Perioperative application of somatostatin analogs for pancreatic surgery-current status in Germany

"Somatostatin analogues do not reduce the risk of clinically relevant post-operative fistula rates in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery", a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The impact of Somatostatin Analogues (SSA) on Post-Operative Pancreatic Fistula (POPF) risk reduction lacks clarity and reports are conflicting. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the effect of SSA on POPF rates.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed for studies reporting POPF in relation to SSA use following the consensus by the International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula (ISGPF) to re-define what constitutes a clinically significant POPF in 2015. The primary outcome was the incidence of clinically relevant POPF among patients who received SSA peri-operatively.

RESULTS

Twenty studies, including 6947 patients, were eligible for inclusion. Overall, SSA use did not significantly lower the risk of developing a POPF(OR 0.89, 95 % CI 0.66-1.20, P = 0.44, I2 = 73 %). Subgroup analysis was performed to determine whether SSA could reduce POPF in high-risk cohorts (soft pancreas, duct <5 mm). SSA did not significantly reduce POPF in the five studies reporting on high-risk cohorts (OR 1.42, 95 % CI 0.60-3.37, P = 0.43, I2 = 73 %). Furthermore, subgroup analysis of both grade B and grade C POPF's did not show any benefit of SSA.

CONCLUSION

SSA prophylaxis does not reduce the incidence of clinically relevant POPR and should not be routinely administered for pancreatic resections.

Prophylactic somatostatin analogs for postoperative pancreatic fistulas: a cross-sectional survey of AHPBA surgeons

BACKGROUND

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.

METHODS

An online 26-question cross-sectional survey was distributed via email to the members of the Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association in April 2023.

RESULTS

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%).

CONCLUSION

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.

Non-Surgical Interventions for the Prevention of Clinically Relevant Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula-A Narrative Review

Clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality after pancreatic surgery. Post-pancreatectomy acute pancreatitis (PPAP) has been increasingly understood as a precursor and exacerbator of CR-POPF. No longer believed to be the consequence of surgical technique, the solution to preventing CR-POPF may lie instead in non-surgical, mainly pharmacological interventions. Five databases were searched, identifying eight pharmacological preventative strategies, including neoadjuvant therapy, somatostatin and its analogues, antibiotics, analgesia, corticosteroids, protease inhibitors, miscellaneous interventions with few reports, and combination strategies. Two further non-surgical interventions studied were nutrition and fluids. New potential interventions were also identified from related surgical and experimental contexts. Given the varied efficacy reported for these interventions, numerous opportunities for clarifying this heterogeneity remain. By reducing CR-POPF, patients may avoid morbid sequelae, experience shorter hospital stays, and ensure timely delivery of adjuvant therapy, overall aiding survival where prognosis, particularly in pancreatic cancer patients, is poor.

Somatostatin analogues for the prevention of pancreatic fistula after open pancreatoduodenectomy: A nationwide analysis

BACKGROUND

Somatostatin analogues (SA) are currently used to prevent postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) development. However, its use is controversial. This study investigated the effect of different SA protocols on the incidence of POPF after pancreatoduodenectomy in a nationwide population.

METHODS

All patients undergoing elective open pancreatoduodenectomy were included from the Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Audit (2014-2017). Patients were divided into six groups: no SA, octreotide, lanreotide, pasireotide, octreotide only in high-risk (HR) patients and lanreotide only in HR patients. Primary endpoint was POPF grade B/C. The updated alternative Fistula Risk Score was used to compare POPF rates across various risk scenarios.

