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Background Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) are being found increasingly in imaging studies. Even though the characteristics of PCN lesions have been studied extensively in single and multicentre settings, nationwide data is lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the nationwide epidemiologic characteristics and long-term survival of all resected PCNs. Methods For this retrospective cohort analysis, all PCNs operated on in Finland during the period 2000–2008 were identified. Data was collected from all patients: on demographics, comorbidities, symptoms, radiological findings, surgical procedures, complications, histopathological diagnoses and survival. Incomplete pathology reports and any uncertain diagnoses were re-assessed. Survival data was collected after a five-year follow-up period. Results The final database included 225 patients with operated PCN. After reviewing the incomplete pathology reports, in 44 cases the original diagnosis was changed, mostly from MCN to IPMN. The most common histopathological diagnoses were IPMN (94/225; 50/225 MD-IPMN, 30/225 MX-IPMN and 14/225 BD-IPMN), SCN (41/225) and MCN (40/225). Overall, 53/225 (23.6%) of the tumours were malignant. Malignancy was detected in MD-IPMN 29/50 (58%), MX-IPMN 10/30 (33.3%), MCN 12/40 (30%), BD-IPMN 2/14 (14.3%) patients. Median 5-year survival for all patients was 77%: 87% in patients without malignancy, 77% with HGD and 27% in patients with a malignant resected PCN. Conclusion One fourth of the PCNs operated on nationwide were malignant, with a five-year survival of 27%, compared to overall survival of 87% in patients with non-malignant disease and 77% in those with HGD. Detecting – and operating on - a PCN before the malignant transfer remains a great challenge.

Introduction The European evidence-based guidelines on PCN recommend surveillance for IPMN patients who are fit for surgery but who have no indication for immediate surgery. Our aim was to demonstrate the feasibility of the new guidelines in clinical practice. Methods This is a prospective cohort study of patients included in the IPMN register in Tampere University Hospital, Finland. IPMN was diagnosed from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2018. Patients were analyzed for surveillance and indications for surgery according to the European guidelines on PCN. Results Out of 128 patients in register 23 was decided to operate upfront and 105 patients were included in the surveillance programme. Invasive carcinoma was found in 4/23 of operated patients. Median follow-up time was 26 months (6–69). Median size of the cyst at the beginning and end of the surveillance was 16 mm (4–58 mm). During surveillance 0/105 (0.0%) patients had or developed an absolute indication for surgery. Relative indication for surgery was present in 8/105 (7.6%) patients in the beginning surveillance and 9/105 (8.6%) patients developed at least one relative indication for surgery during surveillance. From the surveillance cohort 2/105 patients were operated. Surveillance was abandoned in 15/105 (14.1%) patients all due to poor general condition or other medical conditions. Conclusions In clinical practice, surveillance of IPMN according to the European guidelines on PCN is feasible. Among our patients 16% were detected to have relative indications for surgery during the median 26 (range 3–135) months of surveillance. Nearly 15% became surgically unfit during surveillance period.

Background and objective: High-risk surgery on aged patients raises challenging ethical and clinical issues. The aim of this study was to analyze the preoperative factors associated with severe complications and returning home after pancreatic resection among patients aged ⩾ 75 years. Patients and methods: Patients aged ⩾ 75 years undergoing pancreatic resection in 2012–2019 were retrospectively searched from the hospital database. Preoperative indices (Clinical Frailty Scale, Skeletal Muscle Index, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and National Surgical Quality Improvement Program risk for severe complications) were determined. Postoperative outcome was evaluated by incidence of Clavien–Dindo 3b-5 complications, rate of returning home, and 1-year survival. Results: A total of 95 patients were included. American Society of Anesthesiologists Class 3–4 covered 50%, Clinical Frailty Scale > 3 22%, Charlson Comorbidity Index > 6 53%, and a sarcopenic Skeletal Muscle Index 51% of these patients. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program risk for severe complications was higher than average among 21% of patients. Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index showed high risk among 3% of them. In total, 19 patients (20%) experienced a severe (Clavien–Dindo 3b-5) complication. However, 30- and 90-day mortality was 2.1%. Preoperative indices were not associated with severe complications. Most patients (79%) had returned home within 8 weeks of surgery. Not returning home was associated with severe complications ( p = 0.010). Conclusions: The short-term outcome after pancreatic resection of fit older patients is similar to that of younger, unselected patient groups. In these selected patients, the commonly used preoperative indexes were not associated with severe complications or returning home.

