Search

BACKGROUND: Surgical and adjuvant management of mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) lacks formal guidelines and data is limited to institutional studies. Factors associated with receipt of adjuvant therapy and any associated impact on survival remain to be clarified. In the absence of other data, guidelines that recommend adjuvant chemotherapy for invasive pancreatic adenocarcinoma have been extrapolated to MCN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The National Cancer Database (2004-2019) was utilized to identify all patients that underwent pancreatic resection for invasive MCNs. Patients that received neoadjuvant therapy or did not undergo lymphadenectomy were excluded. Patient, tumor, and treatment factors associated with survival were assessed. RESULTS: For 161 patients with invasive MCN, median overall survival (OS) was 133 months and 45% of patients received adjuvant therapy. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that poorly differentiated tumors [odds ratio (OR) 4.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.47-11.98; p = 0.008] and positive lymph node status (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.02-6.98; p = 0.042) were independent predictors of receiving adjuvant therapy. Lymph node positivity [hazard ratio (HR) 2.90, 95% CI 1.47-5.73; p = 0.002], positive margins (HR 5.28, 95% CI 2.28-12.27; p

BACKGROUND: Leukocytosis and thrombocytosis often follow splenectomy in blunt trauma patients, complicating the postoperative identification of infection. While the platelet count to white blood cell ratio provides diagnostic assistance to discern between expected laboratory alterations and infection, diagnoses such as leukemia are often overlooked. CASE PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old Hispanic male presented with abdominal pain, nausea, tachycardia, and focal peritonitis 4 days after being assaulted and struck multiple times in the abdomen. Initial white blood cell count was 38.4 × 109/L, platelet count was 691 × 109/L, and lipase was 55 U/L. Computed tomography abdomen/pelvis demonstrated a hematoma encasing the distal pancreas and abutting the stomach and colon. Emergent laparotomy revealed a nearly transected pancreas and devascularized colon, necessitating a distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy, and colonic resection with primary anastomosis. Postoperatively, he had a persistently elevated leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, segmented neutrophils, eosinophilia, and basophilia (peak at 70, 2293, 64, 1.1, and 1.2 × 109/L, respectively). Despite sepsis workup, including repeat computed tomography, no source was identified. Hematology/oncology was consulted for concern for hematologic etiology, with genetic testing and bone marrow biopsy performed. The diagnosis of breakpoint cluster-Abelson gene-positive chronic myeloid leukemia was made based on genetic tests, including polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, which confirmed the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome. Bone marrow biopsy suggested a chronic phase. The patient was treated with hydroxyurea and transitioned to imatinib. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombocytosis following splenectomy is a common complication and a plate count to white blood cell count ratio   50 × 109/L) and thrombocytosis (> 2000 × 109/L) may suggest something more ominous, including chronic myeloid leukemia , particularly when elevated granulocyte counts are present. Chronic myeloid leukemia workup includes peripheral smear, bone marrow aspiration, and determination of Philadelphia chromosome. Post-splenectomy vaccines are still indicated within 14 days; however, the timing of immunization with cancer treatment must be considered. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are the first-line therapy and benefits of pretreatment with hydroxyurea for cytoreduction remain under investigation. Additionally, tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been associated with gastrointestinal perforation and impaired wound healing, necessitating heightened attention in patients with a new bowel anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: In 2023 alone, its estimated that over 64,000 patients will be diagnosed with PDAC and more than 50,000 patients will die of the disease. Current guidelines recommend neoadjuvant therapy for patients with borderline resectable and locally advanced PDAC, and data is emerging on its role in resectable disease. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may increase the number of patients able to receive complete chemotherapy regimens, increase the rate of microscopically tumor-free resection (R0) margin, and aide in identifying unfavorable tumor biology. To date, this is the largest study to examine surgical outcomes after long-duration neoadjuvant chemotherapy for PDAC. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of single-institution data. RESULTS: The routine use of long-duration therapy in our study (median cycles: FOLFIRINOX = 10; gemcitabine-based = 7) is unique. The majority (85%) of patients received FOLFIRINOX without radiation therapy; the R0 resection rate was 76%. Median OS was 41 months and did not differ significantly among patients with resectable, borderline-resectable, or locally advanced disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that in patients who undergo surgical resection after receipt of long-duration neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX therapy alone, survival outcomes are similar regardless of pretreatment resectability status and that favorable surgical outcomes can be attained.

BACKGROUND: Affecting >20million people in the U.S., including 4 % of all hospitalized patients, substance use disorder (SUD) represents a growing public health crisis. Evaluating a national cohort, we aimed to characterize the association of concurrent SUD with perioperative outcomes and resource utilization following elective abdominal operations. METHODS: All adult hospitalizations entailing elective colectomy, gastrectomy, esophagectomy, hepatectomy, and pancreatectomy were tabulated from the 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample. Patients with concurrent substance use disorder, comprising alcohol, opioid, marijuana, sedative, cocaine, inhalant, hallucinogen, or other psychoactive/stimulant use, were considered the SUD cohort (others: nSUD). Multivariable regression models were constructed to evaluate the independent association between SUD and key outcomes. RESULTS: Of ∼1,088,145 patients, 32,865 (3.0 %) comprised the SUD cohort. On average, SUD patients were younger, more commonly male, of lowest quartile income, and of Black race. SUD patients less frequently underwent colectomy, but more often pancreatectomy, relative to nSUD.Following risk adjustment and with nSUD as reference, SUD demonstrated similar likelihood of in-hospital mortality, but remained associated with increased odds of any perioperative complication (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 1.17, CI 1.09-1.25). Further, SUD was linked with incremental increases in adjusted length of stay (β + 0.90 days, CI +0.68-1.12) and costs (β + $3630, CI +2650-4610), as well as greater likelihood of non-home discharge (AOR 1.54, CI 1.40-1.70). CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent substance use disorder was associated with increased complications, resource utilization, and non-home discharge following major elective abdominal operations. Novel interventions are warranted to address increased risk among this vulnerable population and address significant disparities in postoperative outcomes.

