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Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of transanastomotic pancreatic duct internal stenting in the reduction of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Mayo Clinic. Patients: Between January 1, 1999, and September 30, 2010, 553 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy by a single surgeon. Main Outcome Measures: Rates of POPF, morbidity, and mortality between stent and no-stent groups. Results: The clinically relevant POPF (International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula definition grade B or C) rates in the stent and no-stent groups were similar (9.6% [43 of 449 patients] and 12.5% [13 of 104 patients], respectively; P=.38). Postoperative outcomes and morbidity were also similar between the 2 groups. Mortality was 0.7% (3 of 449 patients) for the stent group and 1.0% (1 of 104 patients) for the no-stent group. Four patients (0.9%) required endoscopic retrieval of the anastomotic stent. In subset analysis, the clinically relevant POPF rates in patients with a small pancreatic duct (⩽3 mm; n=167) were similar in the stent and no-stent groups (17.7% [23 of 130 patients] and 24.3% [9 of 37 patients], respectively; P=.38). In patients with a soft pancreatic gland (n=64), rates of clinically relevant pancreatic fistulae were also similar in the stent and no-stent groups (31.7% [13 of 41 patients] and 17.4% [4 of 23 patients], respectively; P=.20). Conclusions: Internal transanastomotic pancreatic duct stenting does not decrease the frequency or severity of POPF. The effect of stenting on long-term anastomotic patency warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypothesis: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) provides outcome advantages compared with open distal pancreatectomy (ODP)., Design: Single-institutional, retrospective review from January 1, 2004, to May 1, 2009., Setting: Tertiary referral center., Patients: Patients undergoing LDP (n = 100) were matched by age, pathologic diagnosis, and pancreatic specimen length to a cohort undergoing ODP (n = 100)., Main Outcome Measures: Perioperative outcomes and overall 30-day morbidity and mortality. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic or linear regression as appropriate., Results: Patients in the LDP group did not differ from those in the ODP group in age (mean, 59.0 vs 58.6 years; P = .85), sex (60% vs 50% female; P = .16), body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) (mean, 27.4 vs 27.9; P = .44), or American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3 or higher (58% vs 52%; P = .39). Tumor size was greater in the ODP group than in the LDP group (mean, 4.0 vs 3.3 cm; P = .02). The LDP group as compared with the ODP group demonstrated decreased blood loss (mean, 171 vs 519 mL; P < .001) and shorter duration of hospital stay (mean, 6.1 vs 8.6 days; P < .001). There were no differences between the LDP and ODP groups in operative time (mean, 214 vs 208 minutes; P = .50), pancreatic leak rate (17% vs 17%; P > .99), overall 30-day morbidity (34% vs 29%; P = .45), and 30-day mortality (3% vs 1%; P = .62)., Conclusions: The laparoscopic approach to distal pancreatectomy appears to provide advantages of reduced blood loss and length of hospital stay in selected patients compared with the open approach. Overall complication rates appear similar. Patient selection bias and limits of a retrospective analysis warrant prospective validation.

Objective: To assess the effect of R0 resection margin status and R0 en bloc resection in pancreatoduodenectomy outcomes., Design: Retrospective medical record review., Setting: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota., Patients: Patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma at our institution between January 1, 1981, and December 31, 2007, were identified and their medical records were reviewed., Main Outcome Measure: Median survival times., Results: A total of 617 patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy. Median survival times after R0 en bloc resection (n = 411), R0 non-en bloc resection (n = 57), R1 resection (n = 127), and R2 resection (n = 22) were 19, 18, 15, and 10 months, respectively (P < .001). A positive resection margin was associated with death (P = .01). No difference in survival time was found between patients undergoing R0 en bloc and R0 resections after reexcision of an initial positive margin (hazard ratio, 1.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-1.64; P = .28)., Conclusions: R0 resection remains an important prognostic factor. Achieving R0 status by initial en bloc resection or reexcision results in similar long-term survival.