The treatment of post-cholecystectomy bile leak is endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) with plastic stent (PS) insertion combined with external drainage. Self-expanding biodegradable biliary stents (BDBS) have only recently become available.The aim was to compare success rate, adverse events and costs of BDBS with PS in the treatment of post-cholecystectomy cystic duct leak Materials and methods: Patients recruited prospectively for treatment with BDBS during the period 2014-2017 were compared to a control group treated with PS in a non-randomized setting.Altogether 32 patients (median age 68, range 33-88, 59% male) were treated for Strasberg A bile leak over a period of 3.5 years, accounting for 1.8% of all ERCs. Eight patients were treated with BDBS and 24 with PS. Treatment with BDBS was safe; rate of readmissions and 30-day adverse events were 13% in both groups. There was no statistical difference in the clinical success rate. All cases with laparoscopic lavation or re-ERC with stent exchange occurred in the PS group. Total drain output was lower in BDBS patients (330ml vs 83ml, p=.002). All PS patients required another endoscopy for stent removal, whereas all BDBS patients were spared repeated endoscopy.Treatment of cystic duct leak with BDBS is highly successful and as safe as traditional treatment with PS. The most obvious benefit of BDBS is that it avoids stent removal. The lower drain output after ERC with a trend for fewer unplanned interventions may indicate more efficient leak resolution with the large bore BDBS.

Background Pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) are rare mucin-producing cystic tumours defined by the presence of ovarian-type stroma. MCNs have a malignant potential and thus surgery is frequently performed. The aim of this cohort study was to define better the criteria for surgical resection in patients with MCN. Methods This multicentre retrospective study included all resected MCNs between 2003 and 2015 in participating centres. Lesions without ovarian-type stroma were excluded. Patient characteristics, preoperative findings, histopathology findings and follow-up data were recorded. Results The study included 211 patients; their median age was 53 (range 18–82) years, and 202 (95·7 per cent) were women. Median preoperative tumour size was 55 (range 12–230) mm. Thirty-four of the 211 (16·1 per cent) were malignant, and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) was found in a further 13 (6·2 per cent). One-third of MCNs in men were associated with invasive cancer, compared with 15·3 per cent in women. Five cases of malignant transformation occurred in MCNs smaller than 4 cm. All cases of malignancy or HGD were associated with symptoms or features of concern on preoperative cross-sectional imaging. In multivariable analysis, raised carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (odds ratio (OR) 10·54, 95 per cent c.i. 2·85 to 218·23; P < 0·001), tumour size (OR 4·23, 3·02 to 11·03; P = 0·001), mural nodules (OR 3·55, 1·31 to 20·55; P = 0·002) and weight loss (OR 3·40, 2·34 to 12·34; P = 0·034) were independent factors predictive of malignant transformation. Conclusions Small indeterminate MCNs with no symptoms or features of concern may safely be observed as they have a low risk of malignant transformation.

Background: Malignant potential of small (

Background Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is the most common complication after distal pancreatectomy (DP). In a recent RCT on pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), perioperative hydrocortisone (HC) treatment reduced Clavien-Dindo (C-D) III-V complications. The aim of this study was to investigate whether perioperative HC treatment reduces the overall complications and clinically significant POPF after distal pancreatectomy (DP). Methods Fourty consecutive patients undergoing DP were randomized to receive intravenous HC 100mg/placebo every eight hours until the second postoperative day. Thirty-one patients were completed with DP and received HC/placebo every 8 h for two days postoperatively. The primary endpoint was overall complications (C-D III-V) and the secondary endpoint was the development of clinically significant POPF. Results Pancreatic duct diameter, operative time and blood loss were similar in the groups. Ninety-day mortality was zero. With HC treatment the rates of C-D III-V complications tended to be lower compared to the placebo group (5.9% vs 21.4%, p = 0.034). The rate of grade B/C POPF was significantly reduced with HC treatment compared to the placebo group (5.9% vs. 42.9%, p = 0.028). Conclusion Perioperative HC treatment may have a favourable effect on overall major complications after open DP. HC treatment reduces the incidence of clinically significant POPF after open DP.

