The role of "fatty pancreas" and of BMI in the occurrence of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
BACKGROUND
Pancreatic fistula (PF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is still a serious complication. We hypothesized that the amount of fatty tissue in the pancreatic parenchyma could be associated with the occurrence of PF after PD with pancreatogastrostomy.


METHODS
From January 2004 to December 2006, 111 consecutive patients underwent PD with pancreatogastrostomy. The microscopic amount of fatty tissue in the pancreas was evaluated.


RESULTS
The morbidity and mortality rates were 35.1% and 1.8%, respectively. PF occurred in 10.8% (n = 12). PF was of grade A in nine, grade B in two, and grade C in one patient. Univariate analysis showed that a body mass index (BMI) > 25 (P = 0.035), a soft pancreatic parenchyma (P = <0.003), a pancreatic duct size <3 mm (P = 0.015), and a fatty infiltration of the pancreas of more than 10% (P = 0.0003) were associated with the occurrence of PF. The advanced age (P = 0.049) and the BMI (P < 0.0001) were significantly associated with the presence of >10% of pancreatic fat.


CONCLUSIONS
A pancreatic fatty infiltration of the pancreas over 10% constitutes a risk factor for PF after PD. Age and BMI are useful preoperative predictors of the percentage of pancreatic fat.
Rosso
Edoardo
E
Centre de Chirurgie Viscérale et de Transplantation, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Université Louis Pasteur, Avenue Molière, 67200, Strasbourg, France.
Casnedi
Selenia
S
Pessaux
Patrick
P
Oussoultzoglou
Elie
E
Panaro
Fabrizio
F
Mahfud
Mahfud
M
Jaeck
Daniel
D
Bachellier
Philippe
P
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000473:pathology*; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D010185:Pancreatic Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult