The Impact of Racial Disparities and Social Determinants of Health on Postoperative Outcomes After Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple Procedure)

In this multicenter analysis of pancreatectomy (Whipple procedures), complication rates were high across all racial groups, and race alone, both with and without adjustment for social determinants of health, was not a consistent predictor of outcomes. Black patients with documented SDOH had a small but statistically significant increase in complications compared to White patients with similar social risk, suggesting a modest impact that warrants further investigation. These findings highlight the importance of considering both race and SDOH when addressing disparities in surgical outcomes.