Background and Aim Methods Results Conclusion Early predictors of morbidity after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) can guide tailored postoperative management. Preoperative inflammatory data in patients who underwent PD remained poorly studied in investigating the clinical significance of predicting postpancreatectomy acute pancreatitis (PPAP) and PPAP‐associated postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF).The clinical data of 467 patients receiving PD between January 2020 and December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative inflammatory data were stratified according to PPAP, and independent risk factors were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression and subgroup analyses were conducted to compare risk factors of PPAP‐associated POPF and non‐PPAP‐associated POPF.PPAP occurred in 17.6% of patients. The incidence of other complications increased following PPAP. Among the preoperative inflammatory factors, only interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) increased (P < 0.001), leading to a higher incidence of PPAP and POPF (P < 0.001; P = 0.002). The area under the curve of IL‐6 in predicting PPAP was 0.71 (0.65–0.77; P < 0.001). Abnormal preoperative IL‐6 levels (odds ratio [OR]: 5.01; P < 0.001), soft pancreatic texture (OR: 2.15; P = 0.007), and pathology (OR: 2.03; P = 0.012) were independent risk factors for PPAP. The subgroup analysis showed that increased IL‐6 (OR: 1.01; P = 0.006) and soft pancreatic texture (OR: 2.05; P = 0.033) resulted in a higher risk of PPAP‐associated POPF, while increased IL‐8 (OR: 1.01; P = 0.007), older age (OR: 1.05; P = 0.008), and higher body mass index (OR: 1.12; P = 0.021) correlated with non‐PPAP‐associated POPF.PPAP is common after PD; a high preoperative IL‐6 level can predict its occurrence, in addition to associated POPF, which could be due to a preoperative proinflammatory status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High blood loss is an adverse event related to increased morbidity and poorer outcomes in pancreatic surgery patients. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors and establish a predictive model for high perioperative blood loss (HPBL) in minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP). Methods: We collected data from 353 patients who underwent MIDP at a university affiliated tertiary hospital between January 2016 and October 2023. Perioperative blood loss was calculated based on pre- and postoperative hemoglobin concentrations according to a combination of the formulas provided by Nadler and Gross. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed for the training cohort to identify the clinical factors independently associated with perioperative blood loss (PBL). A predictive nomogram based on these factors was established and validated. Results: Weight, imaging findings, serum albumin concentration, MIDP experience, spleen treatment, and operation time were independent predictors for HPBL. The established model for predicting HPBL showed that the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.799 (95% CI = 0.746–0.853) and 0.852 (95% CI = 0.760–0.943) for the training cohort and validation cohort, respectively. When utilized to predict blood transfusion, the AUC was 0.778 (95% CI = 0.691–0.865) in the training cohort and 0.818 (95% CI = 0.681–0.955) in the validation cohort. Patients with a high predicted risk had significantly higher incidences of postoperative pancreatic fistula, intra-abdominal infection, and longer hospital stays than patients with a low risk. Conclusions: We established and validated a model for predicting HPBL in MIDP patients. This novel model may have future utility when generating surgical strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgorund: Textbook outcome (TO) is a composite measure that reflects the most desirable surgical results as a single indicator. The aim of this study was to assess the achievement of TO at a hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery unit in a Spanish tertiary hospital. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study of all consecutive patients who underwent HPB surgery over a 4-year period. Morbidity according to the Clavien-Dindo classification at 30 days, hospital stay, risk of morbidity and mortality according to the POSSUM, and mortality and readmissions at 90 days were recorded. TO was considered when a patient presented no major complications (≥IIIA), no mortality, no readmission, and no prolonged length of stay (≤75th). Results: 283 patients were included. Morbidity >IIIA was reported in 21.6%, and 5.7% died; the median postoperative stay was 4 days. TO was achieved in 56.2% of patients. Comparing patients who presented TO with those who did not, significant differences were recorded for the type of procedure and the expected risk of morbidity and mortality calculated according to the POSSUM scale. There were significant differences between patients with major resections (TO rates: major hepatectomy (46.3%) and major pancreatectomy (52.5%)) and those with minor resections (TO rates minor hepatectomy (67.7%) and minor pancreatectomy (40.4%)). Conclusions: TO is a useful management tool for assessing postoperative results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: The use of drains in pancreatic surgery remains controversial. The present study investigated postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) without intraperitoneal drain placement. Methods: Data of consecutive patients undergoing MIDP between 2013 and 2023 were prospectively collected. Patients were divided in drain group (DG), including patients with prophylactic abdominal drain placed, and no-drain group (NDG) including those without drain. The groups were compared in terms of postoperative outcomes, using a propensity score-matched analysis. Results: 116 patients were selected. After matching, DG and NDG consisted of 29 patients each. The rates of POPF and abdominal collection were lower in NDG in comparison to DG (3.4% vs. 27.6%, p 0.025 and 3.4% vs. 31.0%, p 0.011, respectively). The length of stay was significantly shorter in the NDG (5 vs. 9 days, p < 0.001). No difference between the groups was found for other outcomes. Conclusion: Drain omission was associated with lower rates of POPF and abdominal collections, as well as shorter hospital stays, not affecting the rate of severe complication, reoperation and readmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intraoperative conversion to open surgery is an adverse event during minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP), associated with poor postoperative outcomes. The aim of this study was to develop a model capable of predicting conversion in patients undergoing MIDP. Methods: A total of 352 patients who underwent MIPD were included in this retrospective analysis and randomly assigned to training and validation cohorts. Potential risk factors related to open conversion were identified through a literature review, and data on these factors in our cohort was collected accordingly. In the training cohort, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to adjust the impact of confounding factors to identify independent risk factors for model building. The constructed model was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristics curve, decision curve analysis (DCA), and calibration curves. Results: Following an extensive literature review, a total of ten preoperative risk factors were identified, including sex, BMI, albumin, smoker, size of lesion, tumor close to major vessels, type of pancreatic resection, surgical approach, MIDP experience, and suspicion of malignancy. Multivariate analysis revealed that sex, tumor close to major vessels, suspicion of malignancy, type of pancreatic resection (subtotal pancreatectomy or left pancreatectomy), and MIDP experience persisted as significant predictors for conversion to open surgery during MIDP. The constructed model offered superior discrimination ability compared to the existing model (area under the curve, training cohort: 0.921 vs. 0.757, P < 0.001; validation cohort: 0.834 vs. 0.716, P = 0.018). The DCA and the calibration curves revealed the clinical usefulness of the nomogram and a good consistency between the predicted and observed values. Conclusion: The evidence-based prediction model developed in this study outperformed the previous model in predicting conversions of MIDP. This model could contribute to decision-making processes surrounding the selection of surgical approaches and facilitate patient counseling on the conversion risk of MIDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although several studies report that the robotic approach is more costly than laparoscopy, the cost-effectiveness of robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP) over laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) is still an issue. