The consequences of major visceral vascular injuries on outcome in patients with pancreatic injuries: a case-matched analysis

Abstract

Background: Major pancreatic injuries are complex to treat, especially when combined with vascular and other critical organ injuries. This case-matched  analysis assessed the influence of associated visceral vascular injuries on outcome in pancreatic injuries.

Method: A registered prospective database of 461 consecutive patients with pancreatic injuries was used to identify 68 patients with a Pancreatic Injury  combined with a major visceral Vascular Injury (PIVI group) and were matched one-to-one by an independent blinded reviewer using a validated  individual matching method to 68 similar Pancreatic Injury patients without a vascular injury (PI group). The two groups were compared using univariate  and multivariate logistic regression analysis and outcome including complication rates, length of hospital stay and 90-day mortality rate was measured.

Results: The two groups were well matched according to surgical intervention. Mortality in the PIVI group was 41% (n = 28) compared to 13% (n = 9) in  the PI alone group (p = 0.000, OR 4.5, CI 1.00-10.5). On univariate analysis the PIVI group was significantly more likely to (i) be shocked on admission, (ii) have a RTS < 7.8, (iii) require damage control laparotomy, (iv) require a blood transfusion, both in frequency and volume, (v) develop a major  postoperative complication and (vi) die. On multivariate analysis, the need for damage control laparotomy was a significant variable (p = 0.015, OR 7.95, CI 1.50-42.0) for mortality. Mortality of AAST grade 1 and 2 pancreatic injuries combined with a vascular injury was 18.5% (5/27) compared to an increased  mortality of 56.1% (23/41) of AAST grade 3, 4 and 5 pancreatic injuries with vascular injuries (p = 0.0026)

Conclusion: This study confirms that pancreatic injuries associated with major visceral vascular injuries have a significantly higher complication and  mortality rate than pancreatic injuries without vascular injuries and that the addition of a vascular injury with an increasing AAST grade of pancreatic  injury exponentially compounds the mortality rate.