Clinical outcomes after total pancreatectomy: a prospective multicenter pan-European snapshot study

Abstract

Objective: To assess outcomes among patients undergoing total pancreatectomy (TP) including predictors for complications and in-hospital mortality. Background: Current studies on TP mostly originate from high-volume centers and span long time periods and therefore may not reflect daily practice. Methods: This prospective pan-European snapshot study included patients who underwent elective (primary or completion) TP in 43 centers in 16 European countries (June 2018-June 2019). Subgroup analysis included cutoff values for annual volume of pancreatoduodenectomies (<60 vs >= 60). Predictors for major complications and in-hospital mortality were assessed in multivariable logistic regression. Results: In total, 277 patients underwent TP, mostly for malignant disease (73%). Major postoperative complications occurred in 70 patients (25%). Median hospital stay was 12 days (IQR 9-18) and 40 patients were readmitted (15%). In-hospital mortality was 5% and 90-day mortality 8%. In the subgroup analysis, in-hospital mortality was lower in patients operated in centers with >= 60 pancreatoduodenectomies compared <60 (4% vs 10%, P = 0.046). In multivariable analysis, annual volume <60 pancreatoduodenectomies (OR 3.78, 95% CI 1.18-12.16, P = 0.026), age (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.14, P = 0.046), and estimated blood loss >= 2L (OR 11.89, 95% CI 2.64-53.61, P = 0.001) were associated with in-hospital mortality. ASA >= 3 (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.56-5.26, P = 0.001) and estimated blood loss >= 2L (OR 3.52, 95% CI 1.25-9.90, P = 0.017) were associated with major complications. Conclusion: This pan-European prospective snapshot study found a 5% inhospital mortality after TP. The identified predictors for mortality, including low-volume centers, age, and increased blood loss, may be used to improve outcomes.