BackgroundAn increased risk of severe infectious disease and acute antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) has been described after ABOi renal transplantation. We performed a prospective renal transplant study up to 5 years posttransplant to detect long-term immunological effects of rituximab administration.MethodsMononuclear cell subsets in peripheral blood, regional lymph nodes and protocol biopsies, in-vitro T and B cell responses, serum sCD30 and neopterin were assessed in 85 renal transplant recipients (living donation: n=25 ABOi, n=30 ABO compatible (ABOc); deceased donation (DD): n=30, all ABO compatible), and IgG anti-HLA antibodies by single antigen assay in ABOc and ABOi patients.ResultsAn increased frequency of severe infectious diseases in ABOi recipients (doubled versus ABOc within 2 years, P = 0.042) coincided with profoundly downregulated peripheral blood B cell subsets for at least 2 years, impaired in-vitro B cell responses (T-dependent: 2 years, versus ABOc: P = 0.004) and significantly lower CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts (versus ABOc; 6 months, P = 0.046 and 3 months, P = 0.011, respectively). In regional lymph nodes, we found a significant downregulation of naive B cells (P = 0.031) and short lived plasma cells (P<0.0005) at the time of transplantation. In protocol graft biopsies, rituximab induced B cell depletion at 3 months (P<0.001), but counter-regulatory enhanced counts of T cells (P = 0.041), macrophages (P = 0.021) and plasma cells (P = 0.033) at 1 year. This immune activation was associated with a temporary rise in neopterin levels (P ≤ 0.024 versus ABOc, day 14 until 1 year), CD4 helper activity (P = 0.019 versus ABOc at 2 years) and NK cell counts (P = 0.034 versus ABOc, 4 years; P ≤ 0.040 versus DD, 3–5 years), a missing impact of rituximab on sCD30 levels and HLA antibody formation, and an increased frequency of biopsy-proven acute rejection (3–12 months, P = 0.003) and AMR (P = 0.008 within 5 years).ConclusionsAn increased frequency of severe infectious diseases in ABOi renal transplant recipients may be explained by rituximab-induced long-term immunological effects on CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts and the prolonged depletion of B cell subsets together with compromised B cell responses. In protocol graft biopsies, rituximab induced early B cell depletion but counter-regulatory proinflammatory effects coinciding with an increased acute rejection frequency.Registration DetailsClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT01136395; EudraCT, identifier No.: 2009-012198-36.

BACKGROUND:Multidrug-resistant bacteria represent major concerns in perioperative medicine. The extent to which preoperative colonization and postoperative detection of multidrug-resistant bacteria affect outcome in pancreatic surgery is largely unknown. Microbiome analyses provide insights into appropriate perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. METHODS:This was a retrospective, single-center cohort study of patients who underwent elective pancreatic surgery between January 2018 and December 2022 with a complete set of preoperative screening swabs. RESULTS:Of 212 patients, n = 168 (79.25%) were classified as multidrug-resistant negative, whereas 44 (20.75%) were tested multidrug-resistant positive perioperatively. Among these, 19 had preoperative detection of multidrug-resistant bacteria and 25 had postoperative detection of multidrug-resistant bacteria. No differences in baseline characteristics were observed. Inflammatory parameters, including blood leukocytes and C-reactive protein, were elevated perioperatively in patients who were multidrug-resistant positive. Postoperative outcomes were significantly impaired in patients who were multidrug-resistant positive compared with those who were multidrug-resistant negative, including greater rates of pancreatic fistula (grade B/C), postpancreatectomy hemorrhage, and reoperation (all P < .0001). Major complication rates, length of intensive care, and in-hospital stay were increased (all P < .0001). Progression of pancreatic fistula to hemorrhage and reoperation was particularly high in patients who were multidrug-resistant positive (37.84% vs 3.92%; P < .0001). Subgroup analyses revealed no differences in postoperative outcomes between patients who were preoperatively tested multidrug-resistant positive and those who were postoperatively tested multidrug-resistant positive. High intrinsic or acquired bacterial resistance rates were observed against commonly used perioperative antibiotics in pancreatic surgery, including metronidazole/second-generation cephalosporins or piperacillin/tazobactam. CONCLUSION:Both preoperative and postoperative colonization with multidrug-resistant bacteria have deleterious effects on postoperative outcomes. Pancreatic fistula is a crucial cause for severe morbidity in patients who are multidrug-resistant positive. Preoperative decolonization, broad-spectrum perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, and continued postoperative antibiotics should be considered for high-risk pancreatic surgery patients.

