C-reactive protein and drain amylase accurately predict clinically relevant pancreatic fistula after partial pancreaticoduodenectomy (retrospective cohort study).

•CRP, procalcitonin on postoperative days (POD) 1–3 and drain amylase on POD 1 were evaluated among 188 patients undergoing partial pancreaticoduodenectomy.•Drain amylase on POD 1 > 303 U/l (OR 0.045, 95% CI 0.010–0.195) and CRP > 203 mg/l (OR 0.098, 95% CI 0.041–0.235) were independent predictors of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula.•The combination of CRP on POD 3 and drain amylase on POD 1 had a sensitivity and specificity of 87.4% and 90.9% to predict relevant POPF.