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of the RDP and LDP approaches across several Spanish centres. Methods: This study is an observational, multicenter, national prospective study (ROBOCOSTES). For one year from 2022, all consecutive patients undergoing minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy were included, and clinical, QALY, and cost data were prospectively collected. The primary aim was to analyze the cost-effectiveness between RDP and LDP. Results: During the study period, 80 procedures from 14 Spanish centres were analyzed. LDP had a shorter operative time than the RDP approach (192.2 min vs 241.3 min, p = 0.004). RDP showed a lower conversion rate (19.5% vs 2.5%, p = 0.006) and a lower splenectomy rate (60% vs 26.5%, p = 0.004). A statistically significant difference was reported for the Comprehensive Complication Index between the two study groups, favouring the robotic approach (12.7 vs 6.1, p = 0.022). RDP was associated with increased operative costs of 1600 euros (p < 0.031), while overall cost expenses resulted in being 1070.92 Euros higher than the LDP but without a statistically significant difference (p = 0.064). The mean QALYs at 90 days after surgery for RDP (0.9534) were higher than those of LDP (0.8882) (p = 0.030). At a willingness-to-pay threshold of 20,000 and 30,000 euros, there was a 62.64% and 71.30% probability that RDP was more cost-effective than LDP, respectively. Conclusions: The RDP procedure in the Spanish healthcare system appears more cost-effective than the LDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the value of extracellular volume (ECV) fraction and fat fraction (FF) derived from dual- energy CT (DECT) for predicting postpancreatectomy acute pancreatitis (PPAP) after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent DECT and PD between April 2022 and September 2022. PPAP was determined according to the International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) definition. Iodine concentration (IC) and FF of the pancreatic parenchyma were measured on preoperative DECT. The ECV fraction was calculated from iodine map images of the equilibrium phase. The independent predictors for PPAP were assessed by univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Sixty-nine patients were retrospectively enrolled (median age, 60 years; interquartile range, 55–70 years; 47 men). Of these, nine patients (13.0%) developed PPAP. These patients had lower portal venous phase IC, equilibrium phase IC, FF, and ECV fraction, and higher pancreatic parenchymal-to-portal venous phase IC ratio and pancreatic parenchymal-to-equilibrium phase IC ratio, compared with patients without PPAP. After multivariable analysis, ECV fraction was independently associated with PPAP (odd ratio [OR], 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.79, 0.96; p < 0.001), with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.839 (sensitivity 100.0%, specificity 58.3%). Conclusions: A lower ECV fraction is independently associated with the occurrence of PPAP after PD. ECV fraction may serve as a potential predictor for PPAP after PD. Clinical relevance statement: DECT-derived ECV fraction of pancreatic parenchyma is a promising biomarker for surgeons to preoperatively identify patients with higher risk for postpancreatectomy acute pancreatitis after PD and offer selective perioperative management. Key Points: PPAP is a complication of pancreatic surgery, early identification of higher-risk patients allows for risk mitigation. Lower DECT-derived ECV fraction was independently associated with the occurrence of PPAP after PD. DECT aids in preoperative PAPP risk stratification, allowing for appropriate treatment to minimize complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic pathologies causing portomesenteric occlusion complicate extirpative pancreatic resection due to portomesenteric hypertension and collateral venous drainage. Patients with portomesenteric occlusion undergoing pancreatectomy were identified between 2007 and 2020 at Stanford University Hospital. Demographic and clinical data, technique and perioperative factors, and post-operative outcomes were analyzed. Of twenty-seven (27) patients undergoing venous revascularization during pancreatectomy, most (15) were for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Occlusions occurred mostly at the portosplenic confluence (15). Median occlusion length was 4.0 cm [3.1–5.8]. Regarding revascularization strategy, mesocaval shunting was used in 11 patients, in-line venous revascularization with internal jugular conduit in three patients, traditional venous resection and reconstruction in 9 patients, and thrombectomy in two patients. Median cohort operative time and estimated blood loss were 522 min [433–638] and 1000 mL [700–2500], respectively. Median length of stay was 10 days [8–14.5] with overall readmission rate of 37%. Significant complications occurred in 44% of patients despite only one (4%) perioperative mortality. Despite the technical complexity for managing portomesenteric occlusions, early revascularization strategies including mesocaval shunting or in-line venous revascularization are feasible and facilitate a safe pancreatic resection for surgically fit patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe complications following hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery are frequently due to leakage of anastomoses. Local intraoperative and systematic measures can reduce the incidence of leaks and leak-related sequelae. The early identification of leak-related sequelae, such as hemorrhage is pivotal to reduce the mortality risk. Therefore, perioperative risk stratification incorporating surgical and patient risk factors is crucial. The management of anastomotic leaks is complex and an interdisciplinary treatment is therefore recommended. The treatment depends on the institutional expertise, localization, characteristic features of the anastomosis and the onset of insufficiency. This article describes the different concepts of the diagnostics, prevention, consequences and management of anastomotic leakage in hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery in more detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze the outcomes of patients with resectable/borderline resectable PDAC who receive total neoadjuvant therapy vs upfront surgery. Methods and analysis: Patients who were treated at a single institution from 2006 to 2021 were included. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes included disease free survival (DFS), rates of lymph node positivity, and R0 resection. All survival analyses were performed with intention-to-treat. Results: 26 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation (TNT), 28 received neoadjuvant chemotherapy only (NAC), and 168 received upfront surgery. Demographics were comparable across all three groups. Patients who received TNT or NAC had longer OS and DFS compared to the surgery first patients (P < .01). Patients who received TNT had a lymph node positivity rate of 0% at time of surgery compared to 5.3% and 13.3% in the NAC and surgery-first groups, respectively (P < .01). The rate of R0 resection did not differ between groups (P = .17). Conclusion: Patients with resectable/borderline resectable PDAC who receive neoadjuvant therapy have longer OS and RFS relative to those who receive upfront surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the extent to which postoperative complications impact patient health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and survival after pancreatic surgery. Background: Pancreatectomy is frequently associated with severe postoperative morbidity, which can affect patient recovery. Few and conflicting data are available regarding the effect of post-pancreatectomy complications on patient-reported HRQoL. Methods: This is an observational cohort study including consecutive patients enrolled in a prospective clinical trial (NCT04431076) who underwent elective pancreatectomy (2020--2022). Before surgery and on postoperative days 15, 30, 90, and 180, patients completed the PROMIS-29 profile andDuke Activity Status Index questionnaires to assess their HRQoL and functional capacity. Mean differences in HRQoL scores were obtained using multivariable linear regression adjusting for preoperative scores and confounders. Results: Of 528 patients, 370 (70%) experienced morbidity within 90 days, and 154 (29%) had severe complications (Clavien-Dindo grade >2). Delayed gastric emptying had the greatest impact on HRQoL, showing decreased mental health up to POD90 and physical health up to POD180 compared with uncomplicated patients. An inverse relationship between complication severity grade and HRQoL was evident for most domains, with Clavien- Dindo grade 3b to 4 patients showing worse HRQoL and functional capacity scores up to 6 months after surgery. In 235 pancreatic cancer patients, grade 3b and 4 complications were associated with reduced disease-specific survival (median 25 vs 41 mo, P<0.001). Conclusions: In patients undergoing pancreatic resection, postoperative complications significantly impact all domains of patient quality of life with a dose--effect relationship between complication severity and impairment of HRQoL and functional capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Splenic vein occlusion (SpVO) due to a pancreatic tumor may result in the development of collateral circulation and left‐sided portal hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the impact of SpVO on distal pancreatectomy (DP) and provide insights about the management of such cases. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 124 patients who underwent DP from 2014 to 2022. A subgroup analysis was performed on 88 patients who underwent DP for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Results: SpVO was found in 26 (20.8%) patients. The patients with SpVO had significantly larger splenic volumes and lower platelet counts. Compared to the patients with patent splenic veins (SpVs), the patients with SpVO underwent significantly longer operations (p = 0.006), with a higher incidence of postoperative complications (p = 0.002). We classified the collateral routes associated with SpVO into five patterns. The most common pattern was the left gastroepiploic vein type, which was associated with a tumor of the pancreatic body. In patients with PDAC, SpVO was associated with larger tumors, microscopic vascular permeation, and peritoneal recurrence. However, the differences between overall and recurrence‐free survival rates in the patients with SpVO vs those with patent SpVs were not significant. Conclusions: SpVO causes left‐sided portal hypertension, which can be a risk for perioperative complications in DP. Operative planning based on the classification of collateral flow patterns may help prevent intraoperative congestion and perioperative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: More and more patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) received neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) and then underwent radical pancreatectomy. However, the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) for these patients is still controversial. This study is designed to determine the benefits of postoperative AC for patients with PC undergoing NAT and radical resection. