Short-term outcomes after duodenal surgery for mesenchymal tumors: a retrospective analysis from a single tertiary referral center

Duodenal resections are sometimes necessary for radical surgery. We analyzed technical aspects and post-operative outcomes in patients with RPS and GIST involving duodenum. We identified patients who underwent duodenal resection for RPS and GIST at our Institute between 2000 and 2016. Clinical, pathological and treatment variables were analyzed. Thirty patients were treated: 15 for GIST, 15 for RPS. Sixteen duodenal wedge resections (WR) and 14 segmental resections (SR) were performed. Multi-organ resection was frequently performed (63.4%). Median time to flatus was 3 days (range 1–6), to oral refeeding 4.5 (range 2–15). Overall postoperative morbidity rate was 53% (16/30): Clavien Dindo grade ≤ II: 10; duodenum-related complication rate was 33% (10/30), Clavien Dindo grade ≤ II: 9. Morbidity rates were higher in SR than WR. Duodenal resections for RPS and GIST have significant morbidity rate and whenever it is possible, WR is preferable to SR because of the lower morbidity rate.