Patients with pancreatic trauma may develop exocrine insufficiency

Key clinical point: Overt exocrine insufficiency is rare in patients with pancreatic trauma but some asymptomatic patients may show biochemical exocrine insufficiencies on specific investigations, particularly after pancreatic resection.

Major finding: Severe pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) was seen in 4 patients (20%), of which 3 had undergone pancreatic resection (P = .7). Only 1 patient complained of steatorrhea. Patients undergoing pancreatic resection had lower fecal elastase than those who did not (median, 113 μg/g vs. 162.5 μg/g), although difference was not significant statistically (P = .7).

Study details: Findings are from analysis of 20 patients with grade 2-5 pancreatic injury (age, 18-65 years) who were admitted and managed at the division of Trauma Surgery and Critical Care. Patients either underwent partial pancreatic resection (n=12) or nonoperative management or operation without resection (n=8).

Disclosures: The study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Colney L et al. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2021 Mar 14. doi: 10.1007/s00068-021-01638-8.

Key clinical point: Overt exocrine insufficiency is rare in patients with pancreatic trauma but some asymptomatic patients may show biochemical exocrine insufficiencies on specific investigations, particularly after pancreatic resection.

Major finding: Severe pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) was seen in 4 patients (20%), of which 3 had undergone pancreatic resection (P = .7). Only 1 patient complained of steatorrhea. Patients undergoing pancreatic resection had lower fecal elastase than those who did not (median, 113 μg/g vs. 162.5 μg/g), although difference was not significant statistically (P = .7).

Study details: Findings are from analysis of 20 patients with grade 2-5 pancreatic injury (age, 18-65 years) who were admitted and managed at the division of Trauma Surgery and Critical Care. Patients either underwent partial pancreatic resection (n=12) or nonoperative management or operation without resection (n=8).

Disclosures: The study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Colney L et al. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2021 Mar 14. doi: 10.1007/s00068-021-01638-8.

Key clinical point: Overt exocrine insufficiency is rare in patients with pancreatic trauma but some asymptomatic patients may show biochemical exocrine insufficiencies on specific investigations, particularly after pancreatic resection.

Major finding: Severe pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) was seen in 4 patients (20%), of which 3 had undergone pancreatic resection (P = .7). Only 1 patient complained of steatorrhea. Patients undergoing pancreatic resection had lower fecal elastase than those who did not (median, 113 μg/g vs. 162.5 μg/g), although difference was not significant statistically (P = .7).

Study details: Findings are from analysis of 20 patients with grade 2-5 pancreatic injury (age, 18-65 years) who were admitted and managed at the division of Trauma Surgery and Critical Care. Patients either underwent partial pancreatic resection (n=12) or nonoperative management or operation without resection (n=8).

Disclosures: The study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Colney L et al. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2021 Mar 14. doi: 10.1007/s00068-021-01638-8.