Hypothesis: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is an increasingly recognized disease of the pancreas. We report our experience with pancreatic resection for IPMN., Design: Retrospective review from 1992 through 2005 with additional independent histopathologic confirmation., Setting: Mayo Clinic Rochester, a tertiary care center., Patients: All patients who underwent primary resection for pancreatic IPMN., Main Outcome Measures: Disease-specific operative outcomes, survival, and recurrence patterns., Results: Of 208 patients (mean age, 66 years) with IPMN of the pancreas, 168 underwent partial pancreatectomy, and 40 underwent total pancreatectomy; 88 were classified as having adenoma, 38 as having borderline neoplasm, 19 as having carcinoma in situ, and 63 as having invasive carcinoma. The prevalence of a malignant neoplasm was 64% in patients with main duct IPMN compared with 18% in patients with branch duct IPMN. Re-resection of the initial pancreatic margin was necessary in 21% of patients. Final negative margins were achieved in 89% of patients. Five-year survival with noninvasive IPMN was 94%. Patients with invasive IPMN had a similar 5-year survival compared with a matched cohort with ductal adenocarcinoma (31% vs 24%; P = .26). In patients with invasive IPMN, 58% experienced disease recurrence. In patients with noninvasive IPMN, 10% experienced disease recurrence after partial pancreatectomy and 0% experienced disease recurrence after total pancreatectomy., Conclusions: Patients with main duct IPMN or high-risk branch duct IPMN should be considered for targeted pancreatectomy. Invasive IPMN behaves as aggressively as ductal adenocarcinoma, but resection seems to provide the only potential for cure. Even with negative resection margins, the pancreatic remnant harbors a risk of recurrence and, thus, careful long-term surveillance is warranted.

Objective: To review our experience with management of pancreaticobiliary and duodenal (PB/D) perforations after periampullary endoscopic interventions. Although pancreaticobiliary and duodenal perforations after periampullary endoscopic procedures are rare, their management has not been well described., Patients: Individuals who experienced pancreaticobiliary and duodenal perforations., Main Outcome Measures: Comorbidities, interventions performed, mechanism/site of perforation, management, and hospital morbidity/mortality., Results: Seventy-five perforations (0.6%) occurred in 12,427 procedures; 20 perforations (27%) occurred during biliary stricture dilatation, 18 (24%) during diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and 15 (20%) during management of choledocholithiasis. Perforations were caused by guidewire insertion in 24 patients (32%), sphincterotomy in 11 (15%), passage of the endoscope in 8 (11%), or stent migration in 7 (9%) and were identified during the index procedure in 45 patients (60%). Delayed presentations included pain in 33 patients (44%), leukocytosis in 26 (35%), and/or fever in 13 (17%) and were diagnosed using computed tomography in 19 patients (25%) and abdominal radiography in 10 (13%); 9 cases (12%) were diagnosed more than 24 hours after the procedure. Indications for operative treatment were gaping duodenal perforations and perforations in patients with surgically altered anatomy. Indications for nonoperative management included contained bile duct perforations and focal duodenal perforations. Management was nonoperative in 53 patients (71%) and operative in 22 (29%). Patients with duodenal perforations, higher American Society of Anesthesia status (P<.01 each), and older age (mean +/- SEM, 65 +/- 4 vs 55 +/- 2 years; P = .02) were more likely to require operative management. Hospital stay (mean +/- SEM, 16 +/- 4 vs 4 +/- 1 days; P<.05) and mortality (13% vs 4%; P<.05) were greater in operative patients (P<.05 each)., Conclusions: Most (70%) pancreaticobiliary and duodenal perforations secondary to periampullary endoscopic interventions can be managed nonoperatively. Most biliary perforations can be managed nonoperatively; a requirement for operative treatment increases the mortality rate.

