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Background: The presence of an aberrant right hepatic artery (a-RHA) could influence the oncological and postoperative results after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Methods: A systematic review and metanalysis were conducted, including all comparative studies having patients who underwent PD without (na-RHA) or with a-RHA. The results were reported as risk ratios (RRs), mean differences (MDs), or hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95 CI). The random effects model was used to calculate the effect sizes. The endpoints were distinguished as critical and important. Critical endpoints were: R1 resection, overall survival (OS), morbidity, mortality, and biliary fistula (BL). Important endpoints were: postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), delayed gastric emptying (DGE), post pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH), length of stay (LOS), and operative time (OT). Results: Considering the R1 rate no significant differences were observed between the two groups (RR 1.06; 0.89 to 1.27). The two groups have a similar OS (HR 0.95; 0.85 to 1.06). Postoperative morbidity and mortality were similar between the two groups, with a RR of 0.97 (0.88 to 1.06) and 0.81 (0.54 to 1.20), respectively. The biliary fistula rate was similar between the two groups (RR of 1.09; 0.72 to 1.66). No differences were observed for non-critical endpoints. Conclusion: The presence of a-RHA does not affect negatively the short-term and long-term clinical outcomes of PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a common complication after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). DGE causes prolonged hospital stay and a decrease in quality of life. This study analyzes predictive factors for development of DGE after PD, also in the absence of surgical complications. Method: Data from the Swedish National Pancreatic Cancer Registry for patients undergoing standard and pylorus preserving open PD from January 2010 until June 30, 2018, were collected. Data were analyzed in two groups, no DGE and DGE. A subgroup of patients with DGE but without surgical complications was compared to patients without DGE or any other surgical complication. Results: In total, 2503 patients were included, of which 470 (19%) had DGE. In the DGE group, 238 had other coexisting surgical complications and 232 had not. Postoperative pancreatic fistula (OR = 4.22, p < 0.001), surgical infection (OR = 1.44, p = 0.013), heart disease (OR = 1.32, p = 0.023) and medical complications (OR = 1.35, p = 0.025) increased the risk for DGE. A standard PD compared with pylorus preserving resection (OR = 1.69, p = 0.001) and a reconstruction with a pancreaticojejunostomy compared with a pancreaticogastrostomy (OR = 1.83, p < 0.001) increased the risk. For patients without surgical complications, a standard PD and reconstruction with pancreaticojejunostomy still increased the risk for DGE. Conclusion: DGE is more common after standard PD compared to pylorus preserving PD and after reconstruction with PJ compared to PG in this national cohort, both in the presence of other surgical complications as well as in the absence of other complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreas-sparing distal duodenectomy (PSDD) is a favorable option for distal duodenal neoplasms, and its procedure, including the extent of lymphadenectomy, should be modified according to the malignancy of the tumor. However, there are no coherent reports on the details of this procedure or long-term outcomes after each resection. Methods: This study included 24 patients who underwent PSDD at our institution between January 2009 and October 2020. Patients were divided into two groups according to the tumor progression: nine with (Lv-II) and fifteen without (Lv-I) mesopancreas dissection. Postoperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: Two groups had similar operation times, blood loss, hospital stay, and the rate of delayed gastric emptying (DGE): 40% versus 44%. There were no Clavien–Dindo classification ≥ III complications in the Lv-II group. The Lv-II group had a larger number of examined lymph nodes (median: 29), and three (33%) patients had lymph node metastasis. No local recurrence was observed, although two patients in the Lv-II group had liver metastasis. The 5-year overall survival rates of the Lv-I and Lv-II groups were 100% and 78%, respectively. None of the patients had an impaired nutrition status after one year of surgery, and no rehospitalization was observed in either group. Conclusion: Although PSDD with or without mesopancreas dissection entailed a high risk of DGE, this procedure showed favorable long-term outcomes and may be an alternative to pancreatoduodenectomy in patients with distal duodenal neoplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a common complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), but a method to prevent DGE has not been established. This study aims to demonstrate a novel technique utilizing a lengthened efferent limb in Billroth-II (B-II) reconstruction during PD and to evaluate the impact of the longer efferent limb on DGE occurrence. Methods: Patients who underwent PD with B-II reconstruction were divided into two groups: PDs with lengthened (50–60 cm) efferent limb (L group) and standard length (0–30 cm) efferent limb (S group). Postoperative outcomes were compared. DGE was defined and graded according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery criteria. Results: Among 283 consecutive patients who underwent PD from 2002 to 2021, 206 patients were included in this study. Patients who underwent Roux-en-Y reconstruction (n = 77) were excluded. Compared with the S group, the L group included older patients and those who underwent PD after 2016 (p = 0.025, < 0.001, respectively). D2 lymphadenectomy, antecolic route reconstruction, and Braun enteroenterostomy were performed