Risk factors for surgical complications in distal pancreatectomy.
BACKGROUND
Pancreatic fistula (PF) represents a major complication after distal pancreatectomy. In a consecutive series of 110 patients, risk factors for the incidence of PF and surgical morbidity were identified.


METHODS
Patients having undergone distal pancreatectomy between 2003 and 2007 were identified. Clinicopathologic parameters as well as perioperative data were correlated with the incidence of PF and overall surgical morbidity using univariate and multivariate models.


RESULTS
In 72 patients (65%), malignant disease was present. Splenectomy and multivisceral resection were performed in 84 (76%) and 47 (42%) patients, respectively. Overall major surgical morbidity was 18%, and 12 patients (11%) developed PFs. A body mass index > 25 kg/m(2) was the only independent significant predictive factor for PF. Malignancy, splenectomy, multivisceral resection, transfusion, comorbidity, and stapler use did not show statistical significance. For overall surgical morbidity, there was no significant indicator.


CONCLUSIONS
A body mass index > 25 kg/m(2) contributes to the incidence of PF after distal pancreatectomy. Other parameters did not show a significant influence on PF or on overall surgical morbidity.
Seeliger
Hendrik
H
Department of Surgery, Munich University Medical Center, Germany. hendrik.seeliger@med.uni-muenchen.de
Christians
Simone
S
Angele
Martin K
MK
Kleespies
Axel
A
Eichhorn
Martin E
ME
Ischenko
Ivan
I
Boeck
Stefan
S
Heinemann
Volker
V
Jauch
Karl-Walter
KW
Bruns
Christiane J
CJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D010185:Pancreatic Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013156:Splenectomy