Body composition, muscle function and biochemical values in patients after pancreatic surgery: An observational study

Summary Background & aims The complex nature of pancreatic operation makes it a high-risk and technically demanding major abdominal procedure, resulting in early pathophysiological alterations. This study aims to observe changes in body composition, muscle function and biochemical values in patients during the early postoperative days (PODs) following pancreaticoduodenectomy or total pancreatectomy. Methods Assessment of body composition by bioimpedance spectroscopy, muscle function by peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and maximum handgrip strength (HGS), and biochemical values were measured in patients the day before surgery and on PODs 3, 6 and 9. Results Significant changes occurred among 34 patients on POD 3 in body weight +2.3 (0.8–3.6) kg, total body water +2.8 (1.1–5.9) l, extracellular water +2.5 (1.2–3.7) l, intracellular water +1.1 (−0.4–1.9) l, phase angle −1.0 (−1.2 to −0.7)°, PEFR -250.0 (−407.5 to −125.0) l/m and HGS -4.8 (−7.3 to −3.0) kg, C-reactive protein +78.0 (41.0–102.8) mg/l, haemoglobin −34.5 (−45.8 to −26.0) g/l, albumin −12 (−16.5 to −10.0) g/l. Conclusions Changes in water distribution, phase angle, initial reduced muscle function and altered biochemical values were observed during the first 9 PODs.