Peri-operative glucocorticosteroids decrease complication risk after major pancreatic resection

However, Li Lian Kuan and colleagues aimed to investigate the impact of peri-operative glucocorticosteroid on major pancreatic resection. According to the literature, this is the first systematic review conducted to investigate the significance of peri-operative glucocorticosteroid in patients undergoing pancreatic resections.

The authors carried out a systematic review of a total of five studies. The studies were then analysed. Out of the five papers included, three were randomised control trials and two retrospective cohort studies.

The total patient population was 536. The glucocorticosteroids used were intravenous hydrocortisone or dexamethasone. The study revealed that four studies reported a statistically significant lower morbidity in the peri-operative glucocorticosteroid group. The number needed to treat to prevent one major complication with hydrocortisone was four patients. Furthermore, two studies demonstrated dexamethasone was associated with significantly improved median overall survival.

As a result, the authors concluded that this review shows a possible positive association between glucocorticosteroid and outcomes following major pancreatic resection. However, more randomised control trials are required to confirm if this is a true effect, they further inferred.

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hpb.2021.07.001