more frequently in the L group (p = 0.040, < 0.001, < 0.001, respectively). The rate of DGE was significantly decreased to 6% in the L group, compared with 16% in the S group (p = 0.027), which might lead to a shorter hospital stay in the L group (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified two factors as independent predictors for DGE: intraabdominal abscess [odds ratio (OR) 5.530, p = 0.008] and standard efferent limb length (OR 2.969, p = 0.047). Conclusion: A lengthened efferent limb in Braun enteroenterostomy could reduce DGE after PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although early enteral nutrition (EEN) is an accepted practice after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), the impact of EEN on postoperative complications or nutritional status remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the impact of EEN on delayed gastric emptying (DGE) and nutritional status after PD. Methods: A total of 143 patients underwent PD between January 2012 and September 2020. We excluded patients who underwent a two-stage pancreatojejunostomy, in whom the enteral tube was accidentally pulled out, or with insufficient information in their medical records. The incidence of postoperative complications was compared between patients who received EEN (EEN group, n = 21) and those who did not (control group, n = 21) after propensity score matching. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors affecting the incidence of these complications. Nutritional status was assessed at postoperative months 1, 3, and 6. Results: The incidence of grade B/C DGE in the EEN group was significantly lower than that in the control group (4.8% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.03). There was no significant difference in overall morbidity, incidence of any other postoperative complications, or all-grade DGE. In multivariate analysis, EEN was associated with a reduction in the incidence of grade B/C DGE (p < 0.01). In the analysis of nutritional status, EEN was significantly associated with better nutritional status at postoperative month 1. Conclusion: EEN can lead to a lower clinically relevant DGE rate and better nutritional status in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a frequent complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The diagnosis of DGE is based on International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) clinical criteria and objective assessments of DGE are infrequently used. The present literature review aimed to identify objective measures of DGE following PD and determine whether these measures correlate with the clinical definition of DGE. Methods: A systematic search was performed using the MEDLINE Ovid, EMBASE, Google Scholar and CINAHL databases for studies including pancreatic surgery, delayed gastric emptying and gastric motility until June 2022. The primary outcome was modalities undertaken for the objective measurement of DGE following PD and correlation between objective measurements and clinical diagnosis of DGE. Relevant risk of bias analysis was performed. Results: The search revealed 4881 records, of which 46 studies were included in the final analysis. There were four objective modalities of DGE assessment including gastric scintigraphy (n = 28), acetaminophen/paracetamol absorption test (n = 10), fluoroscopy (n = 6) and the 13C-acetate breath test (n = 3). Protocols were inconsistent, and reported correlations between clinical and objective measures of DGE were variable; however, amongst these measures, at least one study directly or indirectly inferred a correlation, with the greatest evidence accumulated for gastric scintigraphy. Conclusion: Several objective modalities to assess DGE following PD have been identified and evaluated, however are infrequently used. Substantial variability exists in the literature regarding indications and interpretation of these tests, and there is a need for a real-time objective modality which correlates with ISGPS DGE definition after PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) was introduced to improve the tangential resection margin rates and N1 node clearance following resection of malignancies of the pancreatic body and tail. Owing to its technical complexity, minimally invasive RAMPS (MI-RAMPS) has only been reported by a few centers worldwide. We performed this meta-analysis to compare both short- and long-term outcomes between open RAMPS (O-RAMPS) and minimally invasive RAMPS (MI-RAMPS). Methods: A systematic search of the electronic databases PubMed, Medline (via PubMed), Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science was performed to identify eligible studies published in the English language regardless of study design. The outcomes of interest were operation time, estimated blood loss, transfusion rates, overall complications, Grade B/C post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF) rates, post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH), delayed gastric emptying (DGE), length of stay (LOS), R0 resection rates, lymph node (LN) yield and overall survival (OS). Results: Five non-randomized studies comprising of a total 229 patients (89 MI-RAMPS, 140 O-RAMPS) were included for analysis. Intra-operative blood loss was observed to be significantly reduced in MI-RAMPS as compared to O-RAMPS (MD –256.16, P < 0.001), while LN yield was higher in O-RAMPS as compared to MI-RAMPS (MD -2.73, P = 0.02). There were no statistically significant differences observed for the other perioperative, oncologic and survival outcomes. Conclusions: This meta-analysis provides early evidence to suggest that MI-RAMPS may produce comparable short- and long-term outcomes to O-RAMPS, when undertaken by appropriately skilled surgeons in well-selected patients. Further large-scale prospective studies are required to corroborate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This systematic review explored the efficacy