Risk factors for failure of early recovery from pancreatoduodenectomy despite the use of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols and a physical aging score to predict postoperative risks.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are beneficial for pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). Our aim was to evaluate risk factors associated with ERAS protocol failure after PD.

METHODS: Clinical variables of 187 patients managed using ERAS protocols between April 2011 and April 2017, including non-early recovery (non-ER) patients, with complications or requiring a hospital stay ≥15 days, and early recovery (ER) patients, were compared. A physical aging (PA) score was devised to predict postoperative risks.

RESULTS: Independent risk factors of complications were a pre-albumin level ≤18 mg/dl (odds ratio (OR) 2.197; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.052-4.622), and an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score ≥II (OR 2.195; 95% CI 1.052-4.746). Independent risk factors for hospital stay ≥15 days (P < 0.001) were age ≥70 years (OR 2.438; 95% CI 1.122-5.299) and an ASA score ≥II (OR 2.348; 95% CI 1.109-4.968). The PA score included age, ASA score, and pre-albumin level. The complication rate for each PA score was as follows: score "0", 12.1%; score "1", 18.2%; score "2", 26.9%; score "3", 30.8%; and score "≥4", 47.2%.

CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age, poor nutrition, and serious illnesses can cause ERAS protocol failure. The PA score is effective for predicting postoperative progress.