Sarcopenia is an independent predictor of delayed gastric emptying following pancreaticoduodenectomy: a retrospective study

Background The pathogenesis of delayed gastric emptying (DGE), a common complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy, is unclear. Loss of skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia) is associated with post-pancreaticoduodenectomy complications; however, few studies have investigated the relationship between sarcopenia and DGE. The aim of this study was to investigate whether post-pancreaticoduodenectomy DGE is affected by pre-operative skeletal muscle mass. Methods We retrospectively analysed the data of 112 consecutive patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy and divided them into the following two groups: no DGE (n = 100) and with DGE (n = 12). Patients were stratified by quartiles according to each element of body composition. The lowest quartile for skeletal muscle mass was defined as having sarcopenia. Results Ten and two patients had grades B and C DGE, respectively. According to univariate analysis, body mass index (P = 0.031), clinically relevant post-operative pancreatic fistula (P < 0.001) and skeletal muscle mass (P = 0.002) were significantly associated with DGE. According to multivariate analysis, high body mass index (>= 25 kg/cm(2)) (P = 0.005), post-operative pancreatic fistula (P = 0.027) and low skeletal muscle mass (P = 0.004) were independently associated with DGE. Conclusion Sarcopenia is an independent predictor of DGE after pancreaticoduodenectomy.