Composite length of stay: An informative outcome measure in pancreatoduodenectomy combining postoperative and readmission length of stays

Abstract

p=0.004), organ/space infection (14.4% vs. 10.9%, p=0.026), re-operation (8.6% vs. 5.1%, p=0.003), DGE (26.8% vs 16.4%, p<0.001) and longer mean hospital length of stay (12.9 vs. 11.2 days, p=0.001) than those without FT. There was no difference in mortality (1.7% vs. 2.2%, p=0.488) or readmission rate (20.2% vs. 17.2%, p=0.099). In patients with DGE and POPF, FT placement was not associated with morbidity, mortality, length of stay or readmission rate (P>0.05). Conclusion: Surgeons place feeding tubes in patients with higher risk profile as a mitigation strategy. However, in a balanced cohort, patients with a feeding tube still had higher morbidity and longer hospital stay. These results do not support routine feeding tube placement at the time of PD; selective placement may be reasonable in high-risk patients.