Optimal Drain Amylase Cutoff Values Differ Between Open and Laparoscopic Distal Pancreatectomy

Drain amylase on postoperative day three is an independent predictor of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula after both open and laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. However, the optimal cutoff value for predicting this complication is significantly higher after laparoscopic surgery than after open surgery. This difference suggests that the threshold for drain removal may need to be tailored based on the type of surgery performed.