Organ-preserving surgery for benign lesions and low-grade malignancies of the pancreatic head: a matched case-control study

Long-Term Oncologic Outcome following Duodenum-Preserving Pancreatic Head Resection for Benign Tumors, Cystic Neoplasms, and Neuroendocrine Tumors: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) has a considerable surgical risk for complications and late metabolic morbidity. Parenchyma-sparing resection of benign tumors has the potential to cure patients associated with reduced procedure-related short- and long-term complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane libraries were searched for studies reporting surgery-related complications following PD and duodenum-preserving total (DPPHRt) or partial (DPPHRp) pancreatic head resection for benign tumors. A total of 38 cohort studies that included data from 1262 patients were analyzed. In total, 729 patients underwent DPPHR and 533 PD.

RESULTS

Concordance between preoperative diagnosis of benign tumors and final histopathology was 90.57% for DPPHR. Cystic and neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNETs) and periampullary tumors (PATs) were observed in 497, 89, and 31 patients, respectively. In total, 34 of 161 (21.1%) patients with intraepithelial papillar mucinous neoplasm exhibited severe dysplasia in the final histopathology. The meta-analysis, when comparing DPPHRt and PD, revealed in-hospital mortality of 1/362 (0.26%) and 8/547 (1.46%) patients, respectively [OR 0.48 (95% CI 0.15-1.58); p = 0.21], and frequency of reoperation of 3.26 % and 6.75%, respectively [OR 0.52 (95% CI 0.28-0.96); p = 0.04]. After a follow-up of 45.8 ± 26.6 months, 14/340 patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms/mucinous cystic neoplasms (IPMN/MCN, 4.11%) and 2/89 patients with PNET (2.24%) exhibited tumor recurrence. Local recurrence at the resection margin and reoccurrence of tumor growth in the remnant pancreas was comparable after DPPHR or PD [OR 0.94 (95% CI 0.178-5.34); p = 0.96].

CONCLUSIONS

DPPHR for benign, premalignant neoplasms provides a cure for patients with low risk of tumor recurrence and significantly fewer early surgery-related complications compared with PD. DPPHR has the potential to replace PD for benign, premalignant cystic and neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Duodenum-Preserving Pancreatic Head Resection for Benign and Premalignant Tumors-a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Surgery-Associated Morbidity

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic benign, cystic, and neuroendocrine neoplasms are increasingly detected and recommended for surgical treatment. In multiorgan resection pancreatoduodenectomy or parenchyma-sparing, local extirpation is a challenge for decision-making regarding surgery-related early and late postoperative morbidity.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Libraries were searched for studies reporting early surgery-related complications following pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) and duodenum-preserving total (DPPHRt) or partial (DPPHRp) pancreatic head resection for benign tumors. Thirty-four cohort studies comprising data from 1099 patients were analyzed. In total, 654 patients underwent DPPHR and 445 patients PD for benign tumors. This review and meta-analysis does not need ethical approval.

RESULTS

Comparing DPPHRt and PD, the need for blood transfusion (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.10-0.41, p<0.01), re-intervention for serious surgery-related complications (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.31-0.73, p<0.001), and re-operation for severe complications (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.26-0.95, p=0.04) were significantly less frequent following DPPHRt. Pancreatic fistula B+C (19.0 to 15.3%, p=0.99) and biliary fistula (6.3 to 4.3%; p=0.33) were in the same range following PD and DPPHRt. In-hospital mortality after DPPHRt was one of 350 patients (0.28%) and after PD eight of 445 patients (1.79%) (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.10-1.09, p=0.07). Following DPPHRp, there was no mortality among the 192 patients.

CONCLUSION

DPPHR for benign pancreatic tumors is associated with significantly fewer surgery-related, serious, and severe postoperative complications and lower in-hospital mortality compared to PD. Tailored use of DPPHRt or DPPHRp contributes to a reduction of surgery-related complications. DPPHR has the potential to replace PD for benign tumors and premalignant cystic and neuroendocrine neoplasms of the pancreatic head.

Experience in the resection of the uncinate process of the pancreas: Indications and results. Literature review

INTRODUCTION

The aim of our study is to assess the accumulated experience in the use of uncinatectomy (UC) as a parenchymal-sparing pancreatectomy technique.

METHOD

We have carried out a observational and descriptive study including restrospectively all the patients undergoing UC at Hospital Universitary de Bellvitge (HUB) and an exhaustive review of the cases described in the english literature.

