Sarcopenia adversely impacts clinical outcomes in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Sarcopenia is a syndrome marked by a gradual and widespread reduction in skeletal muscle mass and strength, as well as a decline in functional ability, which is associated with malnutrition, hormonal changes, chronic inflammation, disturbance of intestinal flora, and exercise quality. Pancreatoduodenectomy is a commonly employed clinical intervention for conditions such as pancreatic head cancer, ampulla of Vater cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma, among others, with a notably high rate of postoperative complications. Sarcopenia is frequent in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy. However, data regarding the effects of sarcopenia in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) are both limited and inconsistent.

Aim: To assess the influence of sarcopenia on outcomes in patients undergoing PD.

Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases were screened for studies published from the time of database inception to June 2023 that described the effects of sarcopenia on the outcomes and complications of PD. Two researchers independently assessed the quality of the data extracted from the studies that met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis using RevMan 5.3.5 and Stata 14.0 software was conducted. Forest and funnel plots were used, respectively, to demonstrate the outcomes of the sarcopenia group the non-sarcopenia group after PD and to evaluate potential publication bias.

Results: Sixteen studies encompassing 2381 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The patients in the sarcopenia group ( = 833) had higher overall postoperative complication rates [odds ratio (OR) = 3.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.95-5.99, < 0.0001], higher Clavien-Dindo class ≥ III major complication rates (OR = 1.41, 95%CI: 1.04-1.90, = 0.03), higher bacteremia rates (OR = 4.46, 95%CI: 1.42-13.98, = 0.01), higher pneumonia rates (OR = 2.10, 95%CI: 1.34-3.27, = 0.001), higher pancreatic fistula rates (OR = 1.42, 95%CI: 1.12-1.79, = 0.003), longer hospital stays (OR = 2.86, 95%CI: 0.44-5.28, = 0.02), higher mortality rates (OR = 3.17, 95%CI: 1.55-6.50, = 0.002), and worse overall survival (hazard ratio = 2.81, 95%CI: 1.45-5.45, = 0.002) than those in the non-sarcopenia group ( = 1548). However, no significant inter-group differences were observed regarding wound infections, urinary tract infections, biliary fistulas, or postoperative digestive bleeding.

Conclusion: Sarcopenia is a common comorbidity in patients undergoing PD. Patients with preoperative sarcopenia have increased rates of complications and mortality, in addition to a poorer overall survival rate and longer hospital stays after PD.