Changes in the body composition and nutritional status after total pancreatectomy.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the body composition and nutritional status after total pancreatectomy (TP). Consecutive 45 patients underwent TP between February 2003 and July 2018. Among them, 32 had computed tomography images available before TP and at 6 and 12 months after TP. The skeletal muscle index (SMI), visceral fat tissue index (VFI), and subcutaneous fat tissue index (SFI) were measured using images at each time. Body mass index (BMI), serum albumin levels (Alb), hemoglobin A1c levels (HbA1c), and daily insulin use were also recorded. There were significant reductions in SMI (median, 38.7 vs. 36.6 cm2/m2, P = 0.030), VFI (12.4 vs. 5.1 cm2/m2, P < 0.001), SFI (26.5 vs. 9.2 cm2/m2, P < 0.001), BMI (20.3 vs. 18.7 kg/m2, P < 0.001), and Alb (4.2 vs. 3.7 g/dL, P = 0.031) at 6 months after TP compared with preoperative period. HbA1c significantly increased at 6 months after TP compared with postoperative discharge (6.7 vs. 7.3%, P < 0.001). The daily insulin use significantly increased at 12 months after TP compared with 6 months after TP (22 vs. 26 units/day, P < 0.001), whereas there were no significant changes in other parameters. Significant losses in fat and skeletal muscle mass as well as the BMI and Alb occurred within the first 6 months after TP. A subsequent increase in the daily insulin use occurred during the next six months, which helped preserve the body composition.