RESULTS

1992 patients were included. Overall POPF rate was 13.1%. Lanreotide (10.0%), octreotide-HR (9.4%) and no protocol (12.7%) POPF rates were lower compared to the other protocols (varying from 15.1 to 19.1%, p = 0.001) in crude analysis. Sub-analysis in patients with HR of POPF showed a significantly lower rate of POPF when treated with lanreotide (10.0%) compared to no protocol, octreotide and pasireotide protocol (21.6-26.9%, p = 0.006). Octreotide-HR and lanreotide-HR protocol POPF rates were comparable to lanreotide protocol, however not significantly different from the other protocols. Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated lanreotide protocol to be positively associated with a low odds-ratio (OR) for POPF (OR 0.387, 95% CI 0.180-0.834, p = 0.015). In-hospital mortality rates were not affected.

CONCLUSION

Use of lanreotide in all patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy has a potential protective effect on POPF development. Protocols for HR patients only might be favorable too. However, future studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

A randomised, multicentre trial of somatostatin to prevent clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula in intermediate-risk patients after pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

Prophylactic somatostatin to reduce the incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy remains controversial. We assessed the preventive efficacy of somatostatin on clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula in intermediate-risk patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at pancreatic centres in China.

METHODS

In this multicentre, prospective, randomised controlled trial, we used the updated postoperative pancreatic fistula classification criteria and cases were confirmed by an independent data monitoring committee to improve comparability between centres. The primary endpoint was the rate of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula within 30 days after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

RESULTS

Eligible patients (randomised, n = 205; final analysis, n = 199) were randomised to receive postoperative intravenous somatostatin (250 μg/h over 120 h; n = 99) or conventional therapy (n = 100). The primary endpoint was significantly lower in the somatostatin vs control group (n = 13 vs n = 25; 13% vs 25%, P = 0.032). There were no significant differences for biochemical leak (P = 0.289), biliary fistula (P = 0.986), abdominal infection (P = 0.829), chylous fistula (P = 0.748), late postoperative haemorrhage (P = 0.237), mean length of hospital stay (P = 0.512), medical costs (P = 0.917), reoperation rate (P > 0.99), or 30 days' readmission rate (P = 0.361). The somatostatin group had a higher rate of delayed gastric emptying vs control (n = 33 vs n = 21; 33% vs 21%, P = 0.050).

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylactic somatostatin treatment reduced clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula in intermediate-risk patients after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03349424.

Impact of pasireotide on postoperative pancreatic fistulas following distal resections

Purpose

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), a difficult complication after surgery, can cause peripancreatic fluid collection and infections in the operative area. In addition, pancreatic fluid is corrosive and can lead to postoperative bleeding. Clinically significant grade B and C fistulas (CR-POPF) increase postoperative morbidity, resulting in a prolonged hospital stay. Delaying adjuvant therapy due to fistula formation in cancer patients can affect their prognosis. In this study, we aimed to determine if pasireotide affects fistula formation, and the severity of other complications in patients following pancreatic distal resections.

Data and methods

Between 2000 and 2016, 258 distal pancreatectomies were performed at Helsinki University Hospital and were included in our analysis. Pasireotide was administered to patients undergoing distal resections between July 2014 and December 2016. Patients received 900-μg pasireotide administered twice daily perioperatively. Other patients who received octreotide treatment were analyzed separately. Complications such as fistulas (POPF), delayed gastric emptying (DGE), postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH), reoperations, and mortality were recorded and analyzed 90 days postoperatively.

Results

Overall, 47 (18%) patients received pasireotide and 31 (12%) octreotide, while 180 patients (70%) who received neither constituted the control group. There were 40 (16%) clinically relevant grade B and C POPFs: seven (15%) in the pasireotide group, three (10%) in the octreotide group, and 30 (17%) in the control group (p = 0.739). Severe complications categorized as Clavien–Dindo grade III or IV were recorded in 64 (25%) patients: 17 (27%) in the pasireotide group, 4 (6%) in the octreotide group, and 43 (67%) in the control group (p = 0.059). We found no 90-day mortality.

Conclusions

In this study, pasireotide did not reduce clinically relevant POPFs or severe complications following pancreatic distal resection.

