The impact of splenectomy on outcomes after distal and total pancreatectomy
2007

Impact of Splenectomy on Pancreatectomy Outcomes

Sample size: 62 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Koukoutsis Ilias, Tamijmarane Appou, Bellagamba Riccardo, Bramhall Simon, Buckels John, Mirza Darius

Primary Institution: Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplant Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK

Hypothesis

Does spleen preservation affect outcomes after distal and total pancreatectomy?

Conclusion

Spleen-preservation did not influence the outcomes after distal and total pancreatectomy in our series.

Supporting Evidence

  • Splenectomy was performed in 35 out of 62 patients (56.5%).
  • Morbidity rate was 28.6% in the splenectomy group and 14.8% in the no splenectomy group.
  • 30 days mortality rate was 2.9%; one patient died in the splenectomy group.

Takeaway

Removing the spleen during pancreas surgery doesn't seem to change how well patients do afterward.

Methodology

Retrospective analysis of postoperative complications and survival in patients who underwent distal and total pancreatectomy with or without splenectomy.

Potential Biases

Potential selection bias due to exclusion criteria.

Limitations

The study was limited by its retrospective design and small sample size.

Participant Demographics

30 males (48.4%) and 32 females (51.6%), median age 52 years (range 22–87).

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.235

Statistical Significance

p = 0.235

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1477-7819-5-61

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