Whipple procedure complications and outcomes: Single center experience in Kazakhstan

BACKGROUND: Whipple procedure is a most common performed surgery in patients with benign and malignant tumors of pancreas and periampullary region. There is a scarce of data regarding Whipple procedure outcomes in Kazakhstan. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The aim of this study was to analyze Whipple procedure outcomes.All Whipple procedures,performed between 2019 and 2023 in National Research Oncology Center, Astana.Data regarding patients were retrieved from electronic records. RESULTS: 97 patients underwent Whipple procedure for malignant tumor. POPF was the most frequent complication after PD. The 1,2,3-year survivals were 83 %,65 % and 48 % respectively. Median survival after Whipple procedure in our study was 20.5 month (95 % CI 18.2-24.0). CONCLUSION: Surgery remains the only curative treatment method for patients with pancreatic cancer. POPF occurrence was the most common complication and was higher in comparison to other studies. Our findings demonstrate that the modified Blumgart and Dunk anastomosis with duct-to-mucosa suturing significantly reduce the occurrence of postoperative pancreatic fistula. It can be concluded that first 4 year of experience showed comparable learning curve and further improvement in surgical technique and patient selection can decrease morbidity and mortality rate after pancreatoduodenectomy.