Higher cumulative fluid following a pancreaticoduodenectomy as a single modifiable factor for post-operative pancreatic fistula: An analysis of risk factor

Abstract

Background: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is one of the major complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy. There have been many studies into the risk factors determining POPF. Some studies have reported a higher peri-operative fluid balance associated with POPF, however, the pertinent findings remain controversial. The aims of this study were to determine risk factors of clinically relevant-post operative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy and an association between peri-operative fluid balance and the incidence of CR-POPF. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective cohort study included all adult patients who underwent an elective open pancreaticoduodenectomy in our center from 2005 to 2018. Patients who did not have POPF related data were excluded from study. We divided patients into CR-POPF and no CR-POPF group. Peri-operative data including amount and type of fluid were compared between two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors of CR-POPF. Results: There were 223 pancreaticoduodenectomies done in our center during that period. The incidence of CR-POPF was 15.2 %. Patients in CR-POPF group had significant higher BMI, higher serum globulin level, smaller pancreatic duct diameter and higher cumulative fluid balance per body weight (FBPBW) at post-operative day 3. Multivariable analysis showed BMI >23 kg/m2, diagnosis other than pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma or chronic pancreatitis and higher cumulative FBPBW at post-operative day 3 were the independent risk factors for CR-POPF. Conclusions: Post-operative fluid balance was the post-operative modifiable risk factor to reduce CR-POPF. Higher positive post-operative fluid balance should be avoided especially in higher CR-POPF risk patients.