Background: Centralization of pancreatic surgery has proceeded in the last few years in many countries. However, information on the effect of hospital volume specifically on distal pancreatic resections (DP) is lacking. Aim: To investigate the effect of hospital volume on postoperative complications in DP patients in Finland. Methods: All DP performed in Finland during the period 2012-2014 were analyzed, information having been retrieved from the appropriate national registers. Hospital volumes, postoperative pancreatic fistulae (POPF) and overall complications were graded. High volume centre (HVC) was defined as performing > 10 DPs, median volume centre (MVC) 4-9 DPs and low volume centre (LVC) fewer than 4 DP annually. Results: A total of 194 DPs were performed at 18 different hospitals. Of these 42% (81) were performed in HVCs (2 hospitals), 43% (84) in MVCs (6 hospitals) and the remaining 15% (29) in LVCs (10 hospitals). Patient demographics did not differ between the hospital volume groups. The overall rate of clinically relevant POPF, Clavien-Dindo grade 3-5 complications, and 90-day mortality showed no significant differences between the different hospital volumes. Grade C POPF was found more often in LVCs, being 1.2% in HVCs, 0% in MCVs and 6.9% in LVCs, p = 0.030. More reoperations were performed in LVCs (10.3%) than in HVCs (1.2%) or MVCs (1.2%); p = 0.025. Conclusions: Even though the rate of postoperative complications after DP is not affected by hospital volume, reoperations were performed ten times more often in the low-volume centres. Optimal management of postoperative complications may favour centralization not only of PD, but also of DP. (C) 2018 IAP and EPC. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a frequent procedure in elderly patients.We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of acute ERCP in older patients.A prospectively managed, hospital-based registry containing all ERCP procedures and complications at a tertiary referral center was used to form the study population, which consisted of consecutive elderly (≥65 years) patients undergoing acute ERCP during the 5-year study period. Indications, details, outcome, and complications of the procedure were analyzed in relation to patient age, gender, and co-morbidities.A total of 480 elderly patients (median age 78; range 65-97; 48 % men) underwent 531 ERCPs during the study period. The most common indications were bile duct stones (56.1 %) and biliary obstruction caused by malignancy (33.7 %). Successful stone extraction was achieved in 72.8 %, and with an additional, planned ERCP in 96.6 % of the patients. Post-ERCP complications developed in 3.4 % of the patients. These included pancreatitis in 1.7 %, hemorrhage in 0.6 %, and duodenal perforation in 0.2 % of the patients. One of these (0.2 %) was considered severe as this patient required invasive treatments and prolonged hospital stay. The risk of complications was associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and difficult cannulation. Procedure-related mortality was zero, but overall 30-day mortality was 10 %, being 24 % in the patients with malignancy.ERCP can be safely and efficaciously performed on elderly patients. The high mortality should be taken into consideration when selecting therapeutic options.

