Outcome Analysis of Long-Term Survivors Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy

The long-term sequelae of pancreaticoduodenectomy are not completely understood. In the present study nutritional status, pancreatic function, and subjective quality-of-life parameters were evaluated in 45 patients who had previously undergone either pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) or standard pancreaticoduodenectomy (SPD). Quality-of-life parameters, as measured by the Short Form-36 health survey, demonstrated no significant differences between the subgroups and normal control subjects in six of the eight domains for physical and mental health. Patients who had undergone SPD were noted to have significantly lower scores for general health and vitality than either age-matched control subjects or those who had undergone PPPD. No differences in nutritional parameters or indicators of pancreatic exocrine function between the two groups were identified. An elevated hemoglobin A_1C value was seen in only one patient who was not diabetic preoperatively. Our data indicate that long-term survivors of pancreaticoduodenectomy generally feel as good as their normal counterparts, although SPD may result in some health satisfaction deficits. Nutritional status and pancreatic exocrine function are not improved in patients undergoing a pylorus-preserving procedure, and postoperative pancreatic endocrine dysfunction is unusual in both groups.