of different pain relief modalities used in the management of postoperative pain following pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) and distal pancreatectomy (DP) and impact on perioperative outcomes. Methods: MEDLINE (OVID), Embase, Pubmed, Web of Science and CENTRAL databases were searched using PRISMA framework. Primary outcomes included pain on postoperative day 2 and 4 and respiratory morbidity. Secondary outcomes included operation time, bile leak, delayed gastric emptying, postoperative pancreatic fistula, length of stay, and opioid use. Results: Five randomized controlled trials and seven retrospective cohort studies (1313 patients) were included in the systematic review. Studies compared epidural analgesia (EDA) (n = 845), patient controlled analgesia (PCA) (n = 425) and transabdominal wound catheters (TAWC) (n = 43). EDA versus PCA following PD was compared in eight studies (1004 patients) in the quantitative meta-analysis. Pain scores on day 2 (p = 0.19) and 4 (p = 0.18) and respiratory morbidity (p = 0.42) were comparable between EDA and PCA. Operative times, bile leak, delayed gastric emptying, pancreatic fistula, opioid use, and length of stay also were comparable between EDA and PCA. Pain scores and perioperative outcomes were comparable between EDA and PCA following DP and EDA and TAWC following PD. Conclusions: EDA, PCA and TAWC are the most frequently used analgesic modalities in pancreatic surgery. Pain relief and other perioperative outcomes are comparable between them. Further larger randomized controlled trials are warranted to explore the relative merits of each analgesic modality on postoperative outcomes with emphasis on postoperative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The superiority of Blumgart anastomosis (BA) over non-BA duct to mucosa (non-BA DtoM) still remains under debate. Methods: We performed a systematic search of studies comparing BA to non-BA DtoM. The primary endpoint was CR-POPF. Postoperative morbidity and mortality, post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH), delayed gastric emptying (DGE), reoperation rate, and length of stay (LOS) were evaluated as secondary endpoints. The meta-analysis was carried out using random effect. The results were reported as odds ratio (OR), risk difference (RD), weighted mean difference (WMD), and number needed to treat (NNT). Results: Twelve papers involving 2368 patients: 1075 BA and 1193 non-BA DtoM were included. Regarding the primary endpoint, BA was superior to non-BA DtoM (RD = 0.10; 95% CI: −0.16 to −0.04; NNT = 9). The multivariate ORs' meta-analysis confirmed BA's protective role (OR 0.26; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.79). BA was superior to DtoM regarding overall morbidity (RD = −0.10; 95% CI: −0.18 to −0.02; NNT = 25), PPH (RD = −0.03; 95% CI −0.06 to −0.01; NNT = 33), and LOS (− 4.2 days; −7.1 to −1.2 95% CI). Conclusion: BA seems to be superior to non-BA DtoM in avoiding CR-POPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (MIPD) for pancreatic head or periampullary lesions is being utilized with increasing frequency. However, few data are available for the elderly. The objective of this study is to assess the safety and feasibility of MIPD in elderly population, by making a comparison with conventional open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) and with non-elderly population. Methods: We conducted a systematic search to identify all eligible studies in Cochrane Library, Ovid, and PubMed from their inception up to April 2020. Results: Seven retrospective studies involving 2727 patients were included. Of these, 3 compared MIPD and OPD in elderly patients, 2 compared MIPD in elderly and non-elderly patients, and 2 included both outcomes. Compared to those with OPD, elderly patients who underwent MIPD were associated with less 90-day mortality (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.32–0.97; P = 0.04) and fewer delayed gastric emptying (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.33–0.88; P = 0.01). On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in terms of 30-day mortality, major morbidity, postoperative pancreatic fistula (grade B/C), postoperative hemorrhage, reoperation, 30-day readmission, and operative time. For patients who have treated with MIPD, elderly did not reveal worse outcomes than non-elderly. Conclusion: MIPD is a safe and feasible procedure for select elderly patients if performed by experienced surgeons from high-volume pancreatic surgery centers. However, further randomized studies are required to confirm this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prophylactic drainage following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) reduces morbidity and mortality. Little evidence exists to advise on whether passive gravity (PG) or active suction (AS) drainage systems result in superior outcomes. This study examines the relationship between drainage system and morbidity following PD. Methods: All patients undergoing elective PD with an operatively placed drain in the 2016 ACS-NSQIP database were included. Pre- and intra-operative factors were examined. Multivariable logistic regression and coarsened exact matching (CEM) were used to assess for an association between drainage system (PG vs. AS) and morbidity. The primary outcome was postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). Results: In total, 3430 patients were included: 563 (16.4%) with PG and 2867 (83.6%) with AS drainage system. On multivariable regression, 1787 patients were included. Drainage type was not associated with POPF, surgical site infection, delayed gastric emptying, or re-operation. AS drainage was protective against percutaneous drain insertion (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.44–0.96, p = 0.033). In the CEM cohort (n = 268), superficial SSI was higher in the AS group (0.8% vs. 6.0%, p = 0.036). There was a trend toward higher rates of composite total SSI (PG 15.7%, AS 23.9%, p = 0.092) and organ space SSI (PG 14.2%, AS 20.2%, p = 0.195) in the AS group; this did not demonstrate statistical significance. