Abstract
The prevalence of sarcopenia in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic and periampullary tumors and its impact on postoperative outcomes is highly relevant. Therefore, it is of interest to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic and periampullary tumors. A prospective observational analysis of 50 patients revealed that sarcopenia, assessed through Psoas Muscle Index, Hand Grip Strength and Gait Speed, is a significant predictor of postoperative outcomes. Age did not notably affect sarcopenia prevalence, while factors such as gender, ECOG status and diabetes were identified as key risk factors. Gait speed was found to be the strongest predictor of mortality, emphasizing its potential as a primary diagnostic tool. The identification of sarcopenia as a significant predictor of postoperative outcomes in pancreaticoduodenectomy patients with gait speed emerging as the strongest predictor of mortality, offering a potential tool for preoperative assessment and improved patient management.