Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is standard for patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in the pancreatic head, neck, and uncinate process, but it is associated with a relatively high morbidity. This study aimed to identify risk factors for extended postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) admission and assess the impact of ICU treatment on patient survival.

Between October 2001 and June 2008, patients that underwent PD for PDAC in the pancreatic head were identified from a prospective database. Patients admitted to the ICU after an initial recovery period were compared to those not admitted regarding comorbidities, intraoperative parameters, resection size, and tumor biology.

Five hundred and forty patients were included. Of these, 17.8% required extended postoperative ICU admission (immediate, 9.3%; delayed, 7.6%). Immediate ICU admission was most frequently required for increased intraoperative blood loss and fluid management. Delayed ICU treatment was most frequently required for hemorrhage, respiratory insufficiency, or pancreatic fistula. Morbidity and 30-day mortality rates were 54.2% and 2.6%, respectively. ICU admission correlated with significantly lower survival rates compared to no ICU admission (P = 0.0155). Multivariate risk factors for ICU admission included a history of diabetes mellitus and heart failure (NYHA I-III), an intraoperative blood transfusion, and a longer operating time.

The need for extended ICU admission is associated with higher in-hospital mortality and reduced long-term outcome. The highest mortality was observed after delayed ICU admission. Preoperative diabetes, heart failure and long operations, and intraoperative blood transfusions substantially increased the risk for ICU requirement.