title: Risk factors affecting pancreatic fistulas after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Inha University Hospital, 7-206, 3 Ga Shinheung-dong, Jung-Gu, Incheon 400-711, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yun-Mee
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Choe
authors.forename: Keon-Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Cheong-Ah
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Joung-Bum
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sun Keun
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Yoon-Seok
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Hur
authors.forename: Sei-Joong
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young Up
authors.initials: YU
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Seung-Ik
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Kee-Chun
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Seok-Hwan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Kyung-Rae
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: 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