Use of omentum or falciform ligament does not decrease complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy: nationwide survey of the Japanese Society of Pancreatic Surgery. Surgery. 2012;151:183-191. [PMID: 21982073 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2011.07.023]

"Wrapping the gastroduodenal artery stump" during pancreatoduodenectomy reduced the stump hemorrhage incidence after operation

OBJECTIVE

After pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), the postoperative gastroduodenal artery stump (GDAS) hemorrhage is one of the most serious complications. The purpose of this study is to determine whether wrapping the GDAS during PD could decrease the postoperative GDAS hemorrhage incidence.

METHODS

A retrospective review involving 280 patients who underwent PD from 2005 to 2012 was performed. Wrapping the GDAS during PD was defined as "Wrapping the GDAS using the teres hepatis ligamentum during PD". A total of 140 patients accepted the "wrapping" procedure (wrapping group). The other 140 patients didn't apply the procedure (non-wrapping group). Age, sex, preoperative data, estimated intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, pathologic parameters and hospitalization time were compared between two groups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between two groups. After wrapping, the incidence of postoperative GDAS bleeding decreased significantly (1/140 vs. 9/140, P=0.01). The rates of the other complications (such as intra-abdominal infection pancreatic fistula, billiary fistula, gastrointestinal bleeding, et al.) showed no significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Wrapping the GDAS during PD significantly reduced the postoperative GDAS hemorrhage incidence. And the "wrapping" had no obvious influence on other complications.

Novel diagnostics for aggravating pancreatic fistulas at the acute phase after pancreatectomy

AIM: To identify sensitive predictors of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) at the acute phase after pancreatectomy.

METHODS: This study included 153 patients diagnosed as having POPFs at postoperative day (POD) 3 after either open pancreatoduodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy between January 2008 and March 2013. The POPFs were categorized into three grades based on the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula Definition, and POPFs of grades B or C were considered to be clinically relevant. The predictive performance for the clinically relevant POPF formation of values at PODs 1, 3 and 5 as well as time-dependent changes in levels of inflammatory markers, including white blood cell count, neutrophil count, total lymphocyte count, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin level, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and amylase content in the drain fluid were compared using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and multivariable analyses. A scoring system for the prediction of clinically relevant POPFs was created using five risk factors identified in this study, and its diagnostic performance was also evaluated.

RESULTS: Over time, 77 (50%) of 153 enrolled patients followed a protracted course and were categorized as having clinically relevant POPFs. ROC curve analyses revealed that changes in CRP levels from POD 1 to POD 3 had the greatest area under the curve value (0.767) and that an elevated CRP level of 28.4 mg/L yielded the most optimal predictive value for clinically relevant POPFs. Multivariable analyses for the risk factors of clinically relevant POPFs identified invasive carcinomas of the pancreas and elevation of the CRP level (≥ 28.4 mg/L, from POD 1 to POD 3) as independent diagnostic factors for clinically relevant POPFs (OR 2.94, 95%CI: 1.08-8.55, P = 0.035 and OR 4.82, 95%CI: 1.25-20.2, P = 0.022, respectively). A gradual increase in the prevalence of clinically relevant POPFs in proportion to the risk classification score was confirmed. A highly elevated CRP level and a risk score ≥ 8 were significantly associated with a prolonged duration of drain placement and postoperative hospitalization.

CONCLUSION: A steep rise in the serum CRP level from POD 1 to POD 3 was a highly predictive factor for subsequent clinically relevant POPFs.

Estimated pancreatic parenchymal remnant volume accurately predicts clinically relevant pancreatic fistula after pancreatoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) leads to prolonged hospitalization and potentially fatal complications. We sought to determine whether estimated pancreatic parenchymal remnant volume (EPPRV) on preoperative computed tomography (CT) predicts clinically relevant POPF.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 246 patients who underwent PD between 2008 and 2013. Pancreatic thickness, pancreatic width, and main pancreatic duct (MPD) diameter at the estimated transection line in addition to estimated whole pancreatic remnant volume (EWPRV) were measured on preoperative CT images. MPD volume was subtracted from EWPRV to determine EPPRV. The predictive ability of preoperative CT parameters for POPF was evaluated.

RESULTS

EPPRV was an independent predictor of POPF and had a stronger association with POPF than EWPRV. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that EPPRV had the greatest area under the curve (0.885) for predicting POPF. EPPRV ≥25.5 cm(3) was the best cutoff value for predicting POPF, with a high negative predictive value (0.934) and low likelihood ratio of a negative result (0.235). Multivariate analysis including the preoperative CT parameters and well-known risk factors for POPF showed that EPPRV ≥25.5 cm(3) had the greatest odds ratio for POPF. EPPRV was correlated with pancreatic juice volume. Patients with EPPRV ≥25.5 cm(3) had a greater drainage fluid amylase concentration and greater duration of drainage tube placement than those with EPPRV <25.5 cm(3).

CONCLUSION

EPPRV from preoperative CT was highly predictive of POPF and may help in development of management for POPF after PD.

Usefulness of drain amylase, serum C-reactive protein levels and body temperature to predict postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a worrisome and life-threatening complication. Recently, early drain removal has been recommended as a means of preventing POPF. The present study sought to determine how to distinguish clinical POPF from non-clinical POPF in the early postoperative period after PD to aid in early drain removal.

