Postoperative aggressive diuresis prevents postoperative tissue edema and complications in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy

Purpose Intraoperative fluid restriction is reported to be associated with reduced postoperative tissue edema and decreased incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) in pancreatic surgery. However, there is limited information regarding the postoperative approach to prevent postoperative tissue edema and reduce POPF. Methods Patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy from 2013 to 2018 in our institute were retrospectively enrolled ( n = 128). The patients were classified into the two groups: an early diuresis group (ED group: patients administered diuretic agents on postoperative day 2 or earlier between 2016 and 2018, n = 69) and a conventional diuresis group (CD group: patients administered diuretic agents on postoperative day 3 or later between 2013 and 2015, n = 59). Postoperative tissue edema assessed by CT imaging and the incidence of clinically relevant POPF (CR-PF; grade B or C) were compared. Results Postoperative tissue edema was significantly reduced in the ED group ( p < 0.0001). The incidence of CR-PF was lower in the ED group (19% vs. 32%, p = 0.082), especially in patients with postoperative diuresis on POD 1 (12%, p = 0.044). Conclusion Early and aggressive postoperative diuresis potentially reduced postoperative visceral tissue edema. This postoperative approach to prevent tissue edema may reduce the incidence of CR-PF in pancreatic surgery.