Hypothesis: Central pancreatectomy has been used sparingly because the spectrum of indications is quite narrow. Although historically used for traumatic pancreatic transection and chronic pancreatitis, it currently is reserved for selective management of pancreatic neck lesions that are benign or have low malignant potential. Varying morbidity rates have been published in the literature. Our objectives were to describe the technique and determine the safety and effectiveness of central pancreatectomy in the excision of benign or low-malignant potential lesions of the pancreatic neck., Design: Retrospective clinicopathologic data review., Setting: The Mayo Clinic surgical index was used to identify procedures matched for central, median, middle, or middle segment pancreatectomy., Patients: Eight patients (4 men, 4 women) underwent central pancreatectomy between 1998 and 2004., Intervention: Patients with pancreatic neck or proximal body masses underwent central pancreatectomy at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., Main Outcome Measures: Patients were followed up closely for postoperative complications during the initial hospital admission. On follow-up, long-term endocrine and exocrine function were determined based on laboratory values and patient history., Results: Abnormalities included 3 islet cell tumors, 2 serous cystadenomas, a mucinous cystadenoma, a lymphoepithelial cyst, and a recurrent liposarcoma. Mean tumor size was 2.8 cm and mean operative time was 4.8 hours with a mean blood loss of 381 mL. The most common complication was pancreatic leak (5 patients [63%]). Reoperation was necessary in 2 patients (25%), both secondary to hemorrhage. There was no mortality or new-onset diabetes mellitus. One patient transiently required oral pancreatic enzyme supplementation., Conclusions: Central pancreatectomy may preserve endocrine and exocrine function. While mortality is low, in our experience, central pancreatectomy is associated with a high complication rate. The most common complication is pancreatic leak. Caution is necessary when using central pancreatectomy in the treatment of pancreatic neck lesions. Surgeon experience is of utmost importance in this decision-making process as well as the technical aspects of central pancreatectomy. The precise role of central pancreatectomy in the management of benign or low-malignant potential lesions of the neck of the pancreas remains in evolution.

Hypothesis: Quality of life of patients after biliary reconstruction for laparoscopic injuries is comparable to that of patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy., Design: Outcomes study., Setting: Tertiary referral center., Patients: Records of 59 consecutive patients undergoing surgical reconstruction of the biliary tract after injury induced by laparoscopic cholecystectomy between 1990 and 1997 were reviewed. Hepp-Couinaud technique or Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was used in 53 patients; other procedures included cholangiojejunostomy, choledochorrhaphy, and hepaticoduodenostomy., Interventions: Quality-of-life questionnaires (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-36]) were mailed to each patient in the group and to patients who underwent uneventful laparoscopic cholecystectomy, matched individually by year, sex, and age group. Values from the general population matched by age and sex were gathered (national norms). Minimum time of follow-up was 5 years., Results: Eighty-nine (81%) of 110 potential respondents to the survey completed the SF-36 questionnaires. All 8 values evaluated in the SF-36 questionnaire (physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health index) for patients undergoing biliary reconstruction were similar to those of both their matched controls (all P >.10) and national norms (all P >.05). The standardized physical component scale was also similar between the 2 groups (cases vs controls, 51 vs 48; P =.47), as was the standardized mental component scale (cases vs controls, 55 vs 55; P =.60)., Conclusions: With a minimum of 5 years of follow-up, the quality of life after surgical biliary reconstruction compares favorably with that of both patients undergoing uneventful laparoscopic cholecystectomy and national norms.

Hypothesis: Major hepatectomy, bile duct resection, and regional lymphadenectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma are associated with actual long-term (>5 years) survival., Design: Retrospective outcome study., Setting: Single tertiary referral institution., Patients: Between 1979 and 1997, 46 consecutive patients had resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma by major hepatectomy, bile duct resection, and regional lymphadenectomy., Main Outcome Measures: Overall survival and tumor recurrence were correlated to clinicopathological factors, operative morbidity, and mortality., Results: Twenty-five patients underwent left hepatectomy, 17 underwent right hepatectomy, and 4 had extended right hepatectomy. Eighteen patients underwent resection of segment 1. Negative (R0) resection margins were achieved in 37 patients (80%). The operative mortality rate was 9%, and the surgical morbidity rate was 52%. Actual 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 80%, 39%, and 26%, respectively. Factors adversely associated with patient survival rates included: male sex, lymph node metastases, tumor grade 3 or 4, elevated direct serum bilirubin level at diagnosis, elevated preoperative activated partial thromboplastin time, and more than 4 U of red blood cells transfused perioperatively. Tumor size and R0 resection approached significance for survival. Factors associated with tumor recurrence included: male sex, tumor grade 3 or 4, a low hemoglobin level both at diagnosis and preoperatively, and a low preoperative prothrombin time and low alkaline phosphatase level at diagnosis and preoperatively. Median time to recurrence was 3.6 years. Tumor recurrence was predominantly local and regional., Conclusions: The actual 5-year survival rate of 26% justifies major partial hepatectomy, bile duct resection, and regional lymphadenectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The high frequency of local and regional recurrence warrants investigation of adjuvant therapy.

