Bacteriobilia resistance to antibiotic prophylaxis increases morbidity after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a monocentric retrospective study of 128 patients

Several studies attempted to determine whether there is a relationship between the use of preoperative biliary drainage and morbidity after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). We retrospectively evaluated post-PD outcome in patients with and without preoperative biliary drainage and the role of bacteriobilia and antibiotic prophylaxis in post-operative complications. Data relating to the PDs performed at the Hepato-Bilio-Pancreatic Surgical Department of Treviso Hospital between 2010 and 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. Morbidity and intra-hospital mortality related to preoperative biliary stent were the primary outcomes. Between 2010 and 2017, 128 patients (mean age 68 years) underwent PD; 72 were treated with early surgery (ES) and 56 underwent preoperative biliary drainage (PBD). Overall morbidity was 50% in the ES cohort and 43% in the PBD (ns, p = 0.43). In the PBD group, bacteriobilia was found in the 100% of the bile cultures (48; 8 unavailable). The microbiota was represented by: Klebsiella spp (48%), Enterococcus spp (29%), E. coli (27%) and Candida spp (21%). In 52% of cases, at least one of the isolated bacteria was resistant to the perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (69% of cases Amoxicillin–Clavulanic Ac.). The majority of postoperative surgical complications occurred in patients with prophylaxis-resistant bacteriobilia (68% vs 39%; p = 0.04). Antibiotic resistance is a determining factor in morbidity after PD. We therefore propose to pay particular attention to the preoperative prophylaxis, diversifying it between drained and non-drained patients. In fact, in the former, appropriate broad spectrum preoperative antibiotic coverage is strongly suggested.