The effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiation on pancreaticoduodenectomy - The American College of Surgeon's National Surgical Quality Improvement Program analysis

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of preoperative chemoradiation therapy on postoperative outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Materials and methods The American College of Surgeon's National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant User File from 2005-2011 was used to analyze the outcomes of patients who underwent chemoradiation therapy before PD. Their outcomes were compared with those who underwent PD without neoadjuvant therapy. Results We identified 110 patients who received preoperative chemoradiation therapy before undergoing PD for pancreatic malignancies and compared them with 4915 patients who did not. The two groups were similar in their preoperative comorbidities and demographics. The neoadjuvant group experienced a significantly longer operative time with a higher rate of vascular reconstruction, transfusion requirement, and superficial wound infection compared with those who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. However, mortality and the rate of major complications between the two groups were similar. Conclusions Preoperative chemoradiation therapy is associated with an increase in transfusion requirement and superficial surgical site infection. However, it is not associated with an increase in 30-d mortality or major complications.