Item does not contain fulltext BACKGROUND: The current management of pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN) is defined by the consensus European, International Association of Pancreatology and American College of Gastroenterology guidelines. However, the criterion for surgical resection remains uncertain and differs between these guidelines. Therefore through this systematic review of the existing literature we aimed to better define the natural history and prognosis of these lesions, in order to clarify recommendations for future management. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library) for studies published in the English language between 1970 and 2015. RESULTS: MCNs occur almost exclusively in women (female:male 20:1) and are mainly located in the pancreatic body or tail (93-95%). They are usually found incidentally at the age of 40-60 years. Cross-sectional imaging and endoscopic ultrasound are the most frequently used diagnostic tools, but often it is impossible to differentiate MCNs from branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMN) or oligocystic serous adenomas pre-operatively. In resected MCNs, 0-34% are malignant, but in those less than 4 cm only 0.03% were associated with invasive adenocarcinoma. No surgically resected benign MCNs were associated with a synchronous lesion or recurrence; therefore further follow-up is not required after resection. Five-year survival after surgical resection of a malignant MCN is approximately 60%. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to other pancreatic tumors, MCNs have a low aggressive behavior, with exceptionally low rates of malignant transformation when less than 4 cm in size, are asymptomatic and lack worrisome features on pre-operative imaging. This differs significantly from the natural history of small BD-IPMNs, supporting the need to differentiate mucinous cyst subtypes pre-operatively, where possible. The findings support the recommendations from the recent European Consensus Guidelines, for the more conservative management of MCNs.

Background. After pancreaticoduodenectomy, the Finnish binding pancreaticojejunal anastomosis (FBPJ) seems to reduce the risk for pancreatic fistula (POPF). Our aim was to investigate whether FBPJ is feasible and prevents the risk for POPF even after left pancreatectomy (LP).Patients and Methods. 47 consecutive patients underwent LP. 27 patients were recruited on the basis of CT and, of these, 16 patients were randomized on the basis of findings during surgery (transection line must be left of portal vein, as 2-3 cm pancreatic mobilization is required for FBPJ) to receive either Roux-Y FBPJ or hand-sewn closure of the pancreatic remnant.Results. Only 34% (16/47) of the patients met the randomization criteria. Clinically significant POPF rate was higher in FBPJ group (60%) compared to thand-sewn closure group (13%;P<0.05). POPF rate in FBPJ group was higher even when compared to all patients with hand-sewn closure (60% versus 37%;P<0.05). Overall, FBPJ was technically feasible for only 28% of patients.Conclusion. FBPJ cannot be recommended for the routine closure of the pancreatic remnant after LP, as it was not technically achievable in 72% of the cases. Moreover, the technique does not seem to reduce the risk for POPF compared to the hand-sewn closure.

s / Pancreatology 15 (2015) S1eS141 S113 Results: The overall recurrence rate was 15.7%. In 12.5% it was represented by progression of IPMN in the pancreas remnant, 2.2% liver metastasis, 0.4% peritoneal carcinomatosis, 0.3% local recurrence and 0.2% new onset pancreas cancer. The overall risk of progression at 1, 5 and 10 yrs was 7%, 14% and 21% respectively. The risk of progression in mixed-type IPMN was higher (5%, 24.3% and 37.6%) compared to main duct type (4.3%, 18.2% and25.7%) andbranchduct type (6%,15% and 28.7%) (p1⁄40.01). Patientswith pancreatico-biliary type showed a risk of recurrence (7.2%, 50.2% and 62.2%) higher than gastric (2.4%,17.1% and 18.7%), intestinal (2.6%,11,4% and 18.6%) and oncocytic (5.8%, 15.3% and 15.3%) (p

s / Pancreatology 14 (2014) S1eS129 S38 Aims: To report our experience in implementing the centralisation and discuss changes observed in terms of team’s building, practice and results Patients & methods: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data. Data was reviewed and compared before centralisation and over seven years after that main outcomes are peri-operative mortality and morbidity. Secondary outcomes are MDT activities, number of procedures, IT/HDU stay and total hospital stay and the development of new surgical techniques Results: Our covered population has increased from 700.000 before centralization to 3.7 millions after, with subsequent increase in the number of patients discussed in MDT and patients undergoing surgery. Despite the increase in numbers, mortality and morbidity rates were well below international standardwith a significant reduction in ITU/HDUandoverall hospital stay. Conclusion: Centralisation improved outcomes and increased number of patients offered surgery and neoadjuvant treatment for borderline resectable tumours. Financewas a key element in the process and should be given priority in planning.