RESULTS

From 2003 to 2019, seven patients have been operated by UC in the HUB with a diagnostic orientation of pancreatic lesion considered premalignant. All patients have presented morbidity, mainly in the form of postoperative pancreatic fistula, and none of them have presented endocrine or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Currently, all patients are alive and without recurrence of neoplastic disease. Another 29 cases have been described in the literature. Of all the cases (36 patients), the approach was minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) in 6 patients (16.7%), leading to a shorter hospital stay. The global incidence of pancreatic fistula is 50%, with a re-admission rate of less than 10%, but without requiring re-intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

UC is an infrequent and poorly standardized technique for the resection of benign lesions or those with low potential for malignancy located in the uncinate process of the pancreas. Although it is associated with equal or greater morbidity than standardized resection techniques, it offers excellent preservation of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic function, with the consequent long-term benefit in the patients life quality.

Minimally Invasive Resection of the Uncinate Process of the Pancreas: Anatomical Considerations and Surgical Technique

BACKGROUND

Low-grade lesions may benefit from pancreatic-sparing techniques. Resection of the uncinate process is rarely performed and reported due to its complexity that requires careful patient selection and accurate knowledge of the pancreatic anatomy. This study describes relevant anatomical elements to safely perform this complex operation in the minimally invasive setting.

METHODS

In this study, consecutive patients undergoing resection of the uncinate process of the pancreas were studied. Patients undergoing open approach were used for comparison. Preoperative and intraoperative variables were recorded, and the diagnosis and tumor size were determined from the pathology reports. Immediate postoperative results and hospital stay were analyzed. Follow-up was used to assess long-term complications and endocrine and exocrine functions.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients underwent resection of the uncinate process. The median age was 57 years. There were 21 males and eight females. Twenty patients underwent minimally invasive resection (14 laparoscopic and six by robotic approach) and nine were operated by open approach. A clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula was observed in one patient (3.4%). Biochemical leakage was present in 44.8% of our patients. Mean follow-up was 62 months (3-147). Two patients needed reoperation during follow-up. No patient presented exocrine or endocrine insufficiency during late follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive resection of the uncinate process of the pancreas is a complex but a feasible procedure that preserves the pancreatic endocrine and exocrine functions. This pancreas-sparing procedure is an interesting alternative to pancreaticoduodenectomy in selected patients.

Organ preserving pancreatic resections offer better long-term conservation of pancreatic function at the expense of high perioperative major morbidity: a fair trade-off for benign or low malignant potential pancreatic neoplasms-a single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Standard pancreatic resections (SPRs) might have long-term deleterious effects on pancreatic function, without added oncological advantage in low malignant potential (LMP) or benign neoplasms. This study aimed to evaluate outcomes following organ-preserving pancreatic resections (OPPARs) and SPRs.

METHOD

Post hoc analysis of patients undergoing OPPAR or SPR for benign or LMP pancreatic tumors from January 2011 to January 2020 at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

RESULTS

Thirty-six and 114 patients were identified in OPPAR and SPR groups respectively. The overall morbidity (58.3% vs 43.9%, p-0.129) was comparable. Major morbidity (41.7% vs 21.9%, p-0.020), post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF) (63.9% vs 35.1%, p-0.002), and clinically relevant POPF (41.7% vs 20.2%, p-0.010) were significantly higher with OPPAR. Post-operative endocrine insufficiency (14.9% vs 11.1%, p-0.567), exocrine insufficiency (19.3% vs 0%, p-0.004), and requirement of long-term pancreatic enzyme replacement (17.5% vs 0%, p-0.007) were higher in SPRs. Comparing left-sided and right-sided resections in the entire cohort, incidence of endocrine insufficiency was 17.1% vs 11.2% (p-0.299) and that of exocrine insufficiency was 8.6% vs 20% (p-0.048) respectively.

CONCLUSION

OPPAR is associated with high post-operative major morbidity and pancreatic fistula rate but offers long-term benefit due to better preservation of pancreatic function than SPR. The incidence of exocrine insufficiency is higher in right sided as compared to left-sided pancreatic resections.

Duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection. Early postoperative outcomes

Aim. To study the early postoperative outcomes of duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resections in benign, premalignant tumors of the pancreatic head and chronic pancreatitis complicated by duodenal dystrophy in comparison with the results of pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Materials and methods. From 2006 to 2019, 54 patients underwent duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection for chronic pancreatitis complicated by duodenal dystrophy, benign or premalignant tumors of the pancreatic head. At the same time, in 25 cases, the operation was performed in an isolated version, in 29 – with a resection of the duodenum. As a comparison group, we used data from 89 patients who underwent pyloruspreserving pancreaticoduodenectomy during the same period. Results. Compared to pancreaticoduodenectomy, duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection exhibits significantly longer times for surgery (420 and 310 minutes, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in the volume of intraoperative blood loss. There are no differences between groups in hospital morbidity (the frequency of pancreatic fistulas, delayed gastric emptying, bile leakage and post-resection bleeding). The frequency of postoperative complications for Clavien-Dindo III and higher did not differ significantly in the groups. There is no hospital mortality after duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection; three patients died after pancreatoduodenectomy. Conclusion. Early postoperative outcomes following duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection and pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy are comparable. However, to develop a full-fledged concept of surgical treatment of pancreatic head benign, premalignant neoplasms and chronic pancreatitis with duodenal dystrophy, it is necessary to analyze the long-term outcomes of treatment.

Pancreatectomies for pediatric pancreatic tumors: A single institute experience from 2007 to 2018

BACKGROUND

To investigate the safety, feasibility, and complications of pancreatectomies for pediatric pancreatic tumors.

METHODS

The medical records of pancreatectomy patients from January 2007 to January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed for perioperative factors and complications. Patients were divided into pancreatic head (n = 43), body (n = 18) and tail (n = 43) groups.

RESULTS

Seventy-two girls and 32 boys (median age 10 years at diagnosis, range: 0-15 years) were enrolled and had solid pseudopapillary tumors (n = 73), pancreatoblastoma (n = 19), neuroendocrine tumors (n = 9), and others. Primary surgical procedures included pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 10) and distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy (n = 4), and organ-sparing resection procedures included duodenum-preserving pancreas head resection (n = 25), middle segmental pancreatic resection (n = 15), spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (n = 37) and local enucleation (n = 13), with a median blood loss of 20 cm³ (range: 10-300 cm³). Short-term complications included pancreatic fistula (35.6%), bile leakage (2.9%), intraabdominal infection (21.2%), delayed gastric emptying (23.1%), and postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (5.8%). After a median follow-up of 38 months (range: 3-143 months), 94 patients (90.4%) were alive without tumor recurrence, 2 were alive after tumor recurrence, 1 pancreatoblastoma patient died from tumor recurrence, and 7 were lost to follow-up. Only 14 patients (14/96, 14.6%) had long-term complications at the outpatient follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical resection was the main treatment for pancreatic tumors. Organ-sparing resection procedures led to good long-term results for pediatric pancreatic tumors, even if these procedures could cause a relatively high incidence of short-term complications (especially pancreatic fistula and postpancreatectomy hemorrhage).

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Duodenum-preserving pancreas head resection in the treatment of pediatric benign and low-grade malignant pancreatic tumors

BACKGROUND

To investigate the safety, feasibility, and complications of using duodenum-preserving pancreas head resection (DPPHR) to treat pediatric benign and low-grade malignant pancreatic head tumors.

METHODS

Patients with pancreatic head tumors that underwent resection were retrospectively analyzed for perioperative factors and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients with a median age of 10 years at diagnosis were identified. Patients were divided by procedures into the DPPHR (n = 22), local enucleation (n = 7) and pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD, n = 6) groups. No significant difference was found in operation time between the DPPHR and PPPD groups (P > 0.05). Significantly, longer drainage time, duration of somatostatin use and hospital stay were observed in the DPPHR group than in the PPPD group (P < 0.05). The incidences of short-term complications were not significantly different among the three groups (P > 0.05). The incidence of long-term complications was markedly lower in both the DPPHR and local enucleation groups than in the PPPD group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

DPPHR might be a safe treatment option for pediatric patients with benign and low-grade malignant pancreatic head tumors. The incidence of long-term complications was significantly lower with DPPHR. However, perioperative management might be challenging for surgeons.

Duodenum-sparing pancreatic head resections for benign tumors and chronic pancreatitis

Pancreatoduodenectomy is the most common surgery for benign tumors of the pancreatic head and chronic pancreatitis. However, advanced resection and unsatisfactory quality of life in long-term period call into question the propriety of this procedure for benign tumors of the pancreatic head and chronic pancreatitis. Duodenum-sparing proximal pancreatectomy is the current approach. The review is devoted to the main techniques of duodenum-sparing pancreatectomy, outcomes of these procedures and their role in pancreatic surgery.

