A Novel Radiological Predictor for Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula After Stapled Distal Pancreatectomy

Background Distal pancreatectomy (DP) is the main surgical treatment of benign and malignant lesions located in pancreatic body and tail. Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) following DP is still a considerable cause of morbidity. Identification of risk factors for POPF after DP might provide some preventive applications. We aimed to evaluate the factors affecting POPF after DP and to present a new and easy radiological predictive factor. Materials and Methods Thirty-four patients underwent DP with stapler closure were included. Several risk factors for clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF) were analyzed. Additionally, computed tomography findings of pancreatic thickness (PT), main pancreatic duct diameter (MPDD), and PT/MPDD ratio were evaluated for POPF. Results CR-POPF was observed in 10 patients (29.4%). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that previous abdominal surgery and PT/MPDD ratio were predictive factors for CR-POPF after DP ( P = 0.040, P = 0.034, respectively). The cutoff value for the PT/MPDD ratio was 8. Conclusion A PT/MPDD ratio greater than 8 (a wide pancreas with a narrow duct) is a significant predictive factor for CR-POPF following DP.