The Impact of Cirrhosis on Pancreatic Cancer Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract

Cirrhosis has been considered a contraindication to major abdominal surgeries, due to increased risk for postoperative morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of pancreatectomy in cirrhotic versus non-cirrhotic patients. The present systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. All meta-analyses were performed using the random effects model. Eight studies were eventually included, enrolling 1229 patients (cirrhotics: 722; and Child-Pugh A: 593; Child-Pugh B/C: 129) who underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer. The overall postoperative morbidity rate was 66% (51%-80%). Infections (26%) and ascites formation/worsening (23%) were the most common postoperative complications, followed by anastomotic leak/fistula (17%). Non-cirrhotic patients were less likely to suffer from anastomotic leak/fistula (OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.23-0.65) and infections (OR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.25-0.67). Postoperative mortality rate was statistically significantly lower in non-cirrhotic versus cirrhotic patients (OR: 0.18; 95% CI:0.18-0.39). The odds ratios of 1 year (OR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.30-1.30), 2 year (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.25-1.83) and 3 year all-cause mortality (OR: 0.32; 95% CI: 20.03-2.99) were not significantly different between cirrhotic versus non-cirrhotic patients. This study demonstrated that non-cirrhotic patients were less likely to undergo any type of re-intervention and had statistically significant lower postoperative mortality rates compared to patients with cirrhosis.