Introduction Sarcopenia and visceral obesity have been identified as risk factors for postoperative complications following hepatobiliary and colon surgery. However, the correlation between body composition parameters and morbidity following pancreatectomy remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the predictive value of body composition parameters measured from preoperative CT images for postoperative complications following pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD). Methods A retrospective study of patients who underwent PD between January 2018 and January 2021 was performed. Areas of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), total abdominal muscle area (TAMA) and mean muscle radio-attenuation were measured from preoperative CT images. Postoperative complications were categorized according to the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC) and comprehensive complication index (CCI) scores were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) and high CCI score (≥26.2). Results From the data collected on 129 study patients, sarcopenia, visceral obesity and myosteatosis were detected in 47 (36.4%), 38 (29.4%), and 50 (38.7%) patients, respectively. CR-POPF developed in 51(39.5%) patients, the overall median CCI score was 30.8 (22.6-36.2), and high CCI scores were identified in 70 (54.3%) patients. Multivariate analysis indicated sarcopenia and visceral obesity were independent risk variables for CR-POPF. Preoperative sarcopenia, visceral obesity, age, preoperative biliary drainage, and a positive culture of postoperative drainage were predictors of high CCI scores. Conclusion Sarcopenia and visceral obesity were significant predictors of CR-POPF and high CCI score. Preoperative body composition assessment by CT images may help to identify high-risk patients who undergo PD.

S. Karger AG, Basel