Zentralblatt für Chirurgie
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Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a common complication after pancreatic surgery and is associated with extended hospitalisation, increased medical costs, and reduced quality of life. The aim of the present study was to assess the treatment of POPF in Germany, with a special focus on outpatient drain management in patients with clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF). ⋯ This is the first survey in Germany evaluating outpatient drain management in patients with CR-POPF. Although the data in the literature are rare, the majority of German pancreatic surgeons perform outpatient drain management. However, discharge criteria, outpatient care and drain removal are standardised in only the minority of centres. Therefore, we recommend the evaluation of discharge criteria and a management algorithm for patients with drained CR-POPF to improve the perioperative course.