The Preoperative Prognostic Nutritional Index Predicts the Development of Deep Venous Thrombosis After Pancreatic Surgery.

Abstract

Pancreatic surgery is associated with a high risk of developing deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and malnutrition. We aimed to evaluate the factors predicting the development of DVT, focusing on nutrition assessment tools. One hundred patients who underwent pancreatic surgery were postoperatively examined for DVT. We assessed the risk factors for the development of DVT after surgery. Postoperative DVT was detected in 11 patients (11%). Patients who developed DVT after surgery were significantly older (p=0.016) and had higher preoperative D-dimer levels (p=0.005) than those who did not. The preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI) was mostly associated with the development of DVT (p=0.079). Furthermore, PNI ≤44.3, BUN >20 mg/dl, D-dimer ≥1.9 μg/ml were independent predictors for the development of DVT after surgery. A poor nutrition status and dehydration should be preoperatively improved for patients who are identified, as having a high risk of developing DVT after pancreatic surgery.