Effect of Hydrocortisone vs Pasireotide on Pancreatic Surgery Complications in Patients With High Risk of Pancreatic Fistula: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Question

Is hydrocortisone noninferior compared with pasireotide in reducing pancreatic surgery complications?

Findings

In this randomized clinical trial that included 126 patients undergoing partial pancreatectomy, the mean Comprehensive Complication Index score (a measurement of overall postoperative morbidity) was –6.16 points lower in patients receiving pasireotide and the lower limit of the 90% CI crossed the prespecified noninferiority margin (–9). In subgroup analyses of patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy, the mean Comprehensive Complication Index score was significantly lower (10.3 points) in the pasireotide vs hydrocortisone group.

Meaning

In this study, hydrocortisone is not noninferior compared with pasireotide, and pasireotide may be more effective in reducing postoperative complications in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy.

Importance

Both hydrocortisone and pasireotide have been shown in randomized clinical trials to be effective in reducing postoperative complications of pancreatic surgery, but to date no randomized clinical trial has evaluated the effectiveness of pasireotide compared with hydrocortisone.

Objective

To assess the noninferiority of hydrocortisone compared with pasireotide in reducing complications after partial pancreatectomy.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A noninferiority, parallel-group, individually randomized clinical trial was conducted at a single academic center between May 19, 2016, and December 17, 2018. Outcome collectors and analyzers were blinded. A total of 281 patients undergoing partial pancreatectomy were assessed for inclusion. Patients younger than 18 years, those allergic to hydrocortisone or pasireotide, patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy with hard pancreas or dilated pancreatic duct, and patients not eventually undergoing partial pancreatectomy were excluded. Modified intention-to-treat analysis was used in determination of the results.

Interventions

Treatment included pasireotide, 900 μg, subcutaneously twice a day for 7 days or hydrocortisone, 100 mg, intravenously 3 times a day for 3 days.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) score within 30 days. The noninferiority limit was set to 9 CCI points.

Results

Of the 281 patients (mean [SD] age, 63.8 years) assessed for eligibility, 168 patients (mean [SD] age, 63.6 years) were randomized and 126 were included in the modified intention-to-treat analyses. Sixty-three patients received pasireotide (35 men [56%]; median [interquartile range] age, 64 [56-70] years) and 63 patients received hydrocortisone (25 men [40%]; median [interquartile range] age, 67 [56-73] years). The mean (SD) CCI score was 23.94 (17.06) in the pasireotide group and 30.11 (20.47) in the hydrocortisone group (mean difference, –6.16; 2-sided 90% CI, –11.73 to –0.60), indicating that hydrocortisone was not noninferior. Postoperative pancreatic fistula was detected in 34 patients (54%) in the pasireotide group and 39 patients (62%) in the hydrocortisone group (odds ratio, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.68-2.82; P = .37). One patient in the pasireotide group and 2 patients in the hydrocortisone group died within 30 days. In subgroup analyses of patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy, the CCI score was a mean of 10.3 points lower (mean [SD], 16.03 [11.94] vs 26.28 [21.76]; 2-sided 95% CI, −19.34 to −2.12; P = .03) and postoperative pancreatic fistula rate was lower (37% vs 67%; P = .02) in the pasireotide group compared with the hydrocortisone group.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, hydrocortisone was not noninferior compared with pasireotide in patients undergoing partial pancreatectomy. Pasireotide may be more effective than hydrocortisone in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02775227; EudraCT identifier: 2016-000212-16

Efficacy of Pasireotide for Prevention of Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula in Pancreatic Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pasireotide was recently suggested for the prevention of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreatic surgery. However, its efficacy remains to be controversially dicussed. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of pasireotide for preventing POPF after pancreatic surgery.

METHOD

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library to identify clinical studies investigating the efficacy of pasireotide after pancreatic surgery. The identified studies were critically appraised, and meta-analyses were then performed. The study was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and was registered at the PROSPERO study database (CRD42018112334).