Hypothesis: En bloc partial hepatectomy with inferior vena cava (IVC) resection may be the only curative strategy for patients with hepatic malignancies involving the IVC., Design: Retrospective study., Setting: Tertiary referral center., Patients: All consecutive patients undergoing combined partial hepatectomy with segmental IVC resection and reconstruction between 1990 and 2002. Patients with tangential excision of the IVC were excluded. Follow-up was completed by outpatient clinic visits and mail correspondence., Main Outcome Measures: Perioperative outcomes; overall and recurrence-free survival., Results: Nineteen patients (7 men and 12 women) underwent partial hepatectomy and segmental IVC resection and reconstruction. Median age was 59 years (range, 24-74 years). Diagnoses consisted of cholangiocarcinoma (9 patients), metastatic tumor (5 patients), sarcoma (3 patients), and hepatocellular carcinoma (2 patients). Major hepatectomies (>/=3 segments) were performed in 15 patients; the caudate lobe was resected in 13. Hepatic vascular isolation was used in 13 patients. Ringed polytef grafts were used for IVC reconstruction in all but 1 patient. Transfusion was necessary in 18 patients (median requirement, 5 U). Median operative time was 6.3 hours (range, 3.7-9.0 hours), and hospitalization was 10.5 days (range, 6-41 days). Negative margins of resection were achieved in 16 patients. Complications occurred in 8 patients (42%), including 1 perioperative death (5%). There was evidence of mural thrombosis of the graft in 2 patients (both nonocclusive); warfarin sodium was used postoperatively in 14. Late graft thrombosis was evident in 2 patients. Median overall survival was 38 months (5-year survival, 21%), and recurrence-free survival was 11.5 months (5-year survival, 0%)., Conclusions: Patients with large tumors involving both the liver and the IVC are candidates for partial hepatectomy and segmental IVC resection. Resection affords the possibility of negative margins, acceptable perioperative morbidity and mortality, long-term graft patency, and prolonged survival.

Hypothesis: Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy (PSD) is a safe and effective operative procedure for patients with nonmalignant duodenal polyps., Design: Retrospective analysis of outcomes in patients undergoing PSD., Setting: A tertiary referral center., Patients: All patients undergoing PSD at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Indications were the presence of numerous duodenal polyps or large, solitary, adenomatous polyps not amenable to endoscopic resection. Dysplasia without frank malignancy was demonstrated in all patients by endoscopic biopsy specimens. Follow-up was complete in all patients., Main Outcome Measures: Operative feasibility, short- and long-term complications, quality of life, and survival., Results: Five patients had diffuse polyposis (familial adenomatous polyposis) and 3 had very large periampullary villous adenomas. The mean age of the patients was 54 years (female-male ratio, 3:1). Colectomy preceded PSD in 5 patients (familial adenomatous polyposis); 3 had previous transduodenal excision of adenomas, and 2 had previous resections of desmoid tumors. The mean operating room time was 370 minutes; blood loss, 340 mL; and the length of the hospital stay, 18 days. All specimens showed dysplasia (5 low grade, 3 high grade). There were 5 major complications--3 ampullary leaks that closed spontaneously with drainage, 1 intra-abdominal hemorrhage requiring a second exploratory surgical procedure, and 1 deep wound infection. The mean follow-up was 23 months. All patients experienced weight gain and good performance status. A second endoscopy (performed in 5 patients) demonstrated small polyps in the neoduodenum in 2 patients and tiny anastomotic ulcers in 2 patients. For 1 patient, there were no abnormalities seen on the endoscopy. Two patients have since developed transient bouts of pancreatitis., Conclusions: Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy, although technically demanding, eliminates the need for pancreatic resection. Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy is associated with good absorptive capacity, weight gain, and quality of life. Furthermore, it may reduce the risk of subsequent malignancy. Long-term surveillance, however, is still required. Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy is contraindicated in the setting of malignancy.

