Management and prevention of delayed gastric emptying after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Standard Adult Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy Criteria Is Applicable for Partial Meal Ingestion

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Gastric emptying scintigraphy is commonly performed to assess for dysmotility. A standardized meal with associated threshold criteria was established in 2000 to enable robust interpretation. However, no guidance is available to interpret results when patients do not ingest the entire meal. The purpose of this study is to determine the continued appropriateness of the threshold criteria in contemporary clinical practice and its relevance for partially ingested meals.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed patients (n = 1365 total) who underwent solid-phase gastric emptying scintigraphy at an academic medical center. Patients were stratified based on their completion of the standard meal. Patients were further stratified into normal and delayed gastric emptying cohorts based on the current criteria. Percent gastric retention values at 1, 2, 3, and 4 h were compared.

RESULTS

Median (95% upper reference) normal gastric retention values for the complete standard meal were 64% (87%) at 1 h, 25% (60%) at 2 h, 13% (54%) at 3 h and 4% (9%) at 4 h. Consumption of at least 50% of the standard meal yielded similar retention; 53% (86%) at 1 h, 19% (58%) at 2 h, 6% (29%) at 3 h and 3% (10%) at 4 h. There was no significant age- or gender-specific differences using the current criteria, and no differences were observed based on diabetic status. Retention values matched well with the current criteria and validated with data-driven clustering.

CONCLUSION

Adult normative standards for gastric emptying scintigraphy are appropriate for differentiating normal and delayed populations and can be applied to partial meals with at least 50% completion.

Characterizing gastrointestinal dysfunction after pancreatic resection: a single-center retrospective study

Background

There are many well-described potential gastrointestinal (GI) side effects of pancreatic resection that can cause patients to suffer from chronic malabsorption, diarrhea, and persistent nausea. These GI symptoms can affect postoperative recovery, initiation of adjuvant therapy, and overall quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this study is to quantify the incidence of post-procedural complications and identify patients at higher risk for experiencing GI dysfunction after pancreatectomy.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients who underwent pancreatic resection at a single institution between January 2014 and December 2019 was performed. Demographics, operative factors, and postoperative gastrointestinal symptomatology and treatments were obtained by chart review. Significance tests were performed to compare GI dysfunction between patient subgroups.

Results

A total of 545 patients underwent pancreatic resection; within the cohort 451 patients (83%) underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and the most common indication was pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Two-thirds of patients (67%) reported gastrointestinal symptoms persisting beyond hospitalization. Only 105 patients (20%) were referred to gastroenterology for evaluation with 30 patients (5.5%) receiving a formal diagnosis. Patients who underwent PD were more likely to report GI symptoms and patients who identified as Caucasian were more likely to be referred to gastroenterology for evaluation.

Conclusions

Gastrointestinal dysfunction after pancreatic resection occurs frequently yet only a small percentage of patients are referred for formal testing and diagnosis. There also appears to be a racial difference in referral patterns. Patients would benefit if earlier attention was dedicated to the diagnosis and corresponding treatment for postoperative digestive health disorders to optimize treatment planning and QOL.

WHAT FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO DELAYED GASTRIC EMPTYING AFTER DUODENOPANCREATECTOMY WITH PILORIC PRESERVATION?

Background:

The delay in gastric emptying is the second most frequent complication after duodenopancreatectomy with pyloric preservation, that increases hospitalization time and hospital costs.

Aim:

To identify factors that contribute to the appearance the delay in this surgical procedure.

Method:

Ninety-five patients were submitted to duodenopancreatectomy with pyloric preservation. After retrospective analysis of the medical records, it was observed that 60 had prolonged hospitalization due to complications. Thus, univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze predictors of delayed gastric emptying.

Results:

Delay was present in 65% (n=39) and pancreatic fistula in 38.3% (n=23). Univariate analysis revealed that the presence of pancreatic complications (pancreatic fistula, p=0.01), other intracavitary complications with the appearance of abdominal collections (p=0.03) and hypoalbuminemia (p=0.06) were responsible, also confirmed by the multivariate analysis. In those who presented delay without a determined cause, it was observed that high levels of total bilirubin (p=0.01) and direct bilirubin (p=0.01) could be related to it.

Conclusion:

The delay in gastric emptying in patients undergoing duodenopancreatectomy with pyloric preservation is due to intracavitary complications.

