Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy for a huge leiomyosarcoma in the third portion of the duodenum

Pancreas preserving distal duodenectomy: A versatile operation for a range of infra-papillary pathologies

AIM

To investigate the range of pathologies treated by pancreas preserving distal duodenectomy (PPDD) and present the outcome of follow-up.

METHODS

Neoplastic lesions of the duodenum are treated conventionally by pancreaticoduodenectomy. Lesions distal to the major papilla may be suitable for a pancreas-preserving distal duodenectomy, potentially reducing morbidity and mortality. We present our experience with this procedure. Selective intraoperative duodenoscopy assessed the relationship of the papilla to the lesion. After duodenal mobilisation and confirmation of the site of the lesion, the duodenum was transected distal to the papilla and beyond the duodenojejunal flexure and a side-to-side duodeno-jejunal anastomosis was formed. Patients were identified from a prospectively maintained database and outcomes determined from digital health records with a dataset including demographics, co-morbidities, mode of presentation, preoperative imaging and assessment, nutritional support needs, technical operative details, blood transfusion requirements, length of stay, pathology including lymph node yield and lymph node involvement, length of follow-up, complications and outcomes. Related published literature was also reviewed.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients had surgery with the intent of performing PPDD from 2003 to 2016. Nineteen underwent PPDD successfully. Two patients planned for PPDD proceeded to formal pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) while three had unresectable disease. Median post-operative follow-up was 32 mo. Pathologies resected included duodenal adenocarcinoma (n = 6), adenomas (n = 5), gastrointestinal stromal tumours (n = 4) and lipoma, bleeding duodenal diverticulum, locally advanced colonic adenocarcinoma and extrinsic compression (n = 1 each). Median postoperative length of stay (LOS) was 8 d and morbidity was low [pain and nausea/vomiting (n = 2), anastomotic stricture (n = 1), pneumonia (n = 1), and overwhelming post-splenectomy sepsis (n = 1, asplenic patient)]. PPDD was associated with a significantly shorter LOS than a contemporaneous PD series [PPDD 8 (6-14) d vs PD 11 (10-16) d, median (IQR), P = 0.026]. The 30-d mortality was zero and 16 of 19 patients are alive to date. One patient died of recurrent duodenal adenocarcinoma 18 mo postoperatively and two died of unrelated disease (at 2 mo and at 8 years respectively).

CONCLUSION

PPDD is a versatile operation that can provide definitive treatment for a range of duodenal pathologies including adenocarcinoma.

Experience with the technique of pancreas-sparing distal duodenectomy

Pancreas-sparing distal duodenectomy (PSDD) is a novel surgical technique for tumors of distal duodenum below the ampulla to achieve oncologically free margins and avoid multiple anastomoses. We report PSDD performed in five cases, three duodenal adenocarcinoma, and two neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Three patients had adenocarcinoma of D3 and D4 with free ampulla. PSDD was performed with total excision of regional nodes. In the two patients with NETs, one had a mass lesion close to the pancreatic head. The mass was excised followed by PSDD. There were four small primary NETs in the duodenum, and the mass was metastatic lymph node. The second patient had primary duodenal NET with liver metastases. After transarterial chemoembolization, PSDD with liver metastatectomy was performed. Specimens in all five cases showed clear margins. The patients had a smooth recovery and were well at a median follow up of 10 months.

Pancreas-preserving segmental duodenectomy for gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the duodenum and splenectomy for splenic angiosarcoma

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and occur rarely in the duodenum. Splenic angiosarcoma is an aggressive neoplasm with an extremely poor prognosis.

METHODS

We report a case of a 70-year-old man hospitalized for abdominal pain in the upper quadrants, dyspepsia and nausea, previously treated for Hodgkin lymphoma 30 years ago. Abdominal CT showed a solid nodular lesion in the third portion of the duodenum, the presence of retropancreatic, aortic and caval lymph nodes, and four nodular splenic masses. (111)In-octreotide scintigraphy revealed pathological tissue accumulation in the duodenal region, and in the retropancreatic, retroduodenal, aortic and caval lymph nodes, suggesting a nonfunctioning neuroendocrine peripancreatic tumor.

RESULTS

At exploratory laparotomy, an exophytic soft tumor was found originating from the third portion of the duodenum. Pancreas-preserving duodenectomy with duodenojejunostomy, splenectomy and lymphnodectomy of retropancreatic aortic and caval lymph nodes were performed. Pathological evaluation and immunohistochemical studies showed the presence of a duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor with low mitotic activity and a well-differentiated angiosarcoma localized to the spleen and invading lymph nodes.

CONCLUSIONS

We speculated that the angiosarcoma and duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors of this patient were due to the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma with radiotherapy 30 years ago. Pancreas-preserving segmental duodenectomy can be used to treat non-malignant neoplasms of the duodenum and avoid extensive surgery. Splenectomy is the treatment of choice for localized angiosarcomas but a strict follow-up is mandatory because of the possibility of recurrence.

Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy with regional lymphadenectomy for pTis and pT1 ampullary carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The role of pancreas-sparing duodenectomy (PSD) in the treatment of ampullary carcinoma (Amp Ca) with local lymph node metastasis remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility, safety, and long-term prognosis of PSD with regional lymphadenectomy in the treatment of early-stage (pTis/pT1) Amp Ca with or without regional lymph node metastasis.

METHODS

Between May 2005 and November 2009, 31 consecutive patients with Amp Ca were enrolled in this study; 25 underwent PSD. A retrospective control group of 28 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for Amp Ca during the same period was established. These 2 groups were matched in terms of demographic data, tumor size, and TNM classification.