Hypothesis: For most patients with chronic obstructive pancreatitis, distal pancreatectomy confers pain relief., Design: Retrospective case series. Follow-up was complete in 80% of study subjects (mean follow-up, 6.7 years)., Setting: Tertiary care center., Patients: Among 484 patients with chronic pancreatitis undergoing operation from 1976 to 1997, 40 with postobstructive chronic pancreatitis were identified. Criteria for selection included an isolated, dominant major pancreatic duct stricture or cutoff, changes of chronic pancreatitis in the distal pancreas, and ostensibly normal parenchyma without calcification in the proximal gland. The patients were reviewed with regard to operative procedure, postoperative course, and outcome., Main Outcome Measures: Outcome measures included degree of pain relief, morbidity and mortality of operation, survival, rates of endocrine and exocrine insufficiency, and ability to return to work and/or normal activities., Results: All but 1 of the 40 patients had abdominal pain, and 20 (50%) had recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis. Suspicion of malignancy was a concern in 16 patients (40%). Thirty-eight patients underwent distal pancreatectomy; 1 had a central resection and another a Roux-en-Y cystojejunostomy. There was no operative mortality, but significant morbidity occurred in 15%. Among 31 patients with preoperative pain in whom long-term follow-up was available, complete or significant pain relief was achieved in 25 (81%); 74% returned to normal social function, but about half had some element of pancreatic insufficiency., Conclusions: Distal pancreatectomy is a safe procedure and achieves pain relief and good quality of life in a large percentage of patients (80%) with presumed postobstructive chronic pancreatitis. However, some of these patients with chronic pancreatitis involving the entire gland have disease masquerading as postobstructive chronic pancreatitis secondary to an ostensibly isolated dominant pancreatic ductal stricture.

Hypothesis: Survival of patients with adenocarcinoma of the duodenum depends on the ability to perform a complete resection and the tumor stage, Design: Retrospective case series., Setting: Tertiary care referral center., Patients: A cohort of 101 consecutive patients (mean age, 62 years), undergoing surgery for duodenal adenocarcinoma from January 1, 1976, through December 31, 1996. Patients with ampullary carcinoma were specifically excluded. Mean duration of follow-up was 4 years., Interventions: Surgery was curative in 68 patients (67%) and palliative in 33 patients (33%). Of the curative group, 50 patients (74%) underwent radical surgery, ie, 30 (60%), pancreaticoduodenectomy; 15 (30%), pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy; and 5 (10%), total pancreatectomy. A more limited resection procedure was used in 18 patients (26%) involving a segmental duodenal resection in 15 (83%) and a transduodenal excision in 3 (17%). patient survival, and correlation with patient and tumor variables using univariate and multivariate analysis., Results: Actuarial 5-year survival for the curative group was 54%. Only 1 patient in the unresected group survived beyond 3 years. Nodal metastasis (P = .002), advanced tumor stage (P<.001), positive resection margin (P = .02), and weight loss (P<.001) had a significant negative impact on survival in multivariate analysis. Tumor grade, size, and location within the duodenum had no impact on survival. Patient age and tumor depth of invasion influenced survival in univariate analysis, but lost their prognostic significance in multivariate analysis., Conclusions: Metastasis to lymph nodes, advanced tumor stage, and positive resection margins are associated with decreased survival in patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma. An aggressive surgical approach that achieves complete tumor resection with negative margins should be pursued. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is usually required for cancers of the first and second portion of the duodenum. Segmental resection may be appropriate for selected patients, especially for tumors of the distal duodenum.

