IntroductionDespite the benefits of surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), over 30% of patients fail to complete adjuvant oncological treatment. Whether postoperative complications affect chemotherapy completion rates and overall survival remains uncertain. We hypothesized that postoperative complications would be associated with chemotherapy delays, omission, and reduced overall survival (OS). MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for PDAC from 2008 to 2022 to assess whether serious surgical complications, defined as Clavien Dindo Grade 3a or higher, were associated with the omission or delay of adjuvant oncologic treatment as well as OS. ResultsA total of 920 patients were available for analysis. Pancreatic and bile leakage were associated with risk of chemotherapy omission (OR 1.97 [CI 95% 1.25-3.12], p = 0.004 and OR 1.96 [CI 95% 1.04-3.67], p = 0.032, respectively). No delay of adjuvant chemotherapy > 90 days nor change in OS was found. ConclusionMajor surgical complications influence the likelihood of omitting adjuvant chemotherapy but not delaying it > 90 days. Patients with pancreatic or bile leakage were at greater risk of not completing planned chemotherapy but had the same OS.
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