BACKGROUND:Sarcopenia and age are risk factors for poor outcomes in acute pancreatitis (aP). However, the role of sarcopenia independent of patients' age remains unclear, and assessment methods vary. AIMS:This study assessed sarcopenia, using the Hounsfield unit average calculation (HUAC) for the psoas muscle, and its impact on aP outcomes, independent of other risk factors. METHODS:208 aP patients who received early computed tomography (CT) were classified as sarcopenic or non-sarcopenic based on HUAC. Propensity score matching (PSM) reduced heterogeneity. Clinical outcomes and independent predictors of intensive care unit (ICU) admission were determined by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS:After PSM, sarcopenic patients (n = 53) had longer hospital (24.9 ± 20.6d vs. 18.2 ± 27.3d; p = 0.0006) and ICU stays (9.5 ± 16.5d vs. 6.2 ± 25.8d; p = 0.0077) than non-sarcopenic patients (n = 53). ICU admission was more frequent (58.5 % vs. 37.7 %; p = 0.0325), and aP-associated morbidity such as pleural effusion occurred more often (p = 0.0019). Independent predictors of ICU admission included pleural effusion or ascites (p = 0.0116) and impaired coagulation (p = 0.0365). CONCLUSION:Sarcopenia identified via HUAC in early aP is associated with a worse clinical outcome. Pleural effusion or ascites and changes in blood coagulation independently predict ICU admission in sarcopenic aP patients. Early nutritional and physical therapy should be considered to prevent and treat sarcopenia in aP patients.

BACKGROUND:Post-lung transplantation (LTx) fluid accumulation can lead to dilution of serum creatinine (SCr). We hypothesized that fluid accumulation might impact the diagnosis, staging, and outcome of posttransplant acute kidney injury (AKI). METHODS:In this retrospective study, we analyzed data from 131 adult LTx patients at a single German lung center between 2005 and 2018. We assessed the occurrence of AKI within 7 days posttransplant, both before and after SCr-adjustment for fluid balance (FB), and investigated its impact on all-cause mortality. Transient and persistent AKIs were defined as return to baseline kidney function or continuation of AKI beyond 72 h of onset, respectively. RESULTS:AKI was diagnosed in 58.8% of patients according to crude SCr values. When considering FB-adjusted SCr values, AKI severity was underestimated in 20.6% of patients, that is, AKI was detected in an additional 6.9% of patients and led to AKI upstaging in 23.4% of cases. Patients initially underestimated but detected with AKI only after FB adjustment had higher mortality compared to those who did not meet AKI criteria (hazard ratio [HR] 2.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06, 8.36; p = 0.038). Persistent AKI was associated with higher mortality than transient AKI, regardless of using crude or adjusted SCr values (p < 0.05). Persistent AKI emerged as an independent risk factor for mortality (HR 2.35; 95% CI 1.29, 4.30; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION:Adjusting for FB and evaluating renal recovery patterns post-AKI may enhance the sensitivity of AKI detection. This approach could help identify patients with poor prognosis and potentially improve outcomes in lung transplant recipients. TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03039959, NCT03046277.