Hypothesis: For patients with head-dominant, small-duct chronic pancreatitis who require operative intervention, pancreatoduodenectomy can be performed safely and affords satisfactory pain relief in most., Design: Retrospective case series. Follow-up was complete in 86% of study subjects (average, 6.6 years)., Setting: Tertiary care center., Patients: Among 484 consecutive cases of chronic pancreatitis treated surgically from January 1976 through April 1997, 105 (22%) in which pancreatoduodenectomy was performed were reviewed with regard to criteria for selection, operative procedure, postoperative course. and long-term outcome., Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measure was degree of pain relief. Additionally, late mortality, cause of death, the presence of endocrine and exocrine insufficiency, and quality of life were recorded., Results: There were 72 men (69%) and 33 women (31%) with a mean age of 51 years (range, 24-77 years). The cause of chronic pancreatitis was alcohol related in 58 patients (55%) and idiopathic in 41 (39%). Clinical manifestations included abdominal pain in 86 patients (82%), obstructive jaundice in 27 (26%), and vomiting in 11 (11%). Suspicion of malignant neoplasm was a concern in 67 patients (64%). Operative morbidity was 32%, and mortality, 3%. Mean hospital stay was 16 days (range, 12-82 days). Survival was significantly lower than that of age-matched controls. Among 66 patients with preoperative pain, pain relief was achieved in 59 (89%); it was complete in 44 patients (67%) and partial in 15 (23%). Operation resulted in a significant increase in patients with normal functional status (73 patients [81%] vs 51 [49%]; P<.001). Forty patients (48%) had diabetes. Steatorrhea was observed in 39 patients (43%), while weight maintenance or gain occurred in 59 (66%)., Conclusions: Pancreatoduodenectomy achieves pain relief and good quality of life in a large percentage of selected patients with small-duct, head-dominant disease and is especially useful when a malignant neoplasm must be excluded. Morbidity and mortality are acceptable in experienced hands. Onset of diabetes and steatorrhea, while reflecting the natural course of the disease, is likely accelerated by pancreatoduodenectomy.

Hypothesis: The Hepp-Couinaud approach to biliary enteric reconstruction for laparoscopic bile duct injuries provides a durable, long-term result in most patients., Design: Retrospective study of patients who underwent operative repair of laparoscopic bile duct injuries from January 1990 through December 1997., Setting: Academic tertiary referral center., Main Outcome Measures: Outcome was assessed using a grading system based on clinical symptoms, liver function tests, and need for reintervention for anastomotic stricture. The Kaplan-Meier method was employed to estimate stricture-free survival., Results: Fifty-nine consecutive patients underwent operative repair of the following laparoscopic bile duct injuries (Strasberg classification): B: n = 2 (3%), C: n = 1 (1%), D: n= 2 (3%), E1: n= 5 (8%), E2: n= 16 (27%), E3: n= 25 (42%), E4: n = 5 (8%), and E5: n = 3 (5%). Forty-seven patients (80%) had 1 or more interventions prior to the index repair. The extrahepatic left bile duct (Hepp-Couinaud approach) was used in 46 of 53 patients who underwent a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Follow-up (mean+/-SEM, 3.7+/-0.3 years) was complete in 54 of the 57 patients still alive. Five patients developed subsequent anastomotic strictures and were treated with percutaneous transhepatic dilation (n = 3), endoscopic dilation (n = 1), and operative revision (n= 1). Excellent to good long-term results were achieved in the remaining 49 patients (91%). Life-table analysis yielded 95% and 88% chances of stricture-free survival at 2 and 5 years, respectively., Conclusions: Complex iatrogenic proximal bile duct injuries and strictures are amenable to operative repair using the extrahepatic left bile duct. The Hepp-Couinaud approach offers a durable result in more than 90% of patients, even after previous interventions have failed.

