Pasireotide administration after pancreaticoduodenectomy may decrease clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula in high-risk patients with small pancreatic ducts, soft pancreatic parenchyma and cystic or neuroendocrine neoplasia.

OBJECTIVES

Post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a feared complication after a pancreaticoduodenectomy. Previously in a randomized trial found fewer clinically relevant fistulas (CR-POPF) accompanying administration of perioperative pasireotide. Our hospital previously found that the risk for CR-POPF reached 7% in pancreaticoduodenectomy patients. Here, we aimed to determine the CR-POPF rate accompanying prophylactic pasireotide in patients with a normal pancreas at resection level.

METHODS

In this clinical study, perioperative pasireotide was administered to pancreaticoduodenectomy patients treated between 1 July 2014 and 30 April 2016. High-risk individuals were defined preoperatively by the surgeon based on the following: no dilatation of the pancreatic duct, suspected soft pancreas and a cystic or neuroendocrine tumor at the head of the pancreas. If the pancreas was considered hard at surgery, thereby carrying a lower risk for fistula, pasireotide was discontinued following one preoperative 900-μg dose. Among high-risk patients, pasireotide was continued for one week or until discharge from the hospital.

RESULTS

During the study period, 153/215 pancreatic operations were pancreaticoduodenectomies, 58 (38%) of which were considered high risk for developing clinically significant pancreatic fistula. Among these, 4 (2.6%) developed a grade B or C fistula: 2 in the pasireotide group [3.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4-11.9%], 1 in the low-risk group (1.2%, 95% CI 0.0-6.4%; difference: 2.3%, 95% CI -6.4-17.3%) and 1 in the discontinued group (10%).

CONCLUSION

We found similar rates of CR-POPF among high- and low-risk patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy when using prophylactic perioperative pasireotide in high-risk patients.