Objective Splenectomy is regularly performed in total and distal pancreatectomy due to technical reasons, lymph node dissection and radicality of the operation. However, the spleen serves as an important organ for competent immune function, and its removal is associated with an increased incidence of cancer and a worse outcome in some cancer entities1–3. The impact of splenectomy in pancreatic cancer is not fully resolved4,5. Methods We therefore compared the outcome of 193 pancreatic cancer patients who underwent total or distal pancreatectomy with (Sp) or without splenectomy (NoSp) between 2015 and 2021 using the StuDoQ|Pancreas registry of the German Society for General and Visceral Surgery. In addition, we integrated our data into the existing literature in a meta-analysis of studies on splenectomy in pancreatic cancer patients. Results There was no difference between the Sp and NoSp groups regarding histopathological parameters, number of examined or affected lymph nodes, or residual tumor status. We observed a significantly prolonged survival in pancreatic cancer patients who underwent total pancreatectomy, when a spleen-preserving operation was performed (median survival: 9.6 vs. 17.3 months, p = 0.03). In this group, splenectomy was identified as an independent risk factor for shorter overall survival [HR (95%CI): 2.4 (1.18–4.9)]. In a meta-analysis of the existing literature in combination with our data, we confirmed splenectomy as a risk factor for a shorter overall survival in pancreatic cancer patients undergoing total pancreatectomy, distal pancreatectomy, or pancreatic head resection [HR (95%CI): 1.53 (1.11–1.95)]. Conclusion Whenever technically possible, preservation of the spleen should be considered during total pancreatectomy for resection of pancreatic cancer, as the spleen seems to affect the long-term survival in this subgroup. The immunological reasons behind this observation deserve further investigation.

Patients with lung cancer are threatened by a broad spectrum of emergencies ranging from long-term complications like vena cava superior syndrome to acute life-threatening complications like dramatic bleeding and airway obstruction. Due to the extent of the tumor, the acute treatment options are—at least in the initial phase—the domains of interventional bronchoscopy and radiology. All emergency practitioners should be familiar with simple airway disobstruction maneuvers such as intubation and/or tracheostomy. Most emergencies related to bronchial carcinoma occur in the setting of palliative management. Nevertheless, thoracic and emergency surgeons should keep in mind that despite an initial dramatic presentation, a radical surgical tumor resection could still be possible in some cases.

Die akute mesenteriale Ischämie ist eine schwerwiegende Erkrankung und führt bei betroffenen Patienten zu einem kritischen Zustand, der unbehandelt rasch in Sepsis, Multiorganversagen und Tod kumuliert. Die Diagnose und Initiierung einer adäquaten Therapie der akuten mesenterialen Ischämie muss so früh und zügig wie möglich und mit dem Prinzip der kürzest möglichen „Zeit bis zur Reperfusion“ erfolgen. Andernfalls verschlechtert sich das Outcome für die Patienten rapide. Der Behandlungsalgorithmus sollte an die Pathogenese der Ischämie, den klinischen Zustand sowie die Symptome der Patienten adaptiert sein. Bei klinischen Anzeichen einer Peritonitis muss von einer Darmgangrän ausgegangen werden und das Abdomen chirurgisch exploriert werden, um frühzeitig mögliche septische Foci zu erkennen und zu behandeln. Die Therapie der akuten Mesenterialischämie sollte durch ein interdisziplinäres Team mit chirurgischen und interventionellen Möglichkeiten der Darmrevaskularisation sowie einer umfassenden Intensivmedizin nach dem Vorbild der in der Literatur beschriebenen „Intestinal Stroke Centers“ erfolgen. Eine kurze Dauer bis zur Revaskularisation und Therapie in diesem interdisziplinären Kontext verbessert das Outcome von Patienten mit akuter Mesenterialischämie. Die World Society of Emergency Surgery formuliert auf Expertenkonsens basierende Empfehlungen für die Diagnose und Behandlung der akuten mesenterialen Ischämie. Es besteht jedoch weiterhin ein erheblicher Mangel an breiter, qualitativ hochwertiger Evidenz für diese kritische Erkrankung. Empfehlungen deutscher Fachgesellschaften sind dringend erforderlich, um eine angemessene Versorgung – von initialer Diagnostik über Therapie bis zur Nachsorge – von Patienten mit dem Verdacht auf eine akute Mesenterialischämie hierzulande sicherzustellen.

