Enucleation of Pancreatic Lesions: Indications, Outcomes, and Risk Factors for Clinical Pancreatic Fistula

There are few large samples and single-center series that focus on the outcomes of pancreatic enucleation and risk factors for clinical pancreatic fistula (PF). This study aimed to evaluate the indications, short- and long-term results, and risk factors for clinical PF after pancreatic enucleation. Patients who underwent pancreatic enucleation from January 2005 to April 2011 at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital in China were included. Clinical data were collected and analyzed. A total of 119 patients underwent enucleation. PF was the most common complication; the incidence of clinical PF (grades B and C) was 27.7 %. The most common indications were endocrine neoplasms (76.5 %). During a median follow-up of 41 months, no patient developed exocrine insufficiency. Three elderly patients developed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. One patient with VIPoma developed recurrence and liver metastasis. New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II or III (P = 0.009; hazard ratio (HR) 3.191; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.334-7.632), operative time a parts per thousand yen180 min (P = 0.025; HR 2.664; 95 % CI 1.112-6.386) were the independent risk factors for clinical PF. Enucleation is a safe and effective treatment for benign and low malignant lesions of the pancreas. NYHA class II or III and operation time of a parts per thousand yen180 min are independent risk factors for clinical PF.