-dilated duct (P=0.001). Other factors, including clinical features, anastomotic methods, and pathologic diagnosis, did not show any statistical difference.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrated that pancreatic fistulas are related to age and a dilated pancreatic duct. The surgeon must take these risk factors into consideration when performing a pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Choe
Yun-Mee
YM
Department of Surgery, Inha University Hospital, 7-206, 3 Ga Shinheung-dong, Jung-Gu, Incheon 400-711, South Korea.
Lee
Keon-Young
KY
Oh
Cheong-Ah
CA
Lee
Joung-Bum
JB
Choi
Sun Keun
SK
Hur
Yoon-Seok
YS
Kim
Sei-Joong
SJ
Cho
Young Up
YU
Ahn
Seung-Ik
SI
Hong
Kee-Chun
KC
Shin
Seok-Hwan
SH
Kim
Kyung-Rae
KR
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000473:pathology; D010185:Pancreatic Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors