Effect of pre-firing compression on the prevention of pancreatic fistula in distal pancreatectomy.

•Univariate analysis showed that body mass index, thickness of the pancreas, and pre-firing compression were significantly related with clinically relevant POPF.•Multivariate analysis showed that the pre-firing compression was an independent factor of clinically relevant POPF.•Pre-firing compression decreased the rate of POPF, the duration of abdominal drainage, and the length of the postoperative hospital stay.