Clinical usefulness of saphenous vein graft in major arterial reconstruction during extended pancreatectomy

Cryopreserved allografts versus end-to-end anastomosis for the reconstruction of a segment-resected portomesenteric vein during advanced pancreatic cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

Porto-mesenteric vein (PMV) infiltration of pancreatic cancer is classified as borderline resectable cancer. For en-bloc resectability, the probability of PMV resection and reconstruction is the most decisive factor. The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze PMV resection and reconstruction during pancreatic cancer surgery using end-to-end anastomosis (EA) and a cryopreserved allograft (AG) and to verify the effectiveness of reconstruction using an AG.

METHODS

Between May 2012 and June 2021, 84 patients (65 underwent EA, and 19 received AG reconstruction) underwent pancreatic cancer surgery with PMV reconstruction. An AG is a cadaveric graft with a diameter of 8-12 mm and is obtained from a liver transplant donor. Patency after reconstruction, disease recurrence, overall survival, and perioperative factors were assessed.

RESULTS

The median age was higher in EA patients (p = .022) and neoadjuvant therapy (p = .02) was more in AG patients. Upon histopathological examination, the R0 resection margin did not show a significant difference by reconstruction method. During a 36-month survival analysis, primary patency was significantly superior in EA patients (p = .004), and there was no significant difference in recurrence-free survival (p = .628) or overall survival (p = .638) rates.

CONCLUSION

Compared with EA, AG reconstruction after PMV resection during pancreatic cancer surgery showed a lower primary patency, but there was no difference in recurrence-free or overall survival rates. Therefore, the use of AG can be a viable option for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer surgery if the patient is properly followed-up postoperatively.

Clinical significance of variant hepatic artery in pancreatic resection: A comprehensive review

The anatomical structure of the pancreaticoduodenal region is complex and closely related to the surrounding vessels. A variant of the hepatic artery, which is not a rare finding during pancreatic surgery, is prone to intraoperative injury. Inadvertent injury to the hepatic artery may affect liver perfusion, resulting in necrosis, liver abscess, and even liver failure. The preoperative identification of hepatic artery variations, detailed planning of the surgical approach, careful intraoperative dissection, and proper management of the damaged artery are important for preventing hepatic hypoperfusion. Nevertheless, despite the potential risks, planned artery resection has become acceptable in carefully selected patients. Arterial reconstruction is sometimes essential to prevent postoperative ischemic complications and can be performed using various methods. The complexity of procedures such as pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac axis resection may be mitigated by the presence of an aberrant right hepatic artery or a common hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery. Here, we comprehensively reviewed the anatomical basis of hepatic artery variation, its incidence, and its effect on the surgical and oncological outcomes after pancreatic resection. In addition, we provide recommendations for the prevention and management of hepatic artery injury and liver hypoperfusion. Overall, the hepatic artery variant may not worsen surgical and oncological outcomes if it is accurately identified pre-operatively and appropriately managed intraoperatively.

Vascular Resections in Association With Pancreatic Resections for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

Locally advanced pancreatic cancer has been considered for a long period of time as an unresectable lesion and therefore, all patients have been traditionally addressed to the oncological services for palliative purposes. However, due to the wide usage of newer oncological agents in association with improved surgical techniques, radical surgical procedures became feasible. The aim of this study was to present the different surgical procedures that were performed in locally advanced pancreatic cancer patients in order to achieve radical resections.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 2019 and 2020, six cases were submitted to pancreatic and vascular resections in Fundeni Clinical Hospital.

RESULTS

In all cases, surgery with curative intent was attempted; portal vein resection was performed in five cases, whereas arterial resection was performed in three cases. Reconstruction was performed by direct re-anastomosis, by placing cadaveric or synthetic grafts. The postoperative outcomes were favourable in all cases.

CONCLUSION

Vascular resections can be safely associated with pancreatic resections in cases presenting locally advanced pancreatic lesions, with acceptable morbidity rates.

Conversion pancreaticoduodenectomy with dual arterial reconstructions for locally advanced pancreatic cancer: Case report and literature review

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Transection of the celiac artery is often not justified in pancreaticoduodenectomy.

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Reconstruction of the splenic and hepatic arteries might resolve this situation.

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Great saphenous vein graft may be a conduit for non-anatomical arterial inflow.

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Reconstruction of the splenic artery could enable preservation of the stomach.

Introduction

Extended pancreatectomy for initially unresectable locally advanced (URLA) pancreatic carcinoma (PC) often requires combined arterial resection/reconstruction. By limiting candidate arterial inflow after combined resection of the celiac arterial system over a long distance, great saphenous vein graft (GSVG) is an alternative conduit for obtaining non-anatomical arbitrary arterial inflow.

Presentation of case

A 66-year-old woman was diagnosed with URLA pancreatic head carcinoma involving the region from the celiac axis (CA) to the common hepatic and proximal splenic artery (SA). She received 10 courses of modified FOLFIRINOX followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy including S1 with favorable response. The duration of disease control and normalization of serum carbohydrate antigen 19−9 (CA19−9) exceeded 10 months, and conversion surgery was planned. Extended pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) required concomitant resection of the CA to the proper hepatic and SA. The dual arterial reconstructions involved a GSVG interposition from the abdominal aorta to the distal SA to preserve the entire stomach, and from the mesenteric second jejunal artery to the right hepatic artery. The patient achieved pathological R0 resection with a histological response of Evans grade IIB.

Discussion

Reconstruction of the distal SA with GSVG in extended PD enabled preservation of the subtotal stomach and distal pancreas, even when the root of the CA was transected.

Conclusion

Multiple arterial reconstructions using GSVG might be useful in extended pancreatectomy to preserve visceral organs, offer better quality of life in terms of oral intake and nutritional status, and control blood glucose than after total pancreatectomy concomitant with subtotal gastrectomy.