Objective: To determine if the presence of duodenal diverticula predisposes to the development of common bile duct stones., Design: Cohort study; median follow-up, 10.0 years (25th and 75th percentiles, 5.2 and 16.1 years, respectively)., Setting: Tertiary care center., Patients: One hundred fifty-seven patients with radiologically diagnosed duodenal diverticula who had undergone cholecystectomy from 1950 through 1987 and were asymptomatic at the initiation of follow-up., Main Outcome Measures: All patients were followed up for evidence of recurrent biliary tract disease to the following end points: (1) evidence of choledocholithiasis demonstrated by radiologic surgical, or biochemical means and (2) clinical or biochemical evidence of biliary pancreatitis., Results: Of the 157 patients in the study cohort, 13 patients were categorized as having had recurrent biliary tract disease. Using the Kaplan-Meier survivorship method, the cumulative probabilities of recurrent biliary tract disease in patients with radiologically diagnosed duodenal diverticula were 3.6% at 5 years (95% confidence interval, 0.5-6.9), 5.5% at 10 years (95% confidence interval, 1.5-9.4), and 10.2% at 15 years (95% confidence interval, 3.8-16.7). Age, common bile duct exploration and choledochotomy, and the presence of common bile duct dilatation were not found to be significantly associated with recurrence based on a univariate analysis of risk factors by means of the log-rank statistic., Conclusions: For patients with radiologically diagnosed, second-portion duodenal diverticula, the risk of developing recurrent bile duct stones after cholecystectomy is lower than has been suggested in previous studies. In the absence of concurrent choledocholithiasis, sphincterotomy or biliary bypass at the time of cholecystectomy seems unwarranted.

Objective: To evaluate the results of selective intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy., Design: Retrospective study., Setting: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, from 1990 to 1991., Patients: Five hundred forty-two patients underwent attempted laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Excluding 28 (5.2%) who underwent conversion to laparotomy and 19 (3.5%) who did not respond to a follow-up questionnaire, there were 495 respondents (mean follow-up, 25 months)., Main Outcome Measure: Incidence and management of choledocholithiasis, extrahepatic bile duct injuries, and other findings potentially affected by IOC., Results: Twenty patients underwent preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for suspected common bile duct abnormalities, and 10 had common bile duct stones removed. Nearly a third (n = 161 [32.5%]) of the patients underwent IOC for laboratory, historical, or operative findings or for training purposes. Common bile duct stones were discovered on IOC in five patients (3.1%), three of whom were treated successfully with postoperative endoscopic therapy; the two others had normal findings on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (false-positive results of IOC). In three other patients in whom IOC was unsuccessful or incomplete, symptomatic common bile duct stones developed. Two patients were treated with endoscopic techniques, and one required open common bile duct exploration. Among the 334 patients who did not undergo IOC, symptoms suggestive of retained stones developed in eight (2.4%) (all within 2 months of surgery; mean, 18 days), but stones were found at endoscopy retrograde cholangiopancreatography in only four patients. Two had preoperative criteria for performing IOC. In only three patients (0.6%) from the study population would symptomatic retained common bile duct stones have developed with selective IOC and routinely successful IOC. No common bile duct injuries occurred., Conclusions: Selective IOC during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe practice when the ductal anatomy is clearly defined and there is no laboratory or clinical evidence of common bile duct abnormalities. Symptomatic retained common bile duct stones will be infrequent, and bile duct injuries will be rare when IOC is performed for the appropriate indications. These data do not support the need for routine IOC, although this procedure is an essential tool for the laparoscopic surgeon.

In patients with occult lower gastrointestinal bleeding, locating of the source of the hemorrhage can be quite difficult. While multiple diagnostic tests may confirm a small bowel source of bleeding, precise localization allowing a directed, conservative surgical resection may be problematic. We describe three patients each of whom presented with hemorrhage from the small intestine. The preoperative use of highly selective angiographic catheter placement combined with intraoperative methylene blue dye injection allowed us to precisely locate the source of hemorrhage and to resect a conservative length of small intestine. This technique has been successful in the three patients herein, and we believe that it should be included in the options available to the surgeon.