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases, covering the period from their inception until 10 September 2023. Our analysis focused on the assessment of overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) through meta-analysis. The fixed-effects model and the random-effects model were used to process the data. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were employed to determine the necessary of administering AC for patients with PC who have undergone NAT and radical resection. We retrieved 3,063 search results, of which 3,048 were excluded because of duplication or after applying our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: A total of 15 studies with 21,113 patients (7,794 patients in the AC group and 13,319 in the non-AC group) were included, all of which reported OS, and three studies reported disease-free survival (DFS)/tumor-specific survival (CSS)/RFS. The final results showed that AC significantly improved OS and DFS/CSS/RFS in patients with PC who underwent pancreatectomy after NAT [OS: HR = 0.80, 95% CI (0.75~0.86), P < 0.00001, I2 = 48%; DFS/CSS/RFS: HR = 0.53, 95% CI (0.41~0.69), P < 0.00001, I2 = 0%]. Furthermore, we performed subgroup analyses and demonstrated that AC provided a significant survival benefit for patients with PC after NAT and resection regardless of the tumor size [<2-cm subgroup: HR = 0.72, 95% CI (0.5~0.94), P = 0.01; =2-cm subgroup: HR = 0.79, 95%CI (0.65~0.96),P=0.02] andthemarginstatus [R0subgroup:HR=0.83, 95%CI (0.77~0.88), P < 0.00001; R2 subgroup: HR = 0.75, 95% CI (0.61~0.92), P = 0.007]. AC also benefited the patients with a stage N0 [HR = 0.79, 95% CI (0.74~0.84), P < 0.00001], N1 [HR = 0.78, 95% CI (0.72~0.85), P < 0.00001], or poorly/undifferentiated tumor [HR = 0.76, 95% CI (0.66~0.87), P < 0.0001] in survival but not in patients with a stage N2 [HR = 0.69, 95% CI (0.43~1.09), P = 0.11] or well/moderately differentiated tumor [HR = 0.97, 95% CI (0.66~1.42), P = 0.87]. Conclusions: Although AC showed survival benefit for patients with PC undergoing radical pancreatectomy after NAT, we still need to consider the lymph node stage and the degree of differentiation of the tumor when we gave AC to a patient. High-quality prospective randomized controlled studies are required to well disclose the value of AC in patients with PC undergoing radical pancreatectomy after NAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 50‐year‐old male with a pancreatic tail tumor underwent distal pancreatectomy. At 14 and 27 months after the primary surgery, metachronous liver metastases were identified and partial hepatectomies were performed for each. Pathologic findings of the primary pancreatic tumor were heterogeneous, but they essentially categorized into two components based on their cytologic features: (i) clear cell component and (ii) epithelioid cell component. The metastatic hepatic tumor was entirely composed of the epithelioid cell component. SMARCB1 expression was lost by immunohistochemistry and heterozygous deletion of SMARCB1 was identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization for both the primary and metastatic tumors. Targeted DNA sequencing of a metastatic hepatic tumor sample was performed and SMARCB1 loss was identified. Based on the morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular analyzes, the present case was difficult to classify into any of the existing entities. SMARCB1 deficiency might play a key role in the tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iatrogenic aneurysms of the splenic artery constitute a rare yet potentially severe complication arising from diverse medical or surgical interventions. The clinical complexity and challenging management strategies associated with these aneurysms pose significant difficulties for clinicians. This circumstance is exemplified in our case report, detailing an iatrogenic aneurysm of the splenic artery that emerged secondary to a pancreatic fistula following a median pancreatectomy performed for a Frantz tumor. The intricate clinical presentation of this case underscores the considerable management challenges posed by such iatrogenic complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The editorial discusses efforts to enhance data quality and harmonization among European population-based cancer registries. Population-based cancer registries play a crucial role in cancer surveillance, aiding in quantifying cancer burden, describing trends, and informing policy decisions. The editorial highlights challenges in data comparability, tools for improving data quality, and the impact of data harmonization on cancer indicators. It also emphasizes the importance of data quality in improving cancer epidemiology insights and addressing inequalities across European countries and regions. [Extracted from the article]

Simple Summary: Distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection (DP-CAR) has equivalent morbidity and survival outcomes compared to standard distal pancreatectomy (DP) in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma requiring modern neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Background: Distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection (DP-CAR) has been used for selected patients with pancreatic cancer infiltrating the celiac axis. We compared the short- and long-term outcomes between DP-CAR and distal pancreatectomy alone (DP) in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy. Methods: Patients undergoing DP-CAR from 2013 to 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathologic features, post-operative morbidity, and survival outcomes were compared with patients undergoing DP after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Results: Twenty-two DP-CAR and thirty-four DP patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy were identified. There were no differences in comorbidities or CA19-9 levels. OR time was longer for DP-CAR (304 vs. 240 min, p = 0.007), but there was no difference in the transfusion rate (22.7% vs. 14.7%). Vascular reconstruction was more common in DP-CAR (18.2% vs. 0% arterial, p = 0.05; 40.9% vs. 12.5% venous, p = 0.04). There was no difference in morbidity or mortality between the two groups. Although there was a trend towards larger tumors in DP-CAR (5.1 cm vs. 3.8 cm, p = 0.057), the overall survival from the initiation of treatment (32 vs. 28 months, p = 0.43) and surgery (30 vs. 24 months, p = 0.43) were similar. Discussion: DP-CAR is associated with similar survival and morbidity compared to DP patients requiring neoadjuvant chemotherapy and should be pursued in appropriately selected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duodenal leaks (DL) contribute to most graft losses following pancreas transplantation. However, there is a paucity of literature comparing graft preservation approach versus upfront graft pancreatectomy in these patients. We reviewed all pancreas transplants performed in our institution between 2000 and 2020 and identified the recipients developing DL to compare based on their management: percutaneous drainage vs. operative graft preservation vs. upfront pancreatectomy. Of the 595 patients undergoing pancreas transplantation, 74 (12.4%) developed a duodenal leak with a median follow up of 108 months. Forty-five (61%) were managed by graft preservation strategies, with the rest being treated with upfront graft pancreatectomy. DL managed by graft preservation strategies had similar graft survival rates at 1 and 5-year compared to the matched cohort of population without DL (95% and 59% vs. 91% and 62%; p = 0.78). Multivariate analysis identified male recipient (OR: OR: 6.18; CI95%: 1.26–41.09; p = 0.04) to have higher odds of undergoing an upfront graft pancreatectomy. In appropriately selected recipients with DL, graft preservation strategies utilizing either interventional radiology guided percutaneous drainage or laparotomy with/without repair of leak can achieve comparable long-term graft survival rates compared to recipients without DL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: This study explores the optimization of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) management in pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients, focusing on the scientific advancements and technological interventions available to improve patient outcomes, including oral pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) and immobilized lipase cartridge (RELiZORB®). This was a prospective Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved study from October 2019 through to August 2021 at the Louisville Medical Center in collaboration with Norton Healthcare and the University of Louisville Division of Surgical Oncology. Patients with a diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Stage 2 or 3) who underwent oncologic surgical resection were included in this study. Methods: Patients were contacted at pre-defined intervals (prior to surgery, before hospital discharge, and 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks after surgery) to complete nutrition evaluation, EPI assessment, and quality of life questionnaires to identify the severity and frequency of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Results: EPI symptoms were reported in 28 of the 35 total patients studied (80%). Jejunostomy tubes were placed during oncologic surgery in 25 of the 35 total patients studied (71%), and 12 of the 25 patients with a jejunostomy tube utilized enzyme cartridges to manage EPI symptoms while on supplemental tube feeding (48%). EPI symptoms were reported in 8 of the 10 patients without a feeding tube (80%), and their EPI symptoms were managed with PERT alone. EPI interventions, both oral PERT and immobilized cartridges, were associated with