Volume-Based Outcomes in Pancreatectomy: A Prospective Multicenter Study

Strategic Insights -

Recent research conducted by University Hospital in Alicante, Spain, has shed light on the impact of surgical volume on postoperative outcomes following left pancreatectomy. The study, titled "Effect of Volume On Postoperative Outcomes After Left Pancreatectomy: a Multicenter Prospective Snapshot Study (Spandispan Project)," aimed to investigate the relationship between hospital volume and surgical outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 313 patients who underwent left pancreatectomy at 42 centers across Spain, with 40.3% of procedures performed in high-volume centers.
  • High-volume centers demonstrated higher rates of minimally invasive surgery, lower intraoperative bleeding, fewer complications, and reduced postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPFs) compared to low-volume centers.
  • However, low-volume centers still achieved acceptable outcomes, highlighting the importance of careful patient referral and management.
  • The study's findings support the selective referral of more complex laparoscopic procedures to high-volume centers, potentially leading to a gradual centralization of surgical practices.

The research team, led by Candido F. Alcazar-Lopez, emphasized the need for a more standardized approach to surgical practices to improve outcomes for patients undergoing left pancreatectomy.

Statistics:

  • 313 patients were included in the study, with 40.3% of procedures performed in high-volume centers.
  • High-volume centers performed minimally invasive surgery in 62.5% of cases, compared to 40.4% in low-volume centers.
  • Intraoperative bleeding was significantly lower in high-volume centers (3.1% vs. 6.3% in low-volume centers).
  • Postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPFs) occurred in 10.5% of cases in high-volume centers, compared to 14.1% in low-volume centers.

Sources:

  • Alcazar-Lopez CF, et al. Effect of Volume On Postoperative Outcomes After Left Pancreatectomy: a Multicenter Prospective Snapshot Study (Spandispan Project). Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025;14(17):6013. doi: 10.3390/jcm14176013
  • University Hospital. Study reveals impact of surgical volume on postoperative outcomes following left pancreatectomy. Medical Devices & Surgical Technology Week. November 2, 2025; p 2121.