Objectives: To elucidate the clinical and pathologic features of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas and to identify prognostic variables in patients treated surgically., Design: Retrospective review of clinical records of patients undergoing surgical exploration for cholangiocarcinoma, with univariate and multivariate analyses of the clinical and pathologic factors that influenced patient survival., Setting: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., Study Participants: One hundred seventy-one patients undergoing operative intervention for diagnostic, palliative, or curative reasons between 1976 and 1985. Follow-up was complete until death or for a minimum of 5 years for surviving patients., Intervention: A curative surgical resection was performed in 29% of patients, while the remainder underwent tumor biopsy or a palliative procedure., Main Outcome Measure: Patient survival following operative treatment., Results: The operative mortality in this patient cohort was 5% and median survival was 13 months. Overall 5-year survival was 16%, with 44% of patients having a curative resection still alive at 5 years. Using univariate analysis, curative resection, tumor stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, total bilirubin concentration, lymph node status, liver invasion, tumor morphology, tumor grade, and site of tumor origin were significant determinants of prognosis. Using the Cox proportional hazards model for multivariate analysis, curative resection, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, total bilirubin concentration, and tumor grade were the only variables predictive of patient outcome. A curative resection of a proximal cholangiocarcinoma had a similar chance of providing long-term survival as a curative distal ductal resection., Conclusions: Although the tumor extent and the patient's overall health will affect outcome, curative resection for cholangiocarcinoma at all sites should be undertaken since this treatment offers the best chance for long-term survival.

A two-day cathartic/enema preparation with oral administration of erythromycin and neomycin was compared with an orthograde lavage preparation with oral administration of metronidazole and neomycin in a prospective randomized trial in 300 and 293 eligible patients, respectively, who were undergoing elective colon and rectal surgery. Patients were assessed for infections at six weeks after discharge from the hospital. The major infection rate was less than 1% and the minor infection rate was less than 4%. The overall infection rate was 4.2%. The type of bowel preparation used, the type of operation, and the addition of systemic antibiotic therapy did not affect infection rates significantly. We conclude that this one-day lavage technique, as described, is a safe, effective, economical, and preferred method of colonic preparation for elective colon and rectal surgery.

A preliminary report from our institution suggested that closure of abdominal incisions with subcutaneous, closed-suction catheters intermittently irrigated with antibiotic resulted in decreased wound infection rates. To test this hypothesis, a prospective, randomized, controlled trial was undertaken to compare the results of primary closure, subcutaneous catheter irrigated with saline or antibiotic, and subcutaneous catheter alone. During the two-year trial, 3,282 incisions (type II, III, or IV) were analyzed. Subcutaneous catheter placement alone or with antibiotic or saline irrigation was not superior to primary closure for type II or III incisions. A trend favoring subcutaneous catheter and antibiotic irrigation was observed for type IV incisions. This finding suggests that further clinical trials designed to assess the role of subcutaneous catheter placement and antibiotic irrigation in decreasing wound infection rates are warranted in type IV incisions.

Acute cholecystitis after operation or trauma is associated with reported mortalities of 10% to 50%. During a 16-year period at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, 75 such patients were examined, eight of whom had traumatic injuries. The incidence of this complication was approximately one for every 10,000 surgical procedures. In contrast with acute cholecystitis that occurs de novo, elderly men who had other antecedent complications seemed to be at an increased risk. Also, acalculous cholecystitis with associated gangrene and perforation of the gallbladder was more commonly encountered. The diagnosis is difficult to establish in patients who have had recent abdominal operations and is based on physical signs and symptoms, although cholescintigraphy will be of value in future cases. The most common treatment is cholecystectomy. Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion and carefully examine any surgical patient in whom abdominal pain or unexplained fever develops. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, early operative intervention is indicated.

One hundred patients who underwent elective cholecystectomy were studied prospectively to define the accuracy of an intraoperative Gram's stain procedure in discovering the presence of bactibilia, the apparent necessity for prophylactic use of antibiotics, and the resulting septic complication rate. Antibiotics were used for prophylaxis in 48 patients and were withheld from 52. Intraoperative Gram's stain procedure and culture were used in all cases. Bactibilia was present in 23% of the group and was accurately predicted by Gram's stain in 87% of all. The only septic complication was a stitch abscess in one patient in the group that received antibiotics. The presence of bactibilia does not seem to be associated with an increased incidence of infectious complications in elective cholecystectomy for chronic cholecystitis. Routine use of Gram's stain should detect the presence of Gram-positive rods (Clostridium), thus allowing early initiation of appropriate treatment.