The evaluation of postoperative exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in patients with benign and low-malignant pancreatic tumor: a multicenter, prospective, observational study

Objectives: We assess the incidence of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) at different time points after pancreatic surgery and explore pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy’s (PERT) efficacy. Background: EPI is characterized by inadequate pancreatic enzymes, resulting in maldigestion and abdominal symptoms. EPI is a common postoperative complication of pancreatic surgery, yet often overlooked by surgeons. There is no clear answer to when EPI occurs after pancreatic surgery nor the duration of PERT after partial pancreatectomy. Methods: Benign or borderline pancreatic tumor patients undergoing surgeries were recruited between December 2020 and November 2021 from 10 medical centers in China. The EPI Questionnaire (EPI-Q) was performed at discharge, and 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-ups to evaluate the occurrence of EPI. Statistical analyses were performed to identify the occurrence of EPI and explore PERT’s efficacy. Results: Of the 146 patients, 105 (71.9%) were female, and the median age was 49 (range 16–78 years). Symptoms of EPI patients were most pronounced within 3 months post-surgery (15.7%), while most patients recovered after 1 year (96.9%). There was a negative correlation between symptom score and time since surgery. Lack of PERT in the 3-month post-surgery was associated with higher symptom scores in pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) patients, while not in distal pancreatectomy (DP) patients. Conclusions: Generally, the high-occurrence period for postoperative EPI is within 3 months after resection in patients with benign or borderline pancreatic tumors, and most will gradually recuperate with time. PERT can improve symptoms in PD patients, while reduced PERT duration may be considered for DP patients.