Abstract

Background Central pancreatectomy is performed to preserve pancreatic function in selected patients with low-grade tumors. We evaluated short-term and long-term pancreatic function and nutritional status after central or distal pancreatectomy. Methods The subjects were 24 patients undergoing central pancreatectomy and 91 patients receiving distal pancreatectomy. We retrospectively evaluated body weight, serum albumin, hemoglobin A1c, and complications. Results After central pancreatectomy, body weight and hemoglobin A1c did not change significantly up to 60 months postoperatively compared with before surgery, while serum albumin was significantly increased at all postoperative assessments (6, 12, 36, and 60 months, all P < 0.05). After distal pancreatectomy, body weight did not change significantly at any time, while serum albumin was significantly increased until 36 months (all P < 0.001), and hemoglobin A1c was significantly increased at all postoperative assessments (all P < 0.0001). Following distal pancreatectomy, fatty liver occurred in 11 patients (12%), 43 patients (47%) required pancreatic digestive enzymes, and 20 patients (30%) developed diabetes, while none of these complications occurred after central pancreatectomy (P = 0.0733, P = 0.0001, and P = 0.0024, respectively). After central pancreatectomy, the incidence rate of post-operative pancreatic fistula Grade B + C was 24%, while the incidence rate of postoperative pancreatic Grade B + C was 11% (P = 0.0947). Conclusion Compared with distal pancreatectomy, central pancreatectomy preserves both short-term and long-term pancreatic function and nutritional status.

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