Clinical Implications of the 2016 International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery Definition and Grading of Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula on 775 Consecutive Pancreatic Resections

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical implications of the 2016 International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) definition and classification of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) using a single high-volume institutional cohort of patients undergone pancreatic surgery. BACKGROUND: The ISGPS definition and grading system of POPF has been recently updated. Although the rationale for the changes was supported by previous studies, the effect of the new definition and classification scheme on surgical series has not been established. METHODS: A total of 775 patients undergone pancreatic surgery in our institute from 2013 to 2015 were reviewed. The parameters modified in the ISGPS classification were analyzed according to postoperative outcomes. Finally the classification was validated by external clinical and economical outcomes. RESULTS: Applying the 2016 scheme, 17.5% of patients changed classification group compared to the 2015 system. Grade B increased from 11.5% to 22.1%, whereas grade C decreased from 15.2% to 4.6%. Biochemical leak occurred in 7% of patients, and it did not differ from the non-POPF condition in terms of surgical outcomes. Non-POPF group, grades B and C POPF differed significantly in terms of intensive care unit staying (P < 0.001), length of stay (P < 0.001), readmission rate (P < 0.001), and hospital costs (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study has confirmed the pertinence of the changes introduced in the 2016 ISGPS POPF definition and grading. This updated classification is effective in identifying three conditions that differ in terms of clinical and economic outcomes. These results suggested the reliability of the new definition and scheme in classifying POPF-related outcomes.