Published online Sep 14, 2017. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i34.6357
Peer-review started: February 10, 2017
First decision: March 7, 2017
Revised: April 4, 2017
Accepted: May 4, 2017
Article in press: May 5, 2017
Published online: September 14, 2017
Processing time: 216 Days and 6.8 Hours
To investigate potential biomarkers for predicting postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).
We prospectively recruited 83 patients to this study. All patients underwent PD (Child’s procedure) at the Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery at the First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University between June 2011 and April 2015. Data pertaining to demographic variables, clinical characteristics, texture of pancreas, surgical approach, histopathological results, white blood cell count, amylase and choline levels in the serum, pancreatic/gastric drainage fluid, and choline and amylase levels in abdominal drainage fluid were included in the analysis. Potential correlations between these parameters and postoperative complications such as, POPF, acute pancreatitis, hemorrhage, delayed gastric emptying, and biliary fistula, were assessed.
Twenty-eight out of the 83 (33.7%) patients developed POPF. The severity of POPF was classified as Grade A in 8 (28%) patients, grade B in 16 (58%), and grade C in 4 (14%), according to the pancreatic fistula criteria. On univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, higher amylase level in the abdominal drainage fluid on postoperative day (POD)1 and higher serum amylase levels on POD4 showed a significant correlation with POPF (P < 0.05). On receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, amylase cut-off level of 2365.5 U/L in the abdominal drainage fluid was associated with a 78.6% sensitivity and 80% specificity [area under the curve (AUC): 0.844; P = 0.009]. A cut-off serum amylase level of 44.2 U/L was associated with a 78.6% sensitivity and 70.9% specificity (AUC: 0.784; P = 0.05).
Amylase level in the abdominal drainage fluid on POD1 and serum amylase level on POD4 represent novel biomarkers associated with POPF development.
Core tip: In this study, we sought to identify biomarkers that could help predict the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Diagnosis of POPF was based on the International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula criteria. Association between POPF and various clinical and biochemical parameters was assessed. Amylase level in the abdominal drainage fluid on postoperative day 1 and serum amylase level on postoperative day 4 showed a significant association with POPF and represent novel biomarkers associated with POPF development.