RESULTS

Four studies with a total of 919 patients were included: 418 with pasireotide treatment and 501 controls. Meta-analysis showed that pasireotide could reduce neither clinically relevant POPF rate (OR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.49-1.24; P = 0.29) nor overall POPF rate (OR = 0.94; 95% CI, 0.60-1.48; P = 0.80) after pancreatic resections. There were no significant differences in delayed gastric emptying, mortality, and postoperative hospital stay after pancreatic surgery. However, pasireotide reduces readmission after pancreatic surgery (OR = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.44-0.85; P = 0.004). Subgroup analyses revealed that prophylactic use of pasireotide did not reduce the incidence of clinically relevant POPF after pancreaticoduodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy compared with the control.

CONCLUSION

Based on the available evidence, use of pasireotide may not reduce clinically relevant POPF as well as it may not improve postoperative course substantially after pancreatic surgery. Further investigator-initiated high-quality trials are needed.

Early postoperative pancreatitis following pancreaticoduodenectomy: what is clinically relevant postoperative pancreatitis?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Postoperative pancreatitis (POP) has recently been shown to be the cause of pancreatic fistula (POPF) following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The aim of the present study was to document the perioperative outcome associated with POP and determine potential risk factors for POP.

METHODS

Patients undergoing PD between 2009 and 2015 were identified from the prospective data base at a single center. The previous suggested definition of POP by Connor was used. Complications were graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification and by the grading proposed for POP. Risk factors for POP were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Of 190 patients, a total of 100 patients (53%) developed POP of whom 22 (12%) and 13 (7%) had grade B and grade C complications, respectively. Elevated serum CRP-levels on postoperative day (POD) 2 and elevated serum lipase on POD 1 were associated with onset of cr-POP.

CONCLUSION

The proposed definition of POP constitutes a valuable tool to assess a serious pancreatic-surgery associated complication. Routine serum CRP and serum lipase levels on the first two postoperative days enable sufficient discrimination of clinically relevant POP.

Outcomes after Pancreatectomy with Routine Pasireotide Use

BACKGROUND

Morbidity after pancreatectomy is commonly due to leakage of exocrine secretions resulting in abscess or pancreatic fistula (PF). Previously, we authored a double-blind randomized controlled trial demonstrating that perioperative pasireotide administration lowers abscess or PF formation by >50%. Accordingly, we adopted pasireotide use as standard practice after pancreatectomy in October 2014 and hypothesized a similar PF/abscess rate reduction would be observed.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospectively maintained database was queried for all patients who underwent pancreatectomy between October 2014 and July 2017. Pasireotide was administered preoperatively and twice daily for 7 days postoperatively or until discharge. The primary end point was clinically relevant PF/abscess requiring procedural intervention, identical to the earlier trial outcomes. Logistic regression was used to compare outcomes with the placebo arm of the earlier randomized trial and to control known PF risk factors.

RESULTS

During the 34-month study period, 652 patients underwent pancreatectomy (211 distal pancreatectomy, 441 pancreaticoduodenectomy). Compared with the historical placebo group (n = 148), the observational group had an increased prevalence of higher American Society of Anesthesiologists scores (69% vs 54%; p < 0.001) and high-risk cases (small duct and soft gland, 47% vs 36%; p = 0.030). The primary end point occurred in 13.3% of patients receiving pasireotide vs 20.9% in the placebo arm of the earlier trial trial (odds ratio 0.58; 95% CI 0.37 to 0.92; p = 0.020). Biliary leakage was lower in those receiving pasireotide (0.6% vs 3.4%; p = 0.014), and other morbidity was unchanged. No subpopulation was identified more likely to benefit from pasireotide.

CONCLUSIONS

At our center, adoption of pasireotide has allowed us to achieve a clinically significant abscess or pancreatic leak rate of 13.3%, approximating the effect observed in the randomized trial of pasireotide during routine surgical practice.