a decrease in EPI symptoms after surgery and improved quality of life (QOL). Conclusions: Overall, early optimization of EPI is crucial to enhance overall patient care, return to oncology therapy after surgery, and improve quality of life in pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) is a safe and effective procedure; however, its impact on perioperative inflammatory reactions compared with open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) remains unclear. This study aimed to assess short-term outcomes following LDP and ODP regarding inflammatory reactions. Methods: This retrospective study of 77 consecutive patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy for low-grade malignancies between 2005 and 2022 compared white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, serum albumin level, and CRP/albumin ratio (CAR) between LDP and ODP. Complications, especially postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), recovery program, and hospital stay period, were also compared. Results: POPF (17.1% vs. 38.7%, p = 0.039) and surgical morbidity (≥Clavien-Dindo grade III, 12.2% vs. 32.3%, p = 0.038) were significantly lower in LDP than in ODP, as for the difference in postoperative inflammatory response, including CRP and CAR, was just temporary. By multivariate analysis, CAR ≥6.94 on POD 3 was significant predictor of POPF (42.1% vs. 13.2%, odds ratio 4.828, p = 0.030). Conclusion: LDP has lower POPF and earlier postoperative recovery. CAR could be a predictor of POPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a major complication of distal pancreatectomy (DP). Although the visceral fat area (VFA) is a risk factor for POPF in DP, its measurement is complicated. This study aimed to identify a simple marker as a predictive indicator of POPF. Methods: We included 210 patients who underwent resection at our institution between 2020 and 2023. The patients' characteristics, preoperative laboratory data, and radiographic findings (e.g., portal vein distance and VFA) and their association with pancreatic fistula after DP were analyzed. POPF was defined as Grade B or C pancreatic fistula on the basis of the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery 2016 consensus. Results: POPF developed in 82 (39.0%) patients. Univariate analysis showed that female sex, pancreatic thickness of the cutting line, operative time, blood loss, C‐reactive protein (CRP) level on postoperative day (POD) 3, drain amylase level on POD 3, VFA, and the peritoneum to portal vein distance (PPD) were associated with POPF. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of PPD showed a higher area under the curve than VFA (cutoff for PPD: 68 mm). Multivariate analysis showed that CRP (odds ratio [OR]: 2.214), drain amylase (OR: 2.875), and PPD (OR: 15.538) were independent risk factors. When we compared the DP fistula risk score and PPD, receiver operating characteristic analysis showed areas under the curve of 0.650 and 0.803, respectively. Conclusions: A PPD of ≥68 mm is a useful risk predictor of POPF. Determining this distance is simple and easily applicable in the clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although anomalies of the celiac and/or superior mesenteric arteries are occasionally encountered during abdominal surgery, anomalous venous confluence is seldom reported during pancreatic surgery. Herein, we present a rare case of laparoscopic spleen‐preserving distal pancreatectomy (LSPDP) for the treatment of a solid pseudopapillary neoplasm in an asymptomatic 37‐year‐old male with an anomalous splenic vein (SpV) confluence. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed an anomaly of the SpV, which coursed transversely through the superior border of the pancreas, over the celiac artery and into the portal vein, along the superior line of the common hepatic artery. We successfully performed an LSPDP without peripancreatic vessel injury by exposing the SpV and splenic artery through an approach from the superior position of the pancreas. Preoperative imaging, especially CTA, is crucial to ensuring a safe, successful laparoscopic pancreatectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a guideline on endoscopic surgery for qualified surgeons, specifically focusing on the pancreas. It provides a historical overview of laparoscopic pancreatectomy and discusses the insurance coverage for this procedure in Japan. The document also evaluates the use of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) and laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy (LPD) for pancreatic tumors, comparing them to open surgery. The guideline recommends LDP for benign or low-grade lesions and LPD for benign and low-grade tumors in facilities with experience in this surgery. However, further research is needed, particularly for LPD in pancreatic cancer. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The frequency of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy is gradually exceeding that of the open approach. Our study aims to compare short-term outcomes of robotic (RDP) and laparoscopic (LDP) distal pancreatectomies for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) using a national database. Methods: The National Cancer Database was utilized to identify patients with PDAC who underwent distal pancreatectomy from 2010–2020. Short-term technical and oncologic outcomes such as margin status and nodal harvest were included. Propensity-score matching (PSM) was performed comparing LDP and RDP cohorts. Multivariate logistic-regression models were then used to assess the impact of institutional volume on the MIDP surgical and technical oncologic outcomes. Results: 1537 patients underwent MIDP with curative intent. Most cases were laparoscopic (74.4%, n = 1144), with a gradual increase in robotic utilization, from 8.7% in 2010 to 32.0% of MIDP cases ten years later. For PSM, 698 LDP patients were matched with 349 RDP. The odds of conversion to an open case were 58% less in RDP (12.6%) compared to LDP (25.5%) with no statistically significant difference in technical oncologic results. There was no difference in length of stay (OR = 1.0[0.7–1.4]), 30-day mortality (OR = 0.5[0.2–2.0]) or 90-day mortality (OR = 1.1[0.5–2.4]) between RDP and LDP, although there was a higher 30-day readmission rate with RDP (OR = 1.71[1.1–2.7]). There were statistically significant differences in technical oncologic outcomes (nodal harvest, margin status, initiation of adjuvant therapy) based on MIDP volume quartiles. Conclusion: Laparoscopic and robotic distal pancreatectomy have similar peri- and post-operative surgical and oncologic outcomes, with a higher rate of conversion to open in the laparoscopic cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study analyzed the Quality of Life (QoL) and cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic (LDP) versus robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP). Methods: Consecutive patients submitted to LDP or RDP from 2010 to 2020 in four high-volume Italian centers were included, with a minimum of 12 months of postoperative follow-up were included. QoL was evaluated using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D questionnaires, self-reported by patients. After a propensity score matching, which included BMI, gender, operation time, multiorgan and vascular resections, splenic preservation, and pancreatic stump management, the mean differential cost and Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALY) were calculated and plotted on a cost-utility plane. Results: The study population consisted of 564 patients. Among these, 271 (49%) patients were submitted to LDP, while 293 (51%) patients to RDP. After propensity score matching, the study population was composed of 159 patients in each group, with a median follow-up of 59 months. As regards the QoL analysis, global health and emotional functioning domains showed better results in the RDP group (p = 0.037 and p = 0.026, respectively), whereas the other did not differ. As expected, the median crude costs analysis confirmed that RDP was more expensive than LDP (16,041 Euros vs. 10,335 Euros, p < 0.001). However, the robotic approach had a higher probability of being more cost-effective than the laparoscopic procedure when a willingness to pay more than 5697 Euros/QALY was accepted. Conclusion: RDP was associated with better QoL as explored by specific domains. Crude costs were higher for RDP, and the cost-effectiveness threshold was set at 5697 euros/QALY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postoperative pancreatic fistulas lead to substantially increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs after pancreatectomy. Studies have reported conflicting data on the role of prophylactic somatostatin analogs in the reduction of postoperative pancreatic fistula. Current practice patterns, surgeon beliefs, and barriers to using these drugs in the Americas is not known. An online 26-question cross-sectional survey was distributed via email to the members of the Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association in April 2023. One hundred and two surgeons responded in spring 2023. 