TP7.2.13 Clinical characteristics and outcomes of acute pancreatitis following spinal surgery: a systematic review

Aims Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a rare post-operative complication of spinal surgery. This study reviews the current evidence on clinical characteristics and outcome of AP following spinal surgery. Methods A systematic search was performed on English articles published up to May 2020 using PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, LILACS and Cochrane databases. Data on clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes were extracted and analysed. Results Eleven papers meeting the inclusion criteria which included a total of 306 (23.02%) patients developing AP out of 1,329 patients undergoing spinal surgery were included (mean age= 14.17 years). Of the 11 studies that specified symptoms (n = 55 patients) abdominal pain (43.6%), nausea and vomiting (32.7%) and abdominal distension (7.27%) were the commonest symptoms. The mean duration from surgery to onset of symptoms was 6.15 days (range:1-7). Almost all (n = 10, 90.9%) were treated non-operatively. Of the complications mentioned (n = 306 patients), glucose intolerance (25%), peritonitis (2%), pseudocyst (2%), and fluid collection (2%) were the commonest. Of the studies mentioning associated factors (n = 22 patients) prolonged fasting time (13.6%), intra-operative blood loss (9.09%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (9.09%), age >14 years (9.09 %), low BMI (9.09 %), and anterior/combined approach (9.09%) were the commonest associated factors for AP. A total of 2 deaths (n = 2/306, 0.65%) were reported. Conclusion Although uncommon, AP remains an important post-operative complication of spinal surgery due to its associated morbidity and mortality. Avoiding major risk factors including prolong fasting and minimizing intra-operative blood loss may help reduce the incidence of AP in patients undergoing spinal surgery.