Preoperative weight loss and postoperative pancreatic fistula risk affected by body mass index: a National Surgical Quality Improvement Program study.

Background: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreatectomy is associated with longer hospitalization, readmission, increased resource utilization, and early postoperative mortality. Preoperative weight loss has been identified as a significant predictor of adverse outcomes after gastrointestinal surgery. We studied the association between unintentional preoperative weight loss and POPF development after pancreatectomy.