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that AS drainage is protective against percutaneous drain insertion, but may be associated with increased risk of SSI. There was no relation between drainage type and POPF. A prospective, randomized controlled trial is warranted to further explore these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This network meta-analysis aimed to identify the reconstruction technique associated with lowest rates of DGE following pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) from randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase and MEDLINE databases was carried out using the PRISMA framework to identify all RCTs comparing reconstruction techniques of gastrojejunostomy after PD, with overall DGE as the primary endpoint. The primary outcome measure was overall DGE. Secondary outcomes were grade B/C DGE, duration of nasogastric tube, time to solid food intake, overall and grade B/C pancreatic fistula, bile leaks, reoperation, length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality. Results: The search strategy identified eight RCTs including 761 patients. Six RCTs compared antecolic (n = 291 patients) and retrocolic Billroth II (n = 289 patients) reconstruction (n = 6 studies), and two RCTs compared antecolic Billroth II (n = 92 patients) and Roux-en-Y (n = 89 patients) reconstruction. Overall, antecolic Billroth II ranked best for overall and grade B/C DGE, bile leak, surgical site infection, length of stay and in-hospital mortality. Roux-en-Y was best for overall and grade B/C pancreatic fistula. Conclusion: Antecolic Billroth II gastroenteric reconstruction is associated with the lowest rates of delayed gastric emptying after PD amongst the currently available techniques of gastrojejunostomy reconstructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Latero-lateral duodenojejunostomy is the treatment of choice for superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS). The present study analyzes the long-term outcomes in 13 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for SMAS. Materials and methods: A retrospective study of 10 females and three males undergoing surgery between 2001 and 2013 was performed. Demographic, clinical and radiologic data and long-term surgical outcomes were recorded. In 12 patients latero-lateral duodenojejunostomy and in one patient distal laparoscopic gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction were performed. The median age was 24 years (20–28), and the median duration of symptoms was 24 months (5–24). The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain (n = 11; 92.3%), nausea and vomiting (n = 10; 77%) and weight loss (n = 9; 69.2%). The median operating time was 98 min (86–138) and hospital stay was 3 days (1–14). Results: No reconversions occurred, and one patient experienced gastric emptying delay in the immediate postoperative period with spontaneous resolution. In four patients, SMAS was associated with severe stenosis of the celiac trunk which was treated in the same operation, and four patients presented stenosis of the left renal vein (the "nutcracker" phenomenon). With a median follow-up of 94 months (SD 65.3), eight patients (61.5%) had excellent results. One patient had a relapse of symptoms 4 years after surgery requiring distal gastrectomy, two patients presented delay in gastric emptying following temporary improvement and one patient experienced no improvement. Conclusions: Latero-lateral duodenojejunostomy yields good results in SMAS although it requires other gastric motility disorders to be ruled out for appropriate treatment to be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prophylactic administration of somatostatin analogues (SA) to reduce the incidence of post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains contentious. This meta-analysis evaluated its impact on outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Methods: The EMBASE, MEDLINE and Cochrane databases were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating prophylactic SA following PD. Comparative effects were summarised as odds ratio and weighted mean difference based on an intention to treat. Quantitative pooling of the effect sizes was derived using the random-effects model. Main results: Twelve RCTs were included involving 1615 patients [SA-treated group (n = 820) and control group (n = 795)]. The SA used included somatostatin-14, pasireotide, vapreotide and octreotide. Pooling of the data showed no significant benefit of its use for the primary outcome measure of all grades of POPF, odds ratio (OR) 0.73 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.51–1.05, p = 0.09] and clinically relevant POPF, OR 0.48 [95% CI, 0.22–1.06, p = 0.07]. There were no benefits in the secondary outcome measures of delayed gastric emptying, OR 0.98 [95% CI, 0.57–1.69, p = 0.94]; infected abdominal collections, OR 0.80 [95% CI, 0.44–1.43, p = 0.80]; reoperation rates, OR 1.24 [95% CI, 0.73–2.13, p = 0.42]; duration of hospital stay, − 0.23 [95% CI −.59 to 1.13, p = 0.74]; and mortality, 1.78 [95% CI, 0.94–3.39, p = 0.08]. Conclusion: SA did not improve the post-operative outcomes following PD, including reducing the incidence of POPF. The routine administration of SA cannot be recommended following PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is significant interest and controversy surrounding the effect of restrictive fluid management on outcomes in major gastrointestinal surgery. This has been most studied in colorectal surgery, although the literature relating to pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) patients is growing. The aim of this paper was to generate a comprehensive review of the available evidence for restrictive perioperative fluid management strategies and outcomes in PD.Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to April 2017. A review protocol was utilized and registered with PROSPERO. Primary citations that evaluated perioperative fluid management in PD, including those as part of a clinical pathway, were considered. The primary outcome was postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). Secondary outcomes included delayed gastric emptying (DGE), complication rate, length of stay (LOS), mortality, and readmission.Results: A total of six studies involving 846 patients were included (2009-2015), of which four were RCTs. Pooled analysis of RCTs and high-quality observational studies found no effect of restrictive intraoperative fluid management on POPF, DGE, complication rate, LOS, mortality, and readmission. Only one study assessed postoperative fluid management exclusively and found prolonged LOS in patients in the restricted fluid group.Conclusion: Based on results of RCTs and high-quality observational studies, intraoperative fluid restriction in PD has not been shown to significantly affect postoperative outcomes. There are too few studies assessing postoperative fluid management to draw conclusions at this time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) following hiatus hernia surgery may affect a substantial number of patients with adverse clinical consequences. Here, we aim to evaluate the impact of DGE following laparoscopic repair of very large hiatus hernias on patients’ quality of life, gastrointestinal symptomatology, and daily function.Methods: Analysis of data collected from a multicenter prospective randomised trial of patients who underwent laparoscopic mesh versus sutured repair of very large hiatus hernias (>50% of stomach in chest). DGE was defined as gastric food retention visualised at endoscopy after 6 h of fasting at 6 months post-surgery. Quality of life (QOL), gastrointestinal symptomatology, and daily function were assessed with the SF-36 questionnaire, Visick scoring and structured surveys administered prior to surgery and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery.Results: Nineteen of 102 (18.6%) patients had DGE 6 months after surgery. QOL questionnaires were completed in at least 80% of patients across all time points. Compared with controls, the DGE group demonstrated significantly lower SF-36 physical component scores, delayed improvement in health transition, more adverse gastrointestinal symptoms, higher Visick scores and a slower rate of return to normal daily activities. These differences were still present 12 months after surgery.Conclusions: DGE following large hiatus hernia repair is associated with a negative impact on quality of life at follow-up to 12 months after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many mini-invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (MIPD) techniques have been reported, but their advantages with respect to an open technique (OPD) and with respect to each other are unclear.Method: A systematic literature search of studies comparing different types of MIPD was carried out: laparoscopic-assisted (LAPD), totally robotic (TRPD), totally laparoscopic (TLPD) or totally laparoscopic—robotic assisted (TLPD-RA) to OPD. The primary endpoint was postoperative mortality. The secondary endpoints were intraoperative, postoperative and oncological outcomes. A network meta-analysis was designed to generate direct, indirect and mixed estimate effects, between different approaches, for each variable. The effects were reported as pairwise comparisons and hierarchical ranking as to each approach could be the best or the worst for each outcome, expressed by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve.Results: Twenty studies were identified, involving 2759 patients: 1813 OPDs, 81 LAPDs, 505 TRPDs, 224 TLPDs and 136 TLPD-RAs. No differences regarding postoperative mortality were found in pairwise comparison. The LAPD technique had a high probability of being the worst approach, while TRPD had a high probability of being one of the best. Regarding the secondary endpoints, OPD was the best regarding operative time and postoperative bleeding, but the worst regarding blood loss and wound infection. The TRPD or TLPD-RA techniques seemed to be the best for delayed gastric emptying, length of hospital stay, harvested lymph nodes and postoperative morbidity. The TLPD technique was often the worst approach, especially for overall and major complications, postoperative bleeding and biliary leak.Conclusion: The safest MIPDs are those involving a robotic system which seems to have a promising role in ameliorating the outcomes of OPD, especially when compared to a laparoscopic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nasogastric tube placement after abdominal surgery has been a standard procedure for many decades. In pancreatoduodenectomy, delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is still a leading postoperative complication, often resulting in patient anxiety or depression and prolonged hospital stays. Such complications have led many surgeons to prefer postoperative nasogastric decompression because of the greater risk of DGE. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the DGE and perioperative outcomes after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) with or without routine gastrostomy. Methods: From May 2009 to December 2014, 228 patients underwent PPPD at the Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University. The first cohort of 116 patients underwent surgery before June 2012 and uniformly underwent gastric decompression as a part of postoperative management. The second cohort of 112 patients underwent operation after July 2012, and gastric decompression was selectively used to facilitate exposure during operation and was removed in the operating room at the end of surgery. We evaluated DGE incidence, time to dietary tolerance, length of hospital stay, and postoperative gastric tube reinsertion rates. Results: Gastric re-decompression was necessary in 38 patients (16.7 %), and there was a significant difference between the two groups ( p = 0.006). Eleven (9.8 %) patients in the no-tube gastrostomy group required nasogastric tube reinsertion, and 27 (23.3 %) in the routine gastrostomy group required that the gastrostomy tube be re-drainage. There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency or severity of complications such as delayed gastric emptying or pancreatic leakage. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that routine postoperative gastric decompression can be safely avoided in patients who undergo PPPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Delayed gastric emptying after esophagectomy with gastric replacement can pose a significant postoperative problem, often leading to aspiration and pneumonia. The present study analyzes retrospectively the effectiveness of endoscopic pyloric dilatation for post-surgical gastric outlet obstruction. Methods: Between March 2006 and March 2010, 403 patients underwent a transthoracic en-bloc esophagectomy and reconstruction with a gastric tube and intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy. In patients with postoperative symptoms of an outlet dysfunction and the confirmation by endoscopy, pyloric dilatations were performed without preference with either 20- or 30-mm balloons. Results: A total of 89 balloon dilatations of the pylorus after esophagectomy were performed in 60 (15.6 %) patients. In 21 (35 %) patients, a second dilatation of the pylorus was performed. 55 (61.8 %) dilatations were performed with a 30-mm balloon and 34 (38.2 %) with a 20-mm balloon. The total redilatation rate for the 30-mm balloon was 20 % ( n = 11) and 52.9 % ( n = 18) for the 20-mm balloon ( p < 0.001). All dilatations were performed without any complications. Conclusions: Pylorus spasm contributes to delayed gastric emptying leading to postoperative complications after esophagectomy. Endoscopic pyloric dilatation after esophagectomy is a safe procedure for treatment of gastric outlet obstruction. The use of a 30-mm balloon has the same safety profile but a 2.5 lower redilatation rate compared to the 20-mm balloon. Thus, the use of 20-mm balloons has been abandoned in our clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A difficult management problem for the upper gastrointestinal surgeon exists when a patient presents with symptomatic and refractory severe delayed gastric emptying. Surgical treatment is further complicated by coexisting gastro-oesophageal reflux. No universal surgical strategy exists for this problem. Methods: A novel surgical strategy combines partial sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and hiatus hernia (HH) repair with fundoplication. A review of treating four such patients is described with objective outcome data. Results: Overall, solid gastric emptying improved in all, from median 350 (163-488) min pre-operatively to 108 (84-135) at 10 months (3-24) post-operatively, corresponding to 67 % improvement. Primary symptoms resolved in all; however, one patient had recurrent symptoms. GERD-HRQL also improved in all, from median 23 (3-25) to 4 (0-8) at 21 months (6-30, 83 % improvement). Gas bloat improved in three. All had post-operative gastroscopies showing intact repair and absent oesophagitis, with no patient requiring post-operative PPI. Patient weight reduced by median 11 % (7-20) post-operatively. There was no significant peri-operative morbidity. Conclusions: With careful patient selection and work-up, SG and HH repair with fundoplication may improve quality of life by coupling adequate reflux control with improved gastric emptying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We showed in a previous study that pylorus-resecting pancreaticoduodenectomy (PrPD), which divides the stomach adjacent to the pylorus ring, preserves more than 95 % of the stomach and significantly reduced the incidence of delayed gastric emptying (DGE) compared with pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PpPD). However, long-term outcomes of PrPD and the adverse effect of early postoperative DGE on long-term outcomes remain unclear. Methods: A total of 130 patients enrolled in a previous study were followed for 24 months after surgery. Primary endpoint was whether PrPD is a better surgical procedure than PpPD regarding long-term outcomes. Results: Weight loss > grade 2 (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, Version 4.03) at 24 months after surgery was significantly better in group PrPD (16.2 %) than in group PpPD (42.2 %) ( p = 0.011). Nutritional status and late postoperative complications were similar for the two groups. The incidence of weight loss > grade 2 at 24 months was 63.6 % in DGE patients with DGE and 25.3 % in non-DGE patients ( p = 0.010). T (time to peak CO content in C-acetate breath test) at 24 months in DGE patients was significantly delayed compared with that in non-DGE patients (27.9 ± 22.7 vs. 16.5 ± 10.1 min, p = 0.023). Serum albumin level at 24 months was higher in non-DGE patients than in those with DGE (3.7 ± 0.6 vs. 4.1 ± 0.4 g/dl, p = 0.013). Conclusions: PrPD offers long-term outcomes similar to those of PpPD. DGE may be associated with weight loss and poor nutritional status in patients with long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (SSPPD), in which the pylorus ring is resected and most of the stomach is preserved, has been performed recently in Japan. This study was undertaken to clarify the incidence of delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after SSPPD at a high-volume hospital and to determine the independent factors that influence the development of DGE after SSPPD. Methods: Between 2002 and 2011, 201 consecutive patients underwent standardized SSPPD. After SSPPD, DGE (defined according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery) was analyzed, and associated variables