OGC P16 Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency after Oesophagogastric Resection: Results from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background Unpleasant gastrointestinal complications can affect 9/10 patients after oesophagogastric resection (OGR), and malnutrition is recognised in this cohort. Untreated pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) results in substantial patient harm and is recognised as a contributor to such symptoms. The incidence of post-operative PEI is unclear, however and the benefit of management with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), rarely discussed. The aim of this study was to assimilate the literature on incidence, diagnosis, and management of PEI in patients following OGR. Methods A systematic review of PUBMED and Embase databases identified studies investigating PEI following OG resection. A pooled analysis was performed to determine prevalence of PEI in each cohort, and benefit of PERT. Meta-analyses were performed using the software package Revman 5.4, in accordance with the recommendation of the Cochrane Collaboration. Results Twelve studies were included in the quantitative synthesis of PEI rate after OGR surgery. The rate of PEI after any OGR was 50.4% (95% CI: 38.3% - 62.6%) amongst 463 patients. PEI was most prevalent after total gastrectomy at 66.2% (95% CI: 44.9% - 84.9%) followed by subtotal, 46.9% (95% CI: 33.3% - 60.9%) and oesophagectomy 31.0% (95% CI: 17.0% - 46.9%) The most common diagnostic test used was faecal-elastase-1 (FE-1) (4/12 studies) reporting <200 µg/g as diagnostic of PEI. Four studies reported the effect of PERT, with symptomatic benefit seen in 75.2% (95% CI: 66.9% - 82.7%). Conclusions PEI is common following OGR, with over half of patients developing PEI. The presence of PEI reduces quality of life, contributes to malnutrition and long-term poor health, but can be managed effectively with PERT. Future work must further define the role of PERT after OGR, considering not only nutritive and qualitative benefit, but also whether a survival advantage is conferred.