Treatment Modalities and the Role of Endoscopy for Delayed Gastric Emptying After Whipple Operation: Analysis of 53 Patients

BACKGROUND

Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is one of the most common complications after Whipple surgery. This situation delays postoperative oral food intake and prolongs hospitalization. Postoperative DGE often develops due to complications such as intra-abdominal abscess, collections, and anastomosis leaks, and these are called secondary DGE. The pathogenesis of primary DGE is still unknown, and there are insufficient data in the literature about the treatment. In this study, patients undergoing Whipple operation were examined separately as primary and secondary DGE. We discussed the causes and treatments of these patients, and also we aimed to present the therapeutic effect of endoscopy for primary DGE after the Whipple procedure.

METHODS

From March 2014 to March 2018, data of 262 patients who underwent the Whipple procedure were collected prospectively. We observed that postoperative DGE developed in 53 (21.7%) patients. We retrospectively divided the patients by etiology into 2 groups as primary and secondary and graded DGE according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery. We defined patients who did not have secondary causes such as intra-abdominal abscess as primary DGE. Appropriate interventional procedures were performed for patients with secondary causes. We performed endoscopic intervention with therapeutic intent for patients who had primary DGE.

RESULTS

The overall rate of DGE was 21.7% (n = 53) among 262 patients undergoing the Whipple procedure. It was observed that in 31 (58.5%) of these 53 patients, DGE was developed due to secondary causes. Interventional procedures were performed to these patients when necessary. A total of 22 (41.5%) patients developed primary DGE. Of these, 9 patients were grade A, 7 were grade B, and 6 were grade C. The mean duration of hospitalization for secondary DGE and primary DGE was 20.36 and 28.7 days, respectively. After endoscopic intervention with therapeutic intent to primary DGE patients, we observed that patients tolerated solid meal after 12 hours in grade B and after 26 hours in grade C patients.

CONCLUSION

Delayed gastric emptying, which is a common complication after Whipple operation and which deteriorates the quality of life and prolongs the duration of hospital stay, should be treated according to the cause. In secondary DGE, treatment modalities must be focused on intra-abdominal causes such as hematoma, collection, and abcess. We suggest that the primary DGE which is unresponsive to medical treatments could be treated endoscopically. After endoscopic intervention, patients with primary DGE can be started oral intake on the same day and discharged more quickly.

Early vs Late Readmissions in Pancreaticoduodenectomy Patients: Recognizing Comprehensive Episodic Cost to Help Guide Bundled Payment Plans and Hospital Resource Allocation

INTRODUCTION

Previous studies on readmission cost in pancreaticoduodenectomy patients use estimated cost data and do not delineate etiology or cost differences between early and late readmissions. We sought to identify relationships between postoperative complication type and readmission timing and cost in pancreaticoduodenectomy patients.

METHODS

Hospital cost data from date of discharge to postoperative day 90 were merged with 2008-2018 NSQIP data. Early readmission was within 30 days of surgery, and late readmission was 30 to 90 days from surgery. Regression analyses for readmission controlled for patient comorbidities, complications, and surgeon.

RESULTS

Of 230 patients included, 58 (25%) were readmitted. The mean early and late readmission costs were $18,365 ± $20,262 and $24,965 ± $34,435, respectively. Early readmission was associated with index stay deep vein thrombosis (p < 0.01), delayed gastric emptying (p < 0.01), and grade B pancreatic fistula (p < 0.01). High-cost early readmission had long hospital stays or invasive procedures. Common late readmission diagnoses were grade B pancreatic fistula requiring drainage (n = 5, 14%), failure to thrive (n = 4, 14%), and bowel obstruction requiring operation (n = 3, 11%). High-cost late readmissions were associated with chronic complications requiring reoperation.

CONCLUSION

Early and late readmissions following pancreaticoduodenectomy differ in both etiology and cost. Early readmission and cost are driven by common complications requiring percutaneous intervention while late readmission and cost are driven by chronic complications and reoperation. Late readmissions are frequent and a significant source of resource utilization. Negotiations of bundled care payment plans should account for significant late readmission resource utilization.

