Serum amylase on the night of surgery predicts clinically significant pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Objectives: Drainage after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remains controversial because the risk for uncontrolled postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) must be balanced against the potential morbidity associated with prolonged and possibly unnecessary drainage. This study investigated the utility of the level of serum amylase on the night of surgery [postoperative day (PoD) 0 serum amylase] to predict POPF.

Methods: A total of 185 patients who underwent PD were studied.