Purpose The association between sarcopenia of kidney transplant recipients and outcome after kidney transplantation (KT) has not yet been fully understood and is still considered controversial. The aim of our study was to analyze the impact of pre-transplant sarcopenia on graft function, postoperative complication rates, and survival of the patients after renal transplantation. Methods In this retrospective single-center study, all patients who underwent KT (01/2013–12/2017) were included. Demographic data, rejection rates, delayed graft function, and graft and patient survival rates were analyzed. Sarcopenia was measured in computed tomography images by the sex-adjusted Hounsfield unit average calculation (HUAC). Results During the study period, 111 single KTs (38 women and 73 men) were performed. Living donor kidney transplants were performed in 48.6%. In total, 32.4% patients had sarcopenia. Sarcopenic patients were significantly older (59.6 years vs. 49.8 years; p < 0.001), had a higher body mass index (BMI = 27.6 kg/m 2 vs. 25.0 kg/m 2 ; p = 0.002), and were more likely to receive deceased donor kidneys (72.2% vs. 41.3%; p = 0.002). Interestingly, 3 years after KT, the creatinine serum levels were significantly higher (2.0 mg/dl vs. 1.5 mg/dl; p = 0.001), whereas eGFR (39.9 ml/min vs. 53.4 ml/min; p = 0.001) and graft survival were significantly lower ( p = 0.004) in sarcopenic transplant recipients. Sarcopenic patients stayed in hospital significantly longer postoperatively than those who were non-sarcopenic. Conclusions At the time of kidney transplantation, sarcopenia was found to predict reduced long-term graft function and diminished graft survival after KT. The early identification of sarcopenic patients can not only enable an optimized selection of recipients, but also the initiation of pre-habilitation programs during the waiting period.

Background In contrast to adults, the situation for pediatric trauma care from an international point of view and the global management of severely injured children remain rather unclear. The current study investigates structural management of pediatric trauma in centers of different trauma levels as well as experiences with pediatric trauma management around the world. Methods A web-survey had been distributed to the global mailing list of the World Society of Emergency Surgery from 10/2021–03/2022, investigating characteristics of respondents and affiliated hospitals, case-load of pediatric trauma patients, capacities and infrastructure for critical care in children, trauma team composition, clinical work-up and individual experiences with pediatric trauma management in response to patients´ age. The collaboration group was subdivided regarding sizes of affiliated hospitals to allow comparisons concerning hospital volumes. Comparable results were conducted to statistical analysis. Results A total of 133 participants from 34 countries, i.e. 5 continents responded to the survey. They were most commonly affiliated with larger hospitals (> 500 beds in 72.9%) and with level I or II trauma centers (82.0%), respectively. 74.4% of hospitals offer unrestricted pediatric medical care, but only 63.2% and 42.9% of the participants had sufficient experiences with trauma care in children ≤ 10 and ≤ 5 years of age ( p = 0.0014). This situation is aggravated in participants from smaller hospitals ( p < 0.01). With regard to hospital size (≤ 500 versus > 500 in-hospital beds), larger hospitals were more likely affiliated with advanced trauma centers, more elaborated pediatric intensive care infrastructure ( p < 0.0001), treated children at all ages more frequently ( p = 0.0938) and have higher case-loads of severely injured children < 12 years of age ( p = 0.0009). Therefore, the majority of larger hospitals reserve either pediatric surgery departments or board-certified pediatric surgeons ( p < 0.0001) and in-hospital trauma management is conducted more multi-disciplinarily. However, the majority of respondents does not feel prepared for treatment of severe pediatric trauma and call for special educational and practical training courses (overall: 80.2% and 64.3%, respectively). Conclusions Multi-professional management of pediatric trauma and individual experiences with severely injured children depend on volumes, level of trauma centers and infrastructure of the hospital. However, respondents from hospitals at all levels of trauma care complain about an alarming lack of knowledge on pediatric trauma management.

Die World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) und die American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) haben 2019 im Rahmen der WSES-AAST-Konsensuskonferenz in Parma, Italien die Erstauflage der Leitlinie zur Diagnostik und Therapie anorektaler Notfälle verabschiedet und 2021 publiziert. Dabei handelt es sich um die erste globale Leitlinie zu diesem für den Chirurgen so relevanten Thema. Dabei wurden sieben Erkrankungen diskutiert und die entsprechenden Therapieempfehlungen nach dem GRADE-Konzept (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) ausgesprochen.

In 2019, the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) and the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) generated consensus recommendations for the treatment of anorectal emergencies in Parma, Italy, and published a guideline in 2021. This is the first global guideline dealing with this important topic for surgeons' everyday work. Seven anorectal emergencies were discussed and the guideline recommendations were given according to the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) system.