Risk factors for post-pancreaticoduodenectomy delayed gastric emptying in the absence of pancreatic fistula or intra-abdominal infection

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) occurs commonly following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), but the rate of DGE in the absence of other intra-abdominal complications is poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to define the incidence of DGE and identify risk factors for DGE in patients without pancreatic fistula or other intra-abdominal infections.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study utilizing the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program pancreatectomy variables to identify patients with DGE following PD without evidence of fistula or intra-abdominal infection. Multivariable models were developed to assess preoperative, intraoperative, and technical factors associated with DGE.

RESULTS

The rate of DGE was 11.7% in 10502 cases without pancreatic fistula or intra-abdominal infection. Patients were more likely to develop DGE if age ≥75 (odds ratio [OR], 1.22; P = 0.003), male (OR, 1.29; P < 0.001), underwent pylorus-sparing PD (OR, 1.27; P = 0.004), or had a prolonged operative time (OR, 1.38 if greater than seven vs less than 5 hours; P = 0.005). Factors not associated with DGE included BMI, pathologic indication, and surgical approach.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of DGE after PD is notable even in patients without other abdominal complications. Identification of patients at increased risk for DGE may aid patient counseling as well as decisions regarding surgical technique, enteral feeding access, and enhanced-recovery pathways.

Monitoring gastric myoelectric activity after pancreaticoduodenectomy for diet "readiness"

Postoperative delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a frustrating complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). We studied whether monitoring of postoperative gastric motor activity using a novel wireless patch system can identify patients at risk for DGE. Patients ( n = 81) were prospectively studied since 2016; 75 patients total were analyzed for this study. After PD, battery-operated wireless patches (G-Tech Medical) that acquire gastrointestinal myoelectrical signals are placed on the abdomen and transmit data by Bluetooth. Patients were divided into early and late groups by diet tolerance of 7 days [enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) goal]. Subgroup analysis was done of patients included after ERAS initiation. The early and late groups had 50 and 25 patients, respectively, with a length of stay (LOS) of 7 and 11 days ( P < 0.05). Nasogastric insertion was required in 44% of the late group. Tolerance of food was noted by 6 versus 9 days in the early versus late group ( P < 0.05) with higher cumulative gastric myoelectrical activity. Diminished gastric myoelectrical activity accurately identified delayed tolerance to regular diet in a logistical regression analysis [area under the curve (AUC): 0.81; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.74-0.92]. The gastric myoelectrical activity also identified a delayed LOS status with an AUC of 0.75 (95% CI, 0.67-0.88). This stomach signal continued to be predictive in 90% of the ERAS cohort, despite earlier oral intake. Measurement of gastric activity after PD can distinguish patients with shorter or longer times to diet. This noninvasive technology provides data to identify patients at risk for DGE and may guide the timing of oral intake by gastric "readiness." NEW & NOTEWORTHY Limited clinical indicators exist after pancreaticoduodenectomy to allow prediction of delayed gastric emptying (DGE). This study introduces a novel, noninvasive, wireless patch system capable of accurately monitoring gastric myoelectric activity after surgery. This system can differentiate patients with longer or shorter times to a regular diet as well as provide objective data to identify patients at risk for DGE. This technology has the potential to individualize feeding regimens based on gastric activity patterns to improve outcomes.

Sarcopenia is associated with a greater incidence of delayed gastric emptying following pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Sarcopenia is the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle and has been associated with a variety of post-operative complications. We propose sarcopenia is associated with delayed gastric emptying (DGE) following elective pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a computerised database maintained in real time of all patients undergoing PD within our hepatobiliary unit was performed. The cross-sectional area of the psoas muscle at the upper border of L3 was calculated and corrected for patient height. The lowest quartile of gender specific groups was considered to be sarcopenic.

RESULTS

61 patients were included, 32 male and 29 female of whom 8 from each group were sarcopenic (26.2%). Although the sarcopenic and non-sarcopenia groups were found to be comparable, significantly more sarcopenic patients were older (75 vs 64 years, p = 0.003), had a lower body mass index (21.9 vs 25.0 kg/m², p = 0.003) and suffered from DGE (7/16 vs 8/45, p = 0.045). On multivariate analysis, these variables maintained their significance with DGE having an OR of 6.042 (p = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

Sarcopenia is significantly associated with DGE, older age and lower BMI in this specific cohort of patients. Further research into the reversibility of this phenomenon is warranted.