Effectiveness of prognostic nutrition index in predicting outcomes after whipple procedure in pancreactic head cancer

Abstract Introduction: Pancreatic cancer is associated with poor outcomes, and surgery is the only curative treatment for pancreatic head cancer, though prognostic factors are limited. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) in predicting outcomes in a Vietnamese population undergoing the Whipple procedure. Patients and Methods: A total of 89 patients who underwent the Whipple procedure for pancreatic head cancer between January 2013 and August 2020 at Viet Duc University Hospital were included. The patients were classified into two groups based on their PNI: <50 and ≥ 50. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of lymphocyte count (1.6 ± 0.6 vs. 2.2 ± 0.7) and albumin levels (36.8 ± 3.9 vs. 42.4 ± 2.8) (P<0.05). Complications above grade III were more common in the PNI <50 group (12.5%) compared to the PNI ≥ 50 group (3%). Although the 3-year survival rate was higher in the PNI ≥50 group, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Larger studies are needed to confirm the prognostic role of this index in Whipple procedure surgery. Keywords: Prognostic nutrition index, pancreatic head cancer, pancreaticoduodenectomy.