Antibiotic therapy following surgical perianal abscess drainage is debated, but may be necessary for high-risk patients. Frailty has been shown to increase the risk of unfavorable outcomes in elderly surgical patients. This study aims to identify high-risk patients by retrospectively analyzing a single-center cohort and using a pretherapeutic score to predict the need for postoperative antibiotics and extended nursing care following perianal abscess drainage surgery. The perianal sepsis risk score was developed through univariable and multivariable analysis. Internal validation was assessed using the area under receiver-operating characteristic curve. Elderly, especially frail patients exhibited more severe perianal disease, higher frequency of antibiotic therapy, longer hospitalization, poorer clinical outcomes. Multivariable analysis revealed that scores in the 5-item modified frailty index, severity of local infection, and preoperative laboratory markers of infection independently predicted the need for prolonged hospitalization and anti-infective therapy after abscess drainage surgery. These factors were combined into the perianal sepsis risk score, which demonstrated better predictive accuracy for prolonged hospitalization and antibiotic therapy compared with chronological age or frailty status alone. Geriatric assessments are becoming increasingly important in clinical practice. The perianal sepsis risk score identifies high-risk patients before surgery, enabling early initiation of antibiotic therapy and allocation of additional nursing resources.

Acute mesenteric ischemia is a severe illness, which if untreated, rapidly leads to a critical condition with sepsis, multiple organ failure and death in affected patients. The diagnosis and initiation of treatment of acute mesenteric ischemia should be performed as early and expeditiously as possible and follows the principle of the shortest possible time to reperfusion. Otherwise, the outcome of the patient rapidly deteriorates. The treatment algorithm should be adapted to the pathogenesis of the ischemia, the clinical condition and symptoms of the patients. With clinical signs of peritonitis, intestinal gangrene must be assumed and the abdomen should be surgically explored to detect and treat possible foci of sepsis at an early stage. The treatment of acute mesenteric ischemia should always be performed by an interdisciplinary team with all surgical and interventional options for intestinal revascularization as well as comprehensive intensive care medicine according to the standards of the Intestinal Stroke Center described in the literature. A short duration to revascularization and treatment in this interdisciplinary concept improves the outcome of patients with acute mesenteric ischemia. The World Society of Emergency Surgery provides expert consensus-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of acute mesenteric ischemia; however, there is still a significant lack of broad high-quality evidence for this critical illness. Recommendations of the German specialist societies are urgently needed to ensure appropriate care, from the initial diagnostics to treatment and aftercare, for patients with suspected mesenteric ischemia in this country.

Objective:The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) plays a central role in host defense against infections. High systemic IL-1β levels, however, promote the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders. Therefore, mechanisms controlling IL-1β release are of substantial clinical interest. Recently, we identified a cholinergic mechanism inhibiting the ATP-mediated IL-1β release by human monocytes via nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits α7, α9 and/or α10. We also discovered novel nAChR agonists that trigger this inhibitory function in monocytic cells without eliciting ionotropic functions at conventional nAChRs. Here, we investigate the ion flux-independent signaling pathway that links nAChR activation to the inhibition of the ATP-sensitive P2X7 receptor (P2X7R).Methods:Different human and murine mononuclear phagocytes were primed with lipopolysaccharide and stimulated with the P2X7R agonist BzATP in the presence or absence of nAChR agonists, endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) inhibitors, and NO donors. IL-1β was measured in cell culture supernatants. Patch-clamp and intracellular Ca2+ imaging experiments were performed on HEK cells overexpressing human P2X7R or P2X7R with point mutations at cysteine residues in the cytoplasmic C-terminal domain.Results:The inhibitory effect of nAChR agonists on the BzATP-induced IL-1β release was reversed in the presence of eNOS inhibitors (L-NIO, L-NAME) as well as in U937 cells after silencing of eNOS expression. In peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes from eNOS gene-deficient mice, the inhibitory effect of nAChR agonists was absent, suggesting that nAChRs signal via eNOS to inhibit the BzATP-induced IL-1β release. Moreover, NO donors (SNAP, S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine; SIN-1) inhibited the BzATP-induced IL-1β release by mononuclear phagocytes. The BzATP-induced ionotropic activity of the P2X7R was abolished in the presence of SIN-1 in both, Xenopus laevis oocytes and HEK cells over-expressing the human P2X7R. This inhibitory effect of SIN-1 was absent in HEK cells expressing P2X7R, in which C377 was mutated to alanine, indicating the importance of C377 for the regulation of the P2X7R function by protein modification.Conclusion:We provide first evidence that ion flux-independent, metabotropic signaling of monocytic nAChRs involves eNOS activation and P2X7R modification, resulting in an inhibition of ATP signaling and ATP-mediated IL-1β release. This signaling pathway might be an interesting target for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

