Evaluation of a predictive model for pancreatic fistula based on amylase value in drains after pancreatic resection.

BACKGROUND Amylase value in drains (AVD) is a predictor of pancreatic fistula (PF). We evaluated the accuracy of an AVD-based model. METHODS Two hundred thirty-one patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy with pancreaticojejunostomy (PDPJ) or pancreatoduodenectomy with duct-to-mucosa (PDDTM) and distal pancreatectomy (DP). Patients with AVD greater than 5,000 U/L on postoperative day (POD) 1 underwent AVD measurement on POD5. RESULTS Sensitivity and specificity of POD1 AVD greater than 5,000 in predicting PF were 71% and 90%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of POD5 AVD greater than 200 were 90% and 83%, respectively. AVD greater than 1,000 (for PDPJ) and 2,000 U/L (PDDTM and DP) represented the most accurate cutoffs on POD1. AVD greater than 200 (PDPJ), 300 (PDDTM), and 50 U/L (DP) represented the cutoffs with the highest sensitivity in predicting PF on POD5. CONCLUSION AVD-based model for predicting PF after pancreatic resection is an accurate tool, although AVD cutoffs should be evaluated for each type of operation.