Routine Gastric Decompression after Pancreatoduodenectomy: Treating the Surgeon?

Background The decision to routinely leave a nasogastric tube after pancreatoduodenectomy remains controversial. We sought to determine the impact of immediate nasogastric tube removal versus early nasogastric tube removal (<24 h) on postoperative outcomes. Methods A retrospective review of our institution’s prospective ACS-NSQIP database identified patients that underwent pancreatoduodenectomy from 2015 to 2018. Outcomes were compared among patients with immediate nasogastric tube removal versus early nasogastric tube removal. Results A total of 365 patients were included in primary analysis (no nasogastric tube, n = 99; nasogastric tube removed <24 h, n = 266). Thirty-day mortality and infectious, renal, cardiovascular, and pulmonary morbidity were similar in comparing those with no nasogastric tube versus early nasogastric tube removal on univariable and multivariable analyses ( P > 0.05). Incidence of delayed gastric emptying (11.1 versus 13.2%) was similar between groups. Patients with no nasogastric tube less frequently required nasogastric tube reinsertion ( n = 4, 4%) compared to patients with NGT <24 h ( n = 39, 15%) (OR = 3.83, 95% CI [1.39-10.58]; P = 0.009). Conclusion Routine gastric decompression can be safely avoided after uneventful pancreaticoduodenectomy.