Prognostic factors for survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy for patients with carcinoma of the pancreatic head region

Abstract

Involvement of resection margins, major vascular ingrowth, site of origin of carcinoma, and perioperative blood transfusion were independent prognostic factors for survival after PD. Overall 5-year survival was 31%, and subtotal PD is advocated for all patients with a macroscopically resectable tumor in the pancreatic head region without major vascular involvement, even for those with larger tumors or local lymph node metastasis. Care should be taken to limit the need for perioperative blood transfusions.