Risk factors for postoperative acute pancreatitis after thoracic aortic surgery.

Background: We aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors of postoperative acute pancreatitis (PAP) following thoracic aortic surgery with circulatory arrest.

Methods: One hundred fifty-two patients who underwent thoracic aortic surgery with circulatory arrest between February 2015 and March 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative acute pancreatitis was defined as the presence of two or more of the following criteria: (1) abdominal pain, (2) postoperative amylase or lipase levels greater than three times the upper limit of normal, and (3) evidence of pancreatitis on postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to find risk factors for PAP.

Results: Nine patients (5.9%) developed PAP without mortality. All of the nine patients had elevated pancreatic enzymes and evidence of pancreatitis on CT. They improved with conservative therapy. In multivariate analysis, only cross-clamp time was found to be a significant risk factor for PAP (adjusted odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1-1.08; p = 0.042).

Conclusion: The incidence of PAP after thoracic aortic surgery with circulatory arrest was 5.9%, and cross-clamp time is an independent risk factor for PAP.