Background: An increased frequency of severe infectious diseases and BK viremia has been described after ABOi renal transplantation. As rituximab induction may alter immunoregulation in these patients, we analyzed clinically relevant immune parameters in a prospective renal transplant study up to 5 years posttransplant. Materials and Methods: Mononuclear cell subsets (peripheral blood; lymph nodes taken during transplant surgery), intracellular cytokine responses, CD4 helper function and in-vitro B cell responses were assessed pretransplant and up to 5 years posttransplant in 85 renal transplant recipients (living donation: n=25 ABO incompatible (ABOi) and n=30 ABO compatible (ABOc); deceased donation (DD): n=30, all ABO compatible). Results: Severe infectious diseases occurred more often in ABOi than ABOc recipients within 2 years posttransplant (11/24 (46%) versus 6/30 (20%), P=0.042) but not beyond. The incidence of BK viremia was significantly enhanced in rituximab versus non-rituximab treated patients (1 year: 9/29 (31%) versus 4/54 (7%), P=0.009; 5 years: 10/30 (33%) versus 7/53 (13%), P=0.029). After rituximab induction in ABOi recipients, counts of peripheral blood B cell subsets were profoundly downregulated even 3 years posttransplant and reached the level of non-ABOi recipients after 4 years (memory B cells after 5 years). T-dependent and T-independent B cell responses were significantly impaired in ABOi patients up to 2 years posttransplant (P=0.010 and P=0.053, respectively) whereas CD4 helper activity was not compromised. CD4+ T cell counts were significantly lower in ABOi compared to ABOc recipients at 3 and 6 months (P=0.025 and P=0.046, respectively), but showed no differences in the percentage of Tregs. In regional lymph nodes of ABOi patients, we found a significant downregulation of CD20+ but not CD19+ B cells (P<0.0005), of naive B cells (P=0.031) and short lived plasma cells (P<0.0005) at the time of transplantation. Conclusion: An increased frequency of severe infectious diseases and BK viremia in rituximab treated ABOi renal transplant recipients may be explained by significantly downregulated CD4+ T cell counts up to 6 months and a profoundly delayed B cell repopulation, most pronounced with regard to memory B cells, together with compromised B cell responses up to 2 years posttransplant. IL-10, as a key player in chronic BK virus infection, was not upregulated in rituximab-treated ABOi transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND:Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is one of the most common complications after pancreatic head resection. It leads to increased length of hospital stay, high costs for healthcare systems and reduced quality of life. The primary aim of the study was to assess the impact of pylorus preservation, respectively resection on the occurrence of DGE in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).METHODS:All cases of pylorus-resecting PD (PRPD) and pylorus-preserving PD (PPPD) entered in the StuDoQ|Pancreas nationwide registry of the German Society of General and Visceral Surgery from 01/01/2014 until 31/12/2018 including demographics, surgical techniques, histopathological and perioperative data were retrospectively analyzed. This study was approved by the ethics committee of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.RESULTS:Data of 5,080 patients were enrolled. PPPD was the method of choice (70.4%). Pylorus preservation had no impact on the occurrence of DGE (20.3% vs. 21.5%, P=0.33), but further risk factors could be identified. The comparison of PPPD and PRPD groups showed statistically significant differences in the surgical approach (primary open approach, 94.8% vs. 98.0%, P<0.001), duration of surgery (326.4 vs. 352.1 minutes, P<0.001), technique of pancreatic anastomosis (pancreaticojejunostomy vs. pancreaticojejunostomy), 78.6% vs. 85.2%, P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS:Patient factors, intraoperative factors, duration of surgery and postoperative factors (postoperative pancreatic fistula, biliary leakage and other surgical complications) were identified as risk factors for DGE. Future research should focus on register-based, prospective, randomised-controlled studies such as the currently recruiting "PyloResPres trial".