48.0% of respondents reported using prophylactic SSAs during their surgical training, however, only 29.4% do so in their current practice, most commonly when performing Whipple procedures. Octreotide was the most frequently used SSA (34.3%), followed by octreotide LAR (12.7%) and pasireotide (11.8%). Reasons for not prescribing included a lack of high-quality data (62.7%), perception of limited efficacy (34.3%) and high cost (30.4%). These results highlight key areas for future study including understanding surgeon rationale for patient and drug selection. Variable practice patterns amongst surgeons also underscore the importance of generalizability in the design of future clinical trials in order to maximize impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce a novel notation system for pancreatectomy designed to provide a clear and concise representation of surgical procedures. As surgical techniques and the scope of pancreatic surgeries continue to diversify, existing communication methods among medical professionals regarding the specifics of the surgeries have proven inadequate. Our proposed notation system clearly indicates the approach (open, laparoscopic, or robot‐assisted), type of surgery (e.g., pancreatoduodenectomy, distal pancreatectomy), and extent of resection and accompanying resected organs or vasculature. These elements are all recorded in this order by using abbreviations. For example, a pancreatoduodenectomy with pancreatic transection just above the SMA and combined resection of the SMV would be noted as "OPD(hb')‐SMV". This new notation system allows for concise expression of the essential information on performed procedures of pancreatic resection, leading to smooth information sharing. This initiative is an essential step towards standardizing pancreatic surgery documentation on a global scale. Here, we present the development and application of this system, highlighting its potential to transform surgical communication and documentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It has reported that the prevalence of frailty in patients with pancreatic cancer is 45%. The number of patients with pancreatic cancer is increasing, and within this cohort, patients often suffer from impaired activities of daily living (ADLs). This study aimed to examine the association between perioperative Barthel Index (BI) scores, a validated measure of ADLs, and survival outcomes after pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer. Methods: We analyzed the data of 201 patients who underwent pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer between 2010 and 2020. Preoperative and postoperative ADLs were assessed using the BI (range: 0–100; higher scores indicated greater independence). A preoperative or postoperative BI score ≤ 85 was defined as an impairment of perioperative ADLs. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) after adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Among the 201 patients, 14 (7.0%) had a preoperative BI score ≤ 85 and 50 (25%) had a postoperative BI score ≤ 85. Impairment of perioperative ADLs was independently associated with shorter overall survival (multivariable HR: 2.66, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.75–4.03, P < 0.001), cancer-specific survival (multivariable HR: 2.64, 95%CI: 1.15–4.25, P < 0.001), and recurrence-free survival (multivariable HR: 1.94, 95%CI: 1.08–3.50, P = 0.021). Conclusion: Impairment of perioperative ADLs is associated with poor prognosis following pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer. The maintenance and improvement of perioperative ADLs could play an important role in providing favorable long-term outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been shown to have a lower incidence in patients with blood group O. It is currently uncertain if patients with group O have a better prognosis after pancreatectomy. This study assessed the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of PDAC patients who underwent upfront pancreatoduodenectomy based on ABO blood groups. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed including patients from two university centers. All consecutive head PDAC patients who underwent upfront pancreatoduodenectomy from 2000 to 2016 were included. OS and DFS were compared between blood groups A, B, AB, and O using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests. Results: A total of 438 patients were included (215 women, median age 67). Pre- and intraoperative details were comparable between all subgroups. Median OS did not differ between the four blood groups (A: 23 months, 95% CI 18–28; B: 32, 95% CI 20–44; AB: 37, 95% CI 18–56 and O: 26, 95% CI 20–32, p = 0.192). Median DFS were also similar (A: 19 months, 95% CI 15–23; B: 26, 95% CI 19–33; AB: 35, 95% CI 15–55 and O: 22, 95% CI 15–29, p = 0.441). There was no OS difference between O and non-O groups (median: 26 months, 95% CI 20–33 vs. 25 months, 95% CI 20–30, p = 0.773). On multivariable analysis blood groups were not prognostic of OS. Only lymph node involvement, tumor differentiation, and adjuvant chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: OS and DFS were similar between all four blood groups after pancreatoduodenectomy. Independent predictors of OS were associated with tumor characteristics and adjuvant treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The necessity of routine drain placement in pancreatic resections is controversial. Some randomized controlled trials have shown that the omission of drainage is safe for some patients, whereas reintervention rates and mortality rates are substantial for others. The present study aimed to assess fistula-associated outcomes in the setting of routine drain placement and drain irrigation on demand. Methods: Between 01/2017 and 12/2022, perioperative and outcome data from patients who underwent consecutive pancreatoduodenectomies (PD, n = 253) or distal pancreatectomies (DP, n = 72) were prospectively collected in the electronic StuDoQ database and analysed. All patients underwent intraoperative drain placement. Drains were removed starting at postoperative day 2 in PD or at day 5 in DP after testing for amylase concentration. In case of high amylase levels or macroscopically suspicious pancreatic fistulas, drain irrigation was started. Nondrained fluid collections underwent percutaneous radiologic or transluminal endoscopic evacuation. Results: Clinically relevant pancreatic fistulas were detected in 53 of 325 patients (POPF grade B 16.3%, grade C 1.2%). 43.3% of those had drain irrigation. Additional interventional or endoscopic drainage was necessary in 14 and 5 patients, respectively (overall 5.8%), and were observed in 4.0% of patients with PD and in 12.5% with DP (p = 0.009). Delayed fistula-associated postpancreatectomy haemorrhage (PPH) was present in 1.2% (4/325) of patients. The fistula- and delayed PPH-associated reoperation rate was 1.5% (5/325). The 30-day and in-hospital mortality rates were both 1.5% (5/325), and the rate of fistula-associated mortality was 0.6% (2/325). The overall 90-day mortality rate was 4.5%. Conclusions: In pancreatectomies, a standardized drainage protocol including on-demand drain irrigation results in very low fistula-associated morbidity and mortality and an infrequent need for interventional or surgical reintervention as compared to previously published drainage studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are several reports on the safety and feasibility of pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) without reconstruction of the small remnant pancreas. However, a few studies have explored central pancreatectomy (CP) for non-reconstructed small remnant pancreases after PD. This study presents a case of CP without pancreatic reconstruction after PD. Case presentation: A 58-year-old man with cerebral palsy underwent PD for distal cholangiocarcinoma. Three years postoperatively, a 12-mm tumor was detected in the remnant pancreatic body and diagnosed as a pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm. Surgical resection was performed, because the tumor was enlarged and chemotherapy resistant. The afferent loop with pancreatojejunostomy anastomosis was dissected, and CP, including pancreatojejunostomy anastomosis, was performed. Given the remnant pancreas was hard and atrophic, the pancreatic tail was transected using a stapler without reconstructing the small remnant pancreas. The patient experienced no postoperative complications including postoperative pancreatic fistula, and the endocrine function of the pancreas was preserved. Conclusions: We present a case of remnant pancreatic CP that did not require reconstruction after PD. Preservation of the small remnant pancreas without reconstruction during CP may be feasible to maintain endocrine function in select patients after PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with an unreconstructible superior mesenteric vein (SMV) invasion is one of the criteria of unresectability in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Advances in chemotherapy have improved downstaging and conversion surgery outcomes, thereby broadening surgical options for locally advanced PDAC. However, operations for PDAC with an unreconstructible SMV is less well-documented. If the collateral route is well-developed and can be preserved or reconstructed, SMV resection can be performed without reconstruction. In this paper, we detail our surgical technique and the outcomes for patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy with SMV resection and non-reconstruction (PD-SMVR-NR). Methods: All consecutive patients with pancreatic head cancer who underwent PD at Juntendo University Hospital, Japan, between January 2019 and December 2022 were evaluated from a prospectively maintained preoperative database. Demographic data, clinical history, operative record, morbidity, mortality, and pathologic data were reviewed. Results: Over four years at our Institute, 161 patients with pancreatic head cancer underwent PD, and 86 of these patients underwent PD with portal vein (PV) or SMV resection. There were three patients who underwent PD-SMVR-NR. Each patient had well-developed collateral vessels bypassing the obstructed segment of the SMV. All three patients had no hospital mortality with acceptable complications (Clavien-Dindo grade 2). Two patients achieved R0 resection. Conclusion: By understanding the hemodynamics of venous flow and preserving collateral vessels, especially the superior right colic vein arcade and porto-mesenterico-splenic confluence, pancreatoduodenectomy with superior mesenteric vein resection and non-reconstruction can be performed safely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is becoming a public health issue with a 5-years survival rate around 10%. Patients with PDAC are often sarcopenic, which impacts postoperative outcome. At the