Peri-operative outcomes for pancreatoduodenectomy in India: A multi-centric study

Background: There have been an increasing number of reports world-wide relating improved outcomes after pancreatic resections to high volumes thereby supporting the idea of centralization of pancreatic resectional surgery. To date there has been no collective attempt from India at addressing this issue. This cohort study analysed peri-operative outcomes after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) at seven major Indian centres. Materials and Methods: Between January 2005 and December 2007, retrospective data on PDs, including intra-operative and post-operative factors, were obtained from seven major centres for pancreatic surgery in India. Results: Between January 2005 and December 2007, a total of 718 PDs were performed in India at the seven centres. The median number of PDs performed per year was 34 (range 9-54). The median number of PDs per surgeon per year was 16 (range 7-38). Ninety-four per cent of surgeries were performed for suspected malignancy in the pancreatic head and periampullary region. The median mortality rate per centre was four (range 2-5%). Wound infections were the commonest complication with a median incidence per centre of 18% (range 9.3-32.2%), and the median post-operative duration of hospital stay was 16 days (range 4-100 days). Conclusions: This is the first multi-centric report of peri-operative outcomes of PD from India. The results from these specialist centers are very acceptable, and appear to support the thrust towards centralization.