RESULTS

In the PSD group, 9 patients (36%) had regional lymph node metastasis, and 23 patients (92%) had R0 resection. Patients who underwent PSD achieved favorable results in intraoperative blood loss, duration of hospital stay, and morbidity rate. The 3-year overall and disease-free survival in PSD group were 72% and 61%, respectively. There were no differences in hospital mortality and long-term survival between the 2 groups, even for patients with lymph node metastasis (N1).

CONCLUSION

PSD with regional lymphadenectomy is feasible and safe in the treatment of pTis/pT1 Amp Ca with or without regional lymph node metastasis. Long-term survival and morbidity rates are also favorable. PSD can be performed as an alternative of PD in selected patients with Amp Ca.

Adenocarcinoma of the minor duodenal papilla treated with pancreas-sparing segmental duodenectomy: case report and review of the literature

Carcinoma of the minor duodenal papilla is extremely rare. We present the case of a 69-year-old man diagnosed with a tumor of the second portion of the duodenum by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which revealed a 1.5-cm elevated tumor with slight ulceration at the minor duodenal papilla. Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma, and a computed tomography scan showed an enhanced tumor in the duodenum, with no abnormality in the pancreatic head. A pancreas-sparing segmental duodenectomy was performed, and the duodenum reconstructed with an end-to-end anastomosis. Microscopically, the tumor was a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, with no infiltration at the cut end of the accessory pancreatic duct. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient discharged on postoperative day 11. We reviewed previously reported cases of carcinoma of the minor duodenal papilla. Early and exact preoperative diagnosis of duodenal neoplasms makes it possible to select a less invasive treatment, which also maintains curability.

Pancreas sparing duodenectomy as an emergency procedure

Background

The operative techniques to close extensive wounds to the duodenum are well described. However, postoperative morbidity is common and includes suture line leak and the formation of fistulae. The aim of this case series is to present pancreas sparing duodenectomy as a safe and viable alternative procedure in the emergency milieu.

Methods

Five patients underwent emergency pancreas sparing duodenal excisions. Re-implantation of the papilla of Vater or the papilla with a surrounding mucosal patch was performed in two patients. In one, the procedure was further supplemented with a duodenocholangiostomy, stapled pyloric exclusion and enterogastrostomy to defunction the pylorus. In another three patients, distal duodenal excisions were done.

Results

In four patients, an uneventful recovery was made. One patient died following a myocardial infarction. The surgery lasted meanly 160 minutes with average blood loss of approximately 500 milliliters. The mean hospital stay was 12 days. Enteral nutrition was introduced within the 20 hours after the surgery. Long term follow-up of all surviving patients confirmed a good outcome and normal nutritional status.

Conclusion

Based on the presented series of patients, we suggest that pancreas-sparing duodenectomy can be considered in selected patients with laceration of the duodenum deemed unsuitable for surgical reconstruction.

Duodenal Stromal Tumor: Report of a Case

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are rare tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that arise from primitive mesenchymal cells. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors account for approximately 80% all of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors. Duodenal stromal tumors (DSTs) manifest with unexplained melena, pain, bleeding, anemia, sometimes a partial duodenal obstruction and, rarely, with obstructive jaundice. If the tumor is successfully treated, its prognosis is usually good because of its non-aggressive nature. If resected, the prognosis is favorable in a majority of cases, and it is much better than in carcinomas of the duodenum. In this article, we report a case of DST originating from the first and second portion of the duodenum. Our patient did not have any problems postoperatively and remained symptom-free at 18 months after surgery.

Pancreas-sparing distal duodenectomy for infrapapillary neoplasms

INTRODUCTION

For neoplasms that arise in the third and fourth parts of the duodenum (D(3), D(4)), a duodenectomy that preserves the pancreas can provide adequate tumour clearance while avoiding the additional dissection and risk of the common alternative, pancreatoduodenectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Pancreas-sparing distal duodenectomy (PSDD) was performed in 14 patients with infrapapillary duodenal neoplasms between 1991-2002, and the clinical outcome is reviewed. The operation entails careful separation of the lower pancreatic head from D(3), complete mobilisation of the ligament of Treitz and end-to-end duodenojejunal anastomosis 1-3 cm below the major duodenal papilla.

RESULTS

There were 9 men and 5 women of median age 56 years, who presented with iron-deficiency anaemia (n = 8), gastric outlet obstruction (n = 4), anaemia and gastric outlet obstruction (n = 1), epigastric pain or mass (1 each). There were 11 malignant neoplasms (adenocarcinoma 5, stromal tumour 4, recurrent seminoma 1, plasmacytoma 1), 2 benign neoplasms (villous adenoma, lipoma) and 1 patient with steroid-induced ulceration. In addition to D(3) and D(4), resection included the distal part of D(2) in 5 patients, while 4 required concomitant partial colectomy. Median operation time was 240 min and median blood loss 1197 ml, being greater for malignant than benign lesions (1500 ml versus 700 ml). There was one death from gangrenous cholecystitis, one early re-operation for anastomotic bleeding and one late re-operation for delayed gastric emptying secondary to anastomotic stricture, but no pancreatic complications. At a median follow-up of 47 months, three patients had died of recurrent disease while the other 10 were alive and well with no upper gastrointestinal symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Provided there is a minimum 1-cm clearance at the papilla, PSDD is a useful alternative to formal pancreatoduodenectomy in patients with unusual neoplasms arising from the third and fourth parts of the duodenum. Although a major undertaking in its own right, it avoids the extra time of a pancreatic resection and the extra risk of a pancreatic anastomosis.