Procalcitonin Reveals Early Dehiscence in Pancreatic Surgery: the PREDIPS Study

Procalcitonin Reveals Early Dehiscence in Pancreatic Surgery: the PREDIPS Study

Background. Pancreatic cancer surgery is associated with very high risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Anastomotic leak (AL) is one of the worst complications associated with relevant short and long-term sequelae. Procalcitonin (PCT) is a biomarker used to monitor bacterial infections and guide antibiotic therapy and has been shown to have better predictive value of AL after colorectal surgery than C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC).

Purpose. The investigators designed a monocentric pilot study to test if PCT might be a sensitive and reliable marker of AL after pancreatic surgery

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients undergoing all different kinds of pancreatic surgery
• in elective setting
• for cancer
• with a pancreatic anastomosis performed.

Exclusion Criteria:

• age < 18 years
• pregnant women
• patients undergoing pancreatic surgery for benign disease, other kinds of pancreatic surgery without an anastomosis being performed