Abstract
Background
This meta-analysis reviewed the current evidence on the impact of routine Nasogastric decompression (NGD) versus no NGD after pancreatoduodenectomy on perioperative outcomes.
Methods
PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched for studies reporting the role of nasogastric tube decompression after pancreatoduodenectomy on perioperative outcomes were retrieved and analysed up to January 2021.
Results
Eight studies with total of 1301 patients were enrolled of which 668 patients had routine NGD. Routine NGD was associated with a higher incidence of overall delayed gastric emptying (DGE) and clinically relevant DGE (OR = 2.51, 95% CI; 1.12 - 5.63, I2= 83%, P = 0.03, and OR = 3.64, 95% CI: 1.83 – 7.25, I2 = 54%, P < 0.01, respectively). Routine NGD was also associated with a higher rate of Clavien-Dindo ≥ 2 complications (OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.05 – 9.28, I2 = 88%, P = 0.04), and increased length of hospital stay (MD = 2.67, 95% CI: 0.60 – 4.75, I2 = 97%, P = 0.02). There were no significant differences in overall complications (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.79 – 1.46, I2 0%, P = 0.66), or postoperative pancreatic fistula (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.86 – 1.72, I2 = 0%, P = 0.28) between the two groups.
Conclusions
Routine NGD may be associated with increased rates of DGE, major complications and longer length of stay after pancreatoduodenectomy.