same time, overweight population is increasing and adipose tissue promotes tumor related-inflammation. With several studies supporting independently these data, we aimed to assess if they held an impact on survival when combined. Methods: We included 232 patients from two university hospitals (CHU de Lille, Institut Paoli Calmette), from January 2011 to December 2018, who underwent Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for resectable PDAC. Preoperative CT scan was used to measure sarcopenia and visceral fat according to international cut-offs. Neutrophil to lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratios (PLR) were used to measure inflammation. For univariate and multivariate analyses, the Cox proportional-hazard model was used. P-values below 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Sarcopenic patients with visceral obesity were less likely to survive than the others in multivariate analysis (OS, HR 1.65, p= 0.043). Cutaneous obesity did not influence survival. We also observed an influence on survival when we studied sarcopenia with visceral obesity (OS, p= 0.056; PFS, p = 0.014), sarcopenia with cutaneous obesity (PFS, p= 0.005) and sarcopenia with PLR (PFS, p= 0.043). This poor prognosis was also found in sarcopenic obese patients with high PLR (OS, p= 0.05; PFS, p= 0.01). Conclusion: Sarcopenic obesity was associated with poor prognosis after PD for PDAC, especially in patients with systemic inflammation. Pre operative management of these factors should be addressed in pancreatic cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the use of neoadjuvant therapy, specifically peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs). pNETs are a type of tumor that has poorer outcomes compared to other neuroendocrine neoplasms. Neoadjuvant therapy has potential benefits in testing tumor biology, facilitating multimodal therapy, and down-staging tumors for improved resectability. However, there is limited research on neoadjuvant therapy for pNETs, and existing systemic therapies have shown low response rates. A recent study in Italy found that PRRT followed by surgery resulted in a radiological response rate of 59% for localized pNETs, with comparable postoperative outcomes to complex pancreatectomy for cancer. However, accurately identifying the extent of disease using preoperative imaging remains a challenge, and further research is needed to determine long-term oncological outcomes and the effectiveness of preoperative PRRT in reducing recurrence and prolonging survival. [Extracted from the article]

Background: After pancreatic surgery, the development of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a serious concern. POPF involves the leakage of pancreatic fluids from the surgical site, which can lead to complications and even death. Preventing POPF is essential for enhancing patient recovery and lessening the impact on healthcare resources. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated medical methods and surgical techniques to prevent POPF. Methods: This study was registered under the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with the registration number CRD42024500938. An electronic search was conducted through the PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases for all relevant articles published in English from 2018 to 2023. The following search terms were used: ((Whipple procedure OR Pancreaticojejunal OR Pancreaticogastrostomy) AND (Prevention of postoperative pancreatic fistula) AND (Prevention OR Octreotide OR Sealant agent OR Stent OR Postoperative drain)). Results: Of 260 papers, 28 articles extracted through the database search were considered suitable for the systematic review. The included studies investigated a variety of surgical approaches for pancreatic resection. Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) was the most prevalent intervention. The incidence rates for POPF varied widely across the studies, ranging from as low as 11.6% to as high as 100%. The incidence rate of clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF) ranged from 11.7% to 33.3%. The length of postoperative hospital stays also varied significantly. Discussion: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) affects 13–41% of patients post-pancreatic surgery. Despite its high incidence, mortality rates are low. Postoperative hospital stay varies, with higher rates in older patients and overweight individuals. Advancements in surgical techniques and perioperative management have reduced mortality rates to <5%. Conclusions: This study provides insights into the outcomes of pancreatectomy, including the incidence of POPF, postoperative hospital stays, and mortality rate. The findings suggest that the incidence of POPF is similar to that suggested in the literature and is influenced by various factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Postoperative cognitive impairment are common neural complications in older surgical patients and exacerbate the burden of medical care on families and society. Methods A total of 140 older patients who were scheduled for elective orthopaedic surgery or pancreatic surgery with general anaesthesia were randomly assigned to Group S or Group I with a 1:1 allocation. Patients in Group S and Group I received intranasal administration of 400 μL of normal saline or 40 IU/400 μL of insulin, respectively, once daily from 5 minutes before anaesthesia induction until 3 days postoperatively. Perioperative cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B) at 1 day before and 3 days after surgery and postoperative delirium (POD) incidence was assessed using the 3-minute Diagnostic Interview for CAM (3D-CAM) on postoperative days 1–3. Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), S100-β and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured on the first day after surgery. Results Insulin treatment significantly increased postoperative MMSE and MoCA-B scores in group I than in group S (P  < 0.001, P  = 0.001, respectively), decreased the incidence of POD within the 3-day postoperative period in Group I than in Group S (10.9% vs 26.6%, P  = 0.024), and inhibited postoperative IL-6 and S100-β levels in Group I compared to Group S (P  = 0.034, P  = 0.044, respectively). Conclusions Intranasal insulin administration is thus suggested as a potential therapy to improve postoperative cognition in older patients undergoing surgery. However, a more standardized multi-centre, large-sample study is needed to further validate these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental hazards may influence health outcomes and be a driver of health inequalities. We sought to characterize the extent to which social–environmental inequalities were associated with surgical outcomes following a complex operation. In this cross-sectional study, patients who underwent abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, coronary artery bypass grafting, colectomy, pneumonectomy, or pancreatectomy between 2016 and 2021 were identified from Medicare claims data. Patient data were linked with social–environmental data sourced from Centers for Disease Control and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry data based on county of residence. The Environmental Justice Index social–environmental ranking (SER) was used as a measure of environmental injustice. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between SER and surgical outcomes. Among 1,052,040 Medicare beneficiaries, 346,410 (32.9%) individuals lived in counties with low SER, while 357,564 (33.9%) lived in counties with high SER. Patients experiencing greater social–environmental injustice were less likely to achieve textbook outcome (odds ratio 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.94-0.96, P < 0.001) and to be discharged to an intermediate care facility or home with a health agency (odds ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.96-0.98, P < 0.001). Cumulative social and environmental inequalities, as captured by the Environmental Justice Index SER, were associated with postoperative outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing a range of surgical procedures. Policy makers should focus on environmental, as well as socioeconomic injustice to address preventable health disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although robotic pancreatectomy may facilitate an earlier functional recovery, the impact of a robotic pancreatectomy program during its early experience on the timing of return to intended oncologic therapy (RIOT) after surgery is unknown. