Preoperative weight loss lowers pancreatic fistula risk after surgery

In a study of 43,126 patients who underwent pancreatectomy, 16.3% developed postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). Preoperative weight loss correlated with reduced odds of developing POPF (odds ratio 0.87), whereas higher body mass index (BMI) increased risk. For patients experiencing weight loss, each BMI point increase resulted in a 67% rise in POPF odds, contrasting with a mere 4.3% for those without weight loss. This indicates that weight management significantly affects surgical outcomes.