Objective: To evaluate short-term outcomes and identify predictors of morbidity and mortality following multivisceral oncologic resections involving the pancreas.
Summary background data: Multivisceral resections including the pancreas are required for locally advanced abdominal malignancies but are associated with considerable perioperative risk. While smaller series suggest acceptable outcomes in selected patients, large-scale international data are lacking to guide surgical decision-making and risk stratification.
Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 1,283 patients from 31 international centers who underwent multivisceral oncologic resections involving the pancreas. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, operative details, and 90-day postoperative outcomes were analyzed.
Results: The cohort had a mean age of 64.7 years, and 54.7% were male. Distal pancreatectomy was the most frequent procedure (60.5%), and R0 resection was achieved in 60.9% of cases. Ninety-day mortality was 6.9%, highest in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (16.7%). Major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III-V) occurred in 34.4% of patients. Higher ASA classification and open surgical approach were independently associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Prolonged operative time was associated with morbidity only. Female gender and treatment at high-volume centers were protective. In patients with pancreatic tumors, resection involving the colon (OR 1.78, p<0.001), stomach (OR 1.33, p = 0.042), or three or more organs (OR 1.75, p = 0.006) significantly increased complication rates.
Conclusions: Multivisceral resections involving the pancreas are associated with relevant perioperative risk. Optimizing patient selection, favoring minimally invasive techniques when feasible in selected patients, and centralizing care to high-volume centers may help improve outcomes for these complex surgical procedures.
Keywords: multivisceral resection; oncological resections; outcomes; pancreatic malignancies; risk factors.
Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.