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we used propensity score matching with a 1:2 ratio to compare patients who underwent robotic or open surgery (distal pancreatectomy or pancreatoduodenectomy) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) during the first 3 years of our robotic pancreatectomy experience (January 2018–December 2021). Generalized estimating equations modeling was used to evaluate the effect of surgical approach on early RIOT, defined as adjuvant chemotherapy initiation within 8 weeks after surgery, and late RIOT, defined as initiation within 12 weeks after surgery. Results: The matched cohort included 26 patients who underwent robotic pancreatectomy and 52 patients who underwent open pancreatectomy. Rates of receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy were 96.2% and 78.9%, respectively. Rate of early RIOT in the robotic group (73.1% was higher than that in the open group (44.2%; P = 0.018). In multivariable analysis, a robotic approach was associated with early RIOT (odds ratio, 3.54; 95% confidence interval 1.08–11.62; P = 0.038). Surgical approach did not impact late RIOT (odds ratio, 3.21; 95% confidence interval 0.71–14.38; P = 0.128). Conclusions: Compared with open pancreatectomy, robotic pancreatectomy did not delay RIOT. In fact, odds of early RIOT were increased, which supports the oncological safety of our robotic pancreatectomy program during its implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary pancreatic hydatid cyst is a rare form of echinococcosis, even in endemic areas. The present study reports the case of a 67-year-old male patient with a primary pancreatic hydatid cyst who presented with severe epigastric pain, vomiting and fever for a period >2 weeks. An endoscopic ultrasound revealed a cystic lesion in the pancreatic head with a solid component. A computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the ultrasound finding. Under general anesthesia, the patient underwent total pancreatectomy and splenectomy. A histopathological examination confirmed a primary pancreatic hydatid cyst. Hydatid cysts rarely occur primarily in the pancreas. They may spread to the pancreas through the hematogenous route. Various procedures can be performed for cyst removal, depending on the size and location of the cysts. Open surgery, laparoscopy and hybrid options are available; however, to date, the gold standard is open surgery to prevent spillage and reduce the chance of recurrence. Although rare, primary pancreatic hydatid cysts can occur, with surgery being the main treatment modality due to the vague preoperative diagnosis based on imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Improving the quality of care is a priority for health systems to obtain better care and reduce costs. One of the tools for measuring quality is benchmarking (BM). We presented a 1- country prospective study of distal pancreatectomies (DPs) and determined BM. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, observational snapshot study of DP carried out at Spanish hepatopancreatobiliary centers for a year (February 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023). Hepatopancreatobiliary centers were defined as high volume if they performed more than 10 DPs per year. Inclusion criteria include any scheduled DP for any diagnosis and age older than 18 years. The low-risk group was defined following the criteria given by Durin and colleagues and major complications as Clavien-Dindo ≥III. RESULTS: A total of 313 patients from 42 centers and 46.6% from high-volume centers were included. Median DP by center was 7 (interquartile range 5 to 10), median age was 65 years (interquartile range 55 to 74), and 53.4% were female. The surgical approach was minimally invasive in 69.3%. Major complications were 21.1%. Postoperative pancreatic fistula grade B/C rate was 20.1%, and 90-day mortality was 1.6%. One hundred forty-three patients were in low-risk group (43.8%). Compared with previous BM data, an increasing MIS rate and fewer hospital stay were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: We present the first determination of DP-BM in a prospective series, obtaining similar results to the previous ones, but our BM values include a shorter hospital stay and a higher percentage of minimally invasive surgery probably related to Enhanced Recovery after Surgery protocols and prospective data collection. BM is a multiparameter valuable tool for reporting outcomes, comparing centers, and identifying the points to improve surgical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) is considered a standard approach it still presents a non-negligible rate of conversion to open that is mainly related to some difficulty factors, as obesity. The aim of this study is to analyze the preoperative factors associated with conversion in obese patients with MIDP. In this multicenter study, all obese patients who underwent MIDP at 18 international expert centers were included. The preoperative factors associated with conversion to open surgery were analyzed. Out of 436 patients, 91 (20.9%) underwent conversion to open, presenting higher blood loss, longer operative time and similar rate of major complications. Twenty (22%) patients received emergent conversion. At univariate analysis, the type of approach, radiological invasion of adjacent organs, preoperative enlarged lymphnodes and ASA ≥ III were significantly associated with conversion to open. At multivariate analysis, robotic approach showed a significantly lower conversion rate (14.6 % vs 27.3%, OR = 2.380, p = 0.001). ASA ≥ III (OR = 2.391, p = 0.002) and preoperative enlarged lymphnodes (OR = 3.836, p = 0.003) were also independently associated with conversion. Conversion rate is significantly lower in patients undergoing robotic approach. Radiological enlarged lymphnodes and ASA ≥ III are also associated with conversion to open. Conversion is associated with poorer perioperative outcomes, especially in case of intraoperative hemorrhage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate survival outcomes of pulmonary resection for isolated metachronous pancreatic cancer metastasis. A systematic search of electronic data sources and reference lists were conducted. Proportion meta-analysis model was constructed to quantify 1- to 5-year survival after pulmonary resection for isolated metachronous pancreatic cancer metastasis. Random-effects modelling was applied to calculate pooled outcome data. Twenty-four retrospective studies were included reporting a total of 168 patients who underwent pulmonary resection for isolated pancreatic cancer metastasis. The nature of the index pancreatic surgery included 65% pancreaticoduodenectomies, 17.5% distal pancreatectomies, 0.5% total pancreatectomy, and 17% unspecified. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given to 88% of the patients. The median disease-free interval was 35 (8–96) months. The type of pulmonary resection included 54% wedge resections, 26% lobectomies, 4% segmentectomies, 1% pneumonectomies, and 15% unspecified. Pulmonary resection was associated with 1-year survival of 91.1% (95% CI 86.6%–95.5%), 2-year survival of 77.5% (95% CI 68.9%–86.0%), 3-year survival of 65.0% (95% CI 50.7%–79.3%), 4-year survival of 52.0% (95% CI 37.2%–66.9%), and 5-year survival of 37.0% (95% CI 25.0%–49.1%). Pulmonary resection for isolated pancreatic cancer metastasis is associated with acceptable overall patient survival. We recommend selective pulmonary resection for isolated pulmonary metastasis from pancreatic cancer. Our findings may encourage conduction of better-quality studies in this context to help establishment of definitive treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distal pancreatectomy (DP) is performed for lesions in the body and tail of the pancreas. The morbidity profile is considerable, mainly due to clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF). This study aims to investigate potential differences in CR-POPF related to transection site. An observational cohort study from a prospectively maintained database was performed. Subtotal distal pancreatectomy (SDP) was defined as transection over the superior mesenteric vein, and DP was defined as transection lateral to this point. Propensity score matching (PSM) in 1:1 fashion was applied based on demographical and perioperative variables. Six hundred and six patients were included in the analysis (1997–2020). Four hundred twenty (69.3%) underwent DP, while 186 (30.7%) underwent SDP. The rate of CR-POPF was 19.3% after DP and 20.4% after SDP (p = 0.74). SDP was associated with older age (63.1 vs 60.1 years, p = 0.016), higher occurrence of ductal adenocarcinoma (37.1 vs 17.6%, p = 0.001) and more frequent use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (3.8 vs 0.7%, p = 0.012). After PSM, 155 patients were left in each group. The difference in CR-POPF between DP and SDP remained statistically non-significant (20.6 vs 18.7%, p = 0.67). This study found no difference in CR-POPF related to transection site during distal pancreatectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advances in chemotherapy have led to increasing major vascular resection during pancreatectomy which has been contraindicated due to high morbidity. This study aimed to verify the safety and oncological outcomes of vascular resection during pancreatectomy in the era of neoadjuvant therapy. Methods: Data from patients who underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer at Seoul National University Hospital between 2001 and 2021 were reviewed. Clinicopathological outcomes were analyzed according vessel resection. A propensity‐score‐matched (PSM) analysis was performed to evaluate survival outcomes. Results: Of 1596 patients, the proportion of those who underwent vascular resection increased from 9.2% to 23.4% over time divided into 5‐year intervals. There were no differences in major complications (15.6% vs. 13.0%; p =.266) and 30‐day mortality rate (0.3% vs. 0.6%; p =.837) between the vascular and nonvascular resection groups. After PSM, the vascular resection group demonstrated comparable survival outcome with the nonvascular resection group (5 year‐survival‐rate 20.4 vs. 23.7%; p =.194). Arterial resection yielded comparable survival outcome with nonvascular resection (5 year‐survival‐rate 38.1% vs. 23.7%; p =.138). Conclusions: Appropriate vascular resection―even arterial―is safe and effective in patients carefully selected for radical surgery in the era of neoadjuvant therapy. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal indication and method for vascular resection in patients with pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid pseudopapillary tumor is a mixed solid and cystic neoplasm of the pancreas which occurs most commonly in females in second or third decade of life with few reported pediatric cases. It has a low malignancy potential with good prognosis after surgical resection. We present a case of an 11-year-old male child with solid pseudopapillary tumor of pancreas who presented with clinical features of acute pancreatitis. He was initially evaluated with ultrasound, followed by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Solid pseudopapillary tumor of pancreas presenting as acute pancreatitis is rarely reported in literature. This case is a unique presentation of a pancreatic tumor and highlights the value of multiphase CT imaging and MRI in the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]