Protocol CT Scans Improve Detection in Pancreatic Fistula Patients

Early protocol CT scans in high-risk patients after pancreatoduodenectomy increase detection of complications but don’t improve overall outcomes.

• In a prospective cohort, 76.7% of asymptomatic patients received CT scans by day 4 versus day 8 in historical controls.
• Abnormal findings were noted in 73.9% of scans, leading to timely intervention in 6 patients.

Despite increased interventions, there were no changes in hospital stay or 90-day mortality.

• Clinically relevant scores ≥5 correlated strongly with progression to significant complications (72.7% vs 41.1%; p< .001).