METHODS

From March 2002 through December 2010, 176 patients underwent PD and were enrolled in this study to examine factors predictive of clinical POPF after PD. POPF was defined and classified according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery guideline, and grade B/C POPF was defined as clinical POPF.

RESULTS

Grade A POPF occurred in 39 (22.2 %) patients, grade B in 19 (10.8 %) patients, and grade C in 11 (6.3 %) patients. Clinical POPF (grade B/C) occurred in 17.1 % of patients. Multivariate analysis revealed male gender and body mass index (BMI) ≥22.5 kg/m(2) to be the independent preoperative risk factors predictive of POPF. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the combination of drain amylase ≥750 IU/L, C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥20 mg/dL, and body temperature ≥37.5 °C on postoperative day 3 could effectively distinguish clinical POPF from non-clinical POPF. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 84.6, 98.2, and 95.7 %, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Male gender and BMI ≥22.5 were the independent preoperative predictive risk factors for POPF. We assume that when amylase is <750 IU/L, serum CRP is <20 mg/dL, and body temperature is <37.5 °C the drain can safely be removed, even if POPF is indicated.

Schematic pancreatic configuration: a risk assessment for postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy

INTRODUCTION

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains a serious complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Preoperative risk assessment of POPF is desirable in careful preparation for operation. The aim of this study was to assess simple and accurate risk factors for clinically relevant POPF based on a schematic understanding of the pancreatic configuration using preoperative multidetector computed tomography.

METHODS

Three hundred and eighteen consecutive patients who underwent PD in the National Cancer Center Hospital East between November 2006 and March 2013 were investigated. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative clinicopathological findings as well as pancreatic configuration data were analyzed for the risk of clinically relevant POPF. POPF was defined according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula classification. POPF grade A occurred in 52 patients (16.4%), grade B in 84 (26.4%), and grade C in 6 (1.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Independent risk factors for POPF grade B/C included main pancreatic duct diameter (MPDd) < 2 mm (P = 0.001), parenchymal thickness ≥ 8 mm (P = 0.018), not performing portal vein/superior mesenteric vein resection (P = 0.004), and amylase level of drainage fluid on postoperative day 3 ≥ 375 IU/L (P < 0.001). Pancreatic configuration data including MPDd and parenchymal thickness were good indicators of clinically relevant POPF.

Pancreaticodigestive anastomosis and the postoperative management strategies to prevent postoperative pancreatic fistula formation after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Over the past 100 years, advances in surgical techniques and perioperative management have reduced the morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Many techniques have been proposed for the reconstruction of the pancreaticodigestive anastomosis to prevent the development of a postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), but which is the best approach is still highly debated. We carried out a systematic review to determine and compare the effectiveness of various methods of anastomosis after PD. A meta-analysis and most randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed that the mortality, POPF rate and incidence of other postoperative complications were not statistically different between the pancreaticogastrostomy and pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) groups. One RCT showed that a binding PJ significantly decreased the risk of POPF and other postoperative complications compared with conventional PJ. External duct stenting reduced the risk of clinically relevant POPF in a meta-analysis and RCTs. The prophylactic use of octreotide after PD does not result in a reduced incidence of POPF. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the successful management of pancreatic anastomoses may depend more on the meticulous surgical technique, surgical volume, and other management parameters than on the type of technique used. However, some new approaches, such as binding PJ, and the use of external stents should be considered in further RCTs.

How fibrosis influences imaging and surgical decisions in pancreatic cancer

Our understanding of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is shifting away from a disease of malignant ductal cells-only, toward a complex system where tumor evolution is a result of interaction of cancer cells with their microenvironment. This change has led to intensification of research focusing on the fibrotic stroma of PDAC. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are the main fibroblastic cells of the pancreas which are responsible for producing the desmoplasia in chronic pancreatitis (CP) and PDAC. Clinically, the effect of desmoplasia is two-sided; on the negative side it is a hurdle in the diagnosis of PDAC because the fibrosis in cancer resembles that of CP. It is also believed that PSCs and pancreatic fibrosis are partially responsible for the therapy resistance in pancreatic cancer. On the positive side, a fibrotic pancreas is safer to operate on compared to a fatty and soft pancreas which is prone for postoperative pancreatic fistula. In this review the impact of pancreatic fibrosis on diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and surgical decisions are discussed from a clinical point of view.

Pancreatic surgery for adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pancreatic resection remains among the most formidable and complex of abdominal surgical operations. Nonetheless, recent observations have continued to provide incremental improvement in both our evidence for treatment regimens and the technology, resulting in better outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Neoadjuvant regimens appear to have promise, at least in local control and perhaps in long-term survival. More extensive operations focusing on perineural invasion along with minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic techniques are attracting increasing attention. The effectiveness of major vascular resection remains controversial. Concentration of patients in centers of expertise has contributed to improved outcomes.

SUMMARY

Improved management of pancreatic resections for cancer with more extensive and less-invasive surgical techniques has increased the number of patients who are candidates for effective surgical treatment.