High volume pancreaticoduodenectomy performed at an academic community cancer center.

BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate the post-operative outcomes of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy at a high volume academic community cancer center.

METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy over a 10-year period.

RESULTS: Over 10 years, 213 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Median age was 66y. Most patients had significant comorbidities (median ASA = 3) and were overweight (median BMI = 27). Median operative time and blood loss were 253 min and 500 ml, respectively. 160 (75%) out of 213 patients had a malignant lesion on final pathology. 121 (76%) out of 160 had R0 resection. Median lymph nodes harvested was 13. Overall incidence of DGE was 31% (67/213), with clinically significant DGE in 15% (32/213). Pancreatic leak rate was 18% (37/213), with clinically significant leaks in 10% (21/213). Median length of stay was 8 days. Grade 3/4 morbidity rate was 21% (44/206), and 30-day mortality was 2% (5/213).

CONCLUSIONS: At a high volume academic community cancer center, pancreaticoduodenectomy can be performed with excellent outcomes on par with any academic center or university hospital.