Risk factors of post‐operative diarrhoea in patients with pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background

Post-operative diarrhoea is a common adverse event after pancreatic surgery. While the risk factors for this condition have been identified, the increasing trend of administering chemotherapy before surgery might change these factors. This study aimed to identify the risk factors of post-operative diarrhoea in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and pancreatectomy because of PDAC between 2021 and 2023 were included. The preoperative characteristics of, operative details of and post-operative outcomes in patients with and without post-operative diarrhoea were collected and compared. The independent risk factors of post-operative diarrhoea were identified using logistic regression analysis. STROBE checklist was used.

Results

Post-operative diarrhoea occurred in 65 out of 145 (44.8%) patients during hospitalization. Elevated white blood cell count, advanced tumour stage, and late abdominal drain removal were independent risk factors for post-operative diarrhoea (p < .001, p = .006 and p = .009, respectively).

Conclusions

Some perioperative factors influence post-operative diarrhoea in patients who undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy. More attention should be paid to patients at a higher risk of post-operative diarrhoea, with an emphasis on high-quality management for these patients.