were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses, retrospectively. Results: Clinically significant DGE (grades B and C) occurred in 35 (17 %) of the 201 patients; 26 patients had other accompanying abdominal complications (secondary DGE), and pancreatic leakage was the sole risk factor for DGE (odds ratio 6.63, 95 % CI 2.86-15.74; p < 0.001). Only nine (4 % of all patients) of the 35 patients with clinically significant DGE were classified as having DGE that had arisen without any obvious etiology (primary DGE). Conclusions: DGE after SSPPD is strongly linked to the occurrence of other postoperative intra-abdominal complications such as pancreatic fistula. The incidence rate of primary DGE after SSPPD was 4 %. Although the ISGPS classification of DGE is clearly applicable, the grades do not explain why DGE occurs. Primary and secondary DGE should therefore be defined separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is of considerable concern in patients undergoing pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD). Prolonged hospital stay, increased cost, and decreased quality of life add on to interventions needed to treat DGE. This study was conducted to determine if performing duodenojejunostomy via the antecolic rather than the retrocolic route improved incidence of DGE. Methods: Patients undergoing PPPD between April 2007 and November 2009 were randomized for either antecolic or retrocolic reconstruction of the duodenojejunostomy. DGE was then assessed by clinical criteria on postoperative day (POD) 10. A paracetamol absorption test was also administered with a liquid meal, and serial plasma levels of intestinal peptides were measured. Results: Overall, 64 patients were amenable for analysis: 36 in the antecolic group and 28 in the retrocolic group. The incidences of DGE on POD 10 were 17.6 and 23.1 % (antecolic vs. retrocolic, respectively) ( p = 0.628). The two groups did not differ in regard to their median (interquartile range) postoperative hospital length of stay [13.0 (10.0-17.5) vs. 12.5 (11.0-17.0) days; p = 0.446], time to regular diet [5 (5-7) vs. 5 (4-6) days; p = 0.353], or morbidity (52.9 vs. 50.0 %; p = 0.777). The median length of nasogastric tube decompression was similar in the two groups [4 (3-7) vs. 3 (3-5) days; p = 0.600]. Levels of paracetamol and glucagon-like peptide-1 were markedly decreased in patients with DGE. Conclusions: Antecolic reconstruction after PPPD does not improve the occurrence/the incidence of DGE and is similar to retrocolic reconstruction with regard to secondary outcome parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) occurs frequently after pancreatic surgery. Recently a consensus definition of DGE was introduced, and this grading system is currently widely used. The aim of this study was to compare results of gastric emptying scintigraphy with the grade of DGE after pancreatic surgery. Methods: In 44 patients undergoing exploration for a pancreatic head or periampullary tumor, 28 pancreatoduodenectomies (PDs) and 16 double-bypass procedures were performed. All patients underwent preoperative and postoperative gastric emptying scintigraphy. We investigated whether the incidence of DGE was correlated with the results of gastric emptying scintigraphy. Results: DGE occurred in 19 (43 %) patients. Clinically relevant DGE (grades B and C) prevailed in the PD group. Median postoperative residual activity at t = 2 h (%RA120) in these groups was 36 % (no DGE), 75 % (grade A), 93 % (grade B), and 95 % (grade C). DGE grade B or C was found in 7 of 10 patients with %RA120 of ≥94 % on postoperative day (POD) 7. Conclusions: Postoperative %RA120 on scintigraphy is positively associated with severity of DGE. Gastric emptying scintigraphy on POD 7 can predict the severity of DGE. When postoperative gastric emptying scintigraphy shows high residual radioactivity, the likelihood of further progression to grade B or C DGE is high and warrants investigation for underlying causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Revision antireflux surgery and large hiatal hernia repair require extensive dissection at the gastroesophageal junction. This may lead to troublesome symptoms due to delayed gastric emptying, eventually requiring gastrectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of gastrectomy for severely delayed gastric emptying after large hiatal hernia repair or redo antireflux surgery. Methods: Eleven patients were treated between 1995 and 2010 and entered in the study. Preoperative and operative data were retrospectively collected. Standardized questionnaires were sent to all of the patients to evaluate symptomatic outcome. Results: The primary intervention was Nissen fundoplication in nine patients, Toupet fundoplication in one, and cruroplasty in another. The repairs were for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease in five patients and a symptomatic large hiatal hernia in six. Subsequent gastrectomy was partial in four patients, subtotal in six, and total in one. There was one minor postoperative complication. After a mean (±SD) duration of 102 ± 59 months, nine patients were available for symptomatic follow-up. Eight patients experienced daily symptoms related to dumping. Daily symptoms indicative of delayed gastric emptying were present in seven patients at follow-up. Mean general quality of life was increased from 3.8 ± 2.2 before gastrectomy to 5.4 ± 1.8 at follow-up. Eight patients reported gastrectomy as worthwhile. Conclusion: Gastrectomy after previous antireflux surgery or large hiatal hernia repair is safe with the potential to improve quality of life. Although upper gastrointestinal symptoms tend to persist, gastrectomy can be considered a reasonable, last-resort surgical option for alleviating upper gastrointestinal symptoms after this kind of surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of pyloric digital fracture for the prevention of early delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after high-level esophagogastrostomy. Methods: From January 2004 to March 2009, we sequentially enrolled 78 patients after esophagogastrostomy: 48 patients with pyloric digital fracture (DF group) and 30 patients without any drainage procedure (non-DF group). Intraoperative manometric study was performed in 48 patients of the DF group. Postoperative evaluation was performed, including symptomatic questionnaire, radiographic study, and gastric scintigraphy. Results: Intraoperative manometric study revealed that basal pyloric pressure and peak pressure of pylorus in phase III of the migrating motor complex increased significantly after gastric conduit was made and anastomosed, but decreased appreciably following digital fracture. Compared with the peak pressure of IPPW before digital fracture (88.52 ± 19.88 mmHg), it appreciably decreased following digital fracture (40.45 ± 13.52 mmHg). Occurrences of IPPW (in 10 min) and duration time of each occurrence (s) had similar trends for before and after digital fracture (11.5 ± 4.5 vs. 5.0 ± 3.5 and 7.0 ± 2.0 vs. 3.0 ± 1.0, respectively). Postoperative evaluation demonstrated that early DGE occurred in four patients in the non-DF group (13.3%), and there was no DGE patient in the DF group. There was significant difference regarding gastric scores between the DF group and the non-DF group (10.5 ± 3.4 vs. 16.7 ± 3.8, t = 2.8271, P < 0.05). Gastric scintigraphy revealed that either semi-emptying-time or percent of retention at 4 h of the DF group was significantly lower than that of the non-DF group. Conclusion: Pyloric digital fracture can prevent early DGE after high-level esophagogastrostomy efficaciously and conveniently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify the significance of preserving pyloric and hepatic branches of the vagal nerve (PHV) after pylorus preserving distal gastrectomy (PPG) for early gastric cancer, the author investigated the postgastrectomy syndrome and gastric emptying function at 5 years in PPG patients with or without preserving the PHV. A total of 18 subjects (mucosal cancers) who underwent PPG with D1 lymph node dissection and preserving the PHV; they comprised group A—12 men and 6 women aged 38–68 years (mean 58.9 years). They were interviewed to inquire about gastrointestinal symptom (appetite, weight loss, gastric fullness, reflux esophagitis, early dumping syndrome) and then were compared with 24 PPG patients (submucosal cancers) with D2 lymph node dissection without preserving the PHV (group B—16 men and 8 women aged 33 to 69 years, mean 60.1 years). Esophagogastric endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, and gastric emptying function tests (GET) were undertaken, the latter by both radioisotope (solid diet) and acetaminophen (liquid diet) methods. There were no differences in the postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms, endoscopic reflux esophagitis, or endoscopic mucosal edema and redness (gastropathy) between groups A and B. However, more cholecystolithiasis (gallbladder stones) was found in group A than in group B, with the difference being significant ( P < 0.0391). The GET for solid diet and liquid diet were the almost same among groups A and B. There were no significant differences in the postoperative QOL and GET between PPG patients with preserving PHV and those without preserving PHV. Cholecystolithiasis was only found in patients without preserving PHV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) have been employed for gastric cancer, with PPG having been reported to be superior to DG in regard to postoperative quality of life. Some patients with these operations still suffer from gastric stasis, however. In this study, we aimed to examine the clinical effects of rikkunshito on patients who were to undergo PPG. A total of 11 patients who were scheduled to undergo PPG for early gastric cancer at the Osaka University Hospital were enrolled. The patients were randomly assigned to the crossover study with and without rikkunshito 7.5 g/day. Questionnaires and emptying tests using 111In-labeled liquid scintigraphy and 99mTc-labeled solid scintigraphy were performed at the end of each treatment period. Stasis-related symptoms were significantly reduced during rikkunshito treatment ( p = 0.043). The emptying test showed that rikkunshito improved emptying of solid meals ( p = 0.0003) from the remnant stomach but did not accelerate gastric empting of liquid meals. Rikkunshito improved gastric emptying and ameliorated postoperative symptoms of patients who had undergone a PPG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main advantage of the Roux-en-Y (RY) operation is that it prevents bile and pancreatic juice from reaching the gastric mucosa, although the gastrojejunostomy may cause functional delayed gastric emptying (DGE), known as RY stasis syndrome. Rho-shaped Roux-en-Y reconstruction (rRY), an RY reconstruction with a rho-shaped anastomosis, is an established operation that has been found to be effective in preventing DGE. We conducted the randomized trial of RY versus rRY reconstruction after gastric cancer resection. The primary endpoint was the frequency of DGE, and secondary endpoints were the length of postoperative hospital stay, morbidity, and nutritional status. Seventy patients were enrolled, with 35 in each group. The incidences of postoperative mortality and morbidity did not differ significantly between the two groups. There were no significant differences in nutritional status between the two groups after discharge. Delayed gastric emptying occurred in two patients (6%) in the RY group and four patients (11%) in the rRY group ( P = 0.67). Logistic regression analysis revealed that truncal vagotomy was significantly associated with DGE inhibition. Our findings showed that RY reconstruction after gastrectomy may be as simple and sufficient as conventional reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]