Parenchyma-sparing, local pancreatic head resection for premalignant and low-malignant neoplasms - A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Parenchyma-sparing, local pancreatic head resection, but not pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) preserves tissue and maintains the pancreatic metabolic functions.

METHODS

PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Cochrane library collections were systematically searched. Twenty-six cohort studies with 523 cumulative patients, who underwent duodenum-sparing pancreatic head resection (DPPHR), were retrieved. The meta-analysis was based on 14 controlled studies.

RESULTS

In total, 338 patients suffered cystic neoplasms and 59 PNETs, IPMN-174, MCN-43 and SPN-23 patients. Eighty-one patients (15.5%) histo-pathologically displayed a low-malignant tumor, of which 27 were carcinoma in-situ. Tumor recurrence was observed after a mean follow-up of 47.1 months in 11 patients. In-hospital and late mortality after DPPHR was 0.6% and 1.7%, respectively. The meta-analysis was based on 318 DPPHR compared to 404 PD patients. DPPHR was performed for premalignant neoplasm and PNET in 164 and 46 patients, and PD in 181 and 46 patients, respectively. Events of recurrence displayed no statistically significant difference between the DPPHR and PD groups.

CONCLUSION

DPPHR is associated with oncologically complete tumor resection for patients suffering premalignant IPMN, MCN, or SPN and for low-risk cancer.

Laparoscopic duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection: A case report

BACKGROUND

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) of the pancreas are uncommon neoplasms and are potentially malignant. Complete resection is advised due to rare recurrence and metastasis. Duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR) is indicated for SPNs located in the pancreatic head and is only performed using the open approach. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports describing laparoscopic DPPHR (LDPPHR) for SPNs.

METHODS

Herein, we report a case of 41-year-old female presented with a 1-week history of epigastric abdominal discomfort, and founded an SPN of the pancreatic head by abdominal computed tomography/magnetic resonance, who was treated by radical LDPPHR without complications, such as pancreatic fistula and bile leakage. Histological examination of the resected specimen confirmed the diagnosis of SPN.

RESULTS

The patient was discharged 1 week after surgery following an uneventful postoperative period. She was followed up 3 months without readmission and local recurrence according to abdominal ultrasound.

CONCLUSION

LDPPHR is a safe, feasible, and effective surgical procedure for SPNs.

Parenchyma-Sparing, Limited Pancreatic Head Resection for Benign Tumors and Low-Risk Periampullary Cancer--a Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Parenchyma-sparing local extirpation of benign tumors of the pancreatic head provides the potential benefits of preservation of functional tissue and low postoperative morbidity.

METHODS

Medline/PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases were surveyed for studies performing limited resection of the pancreatic head and resection of a segment of the duodenum and common bile duct or preservation of the duodenum and common bile duct (CBD). The systematic analysis included 27 cohort studies that reported on limited pancreatic head resections for benign tumors. In a subgroup analysis, 12 of the cohort studies were additionally evaluated to compare the postoperative morbidity after total head resection including duodenal segment resection (DPPHR-S) and total head resection conserving duodenum and CBD (DPPHR-T).

RESULTS

Three hundred thirty-nine of a total of 503 patients (67.4%) underwent total head resections. One hundred forty-seven patients (29.2%) of them underwent segmental resection of the duodenum and CBD (DPPHR-S) and 192 patients (38.2%) underwent preservation of duodenum and CBD. One hundred sixty-four patients experienced partial head resection (32.6%). The final histological diagnosis revealed in 338 of 503 patients (67.2%) cystic neoplasms, 53 patients (10.3%) neuroendocrine tumors, and 20 patients (4.0%) low-risk periampullary carcinomas. Severe postoperative complications occurred in 62 of 490 patients (12.7%), pancreatic fistula B + C in 40 of 295 patients (13.6%), resurgery was experienced in 2.7%, and delayed gastric emptying in 12.3%. The 90-day mortality was 0.4%. The subgroup analysis comparing 143 DPPHR-S patients with 95 DPPHR-T patients showed that the respective rates of procedure-related biliary complications were 0.7% (1 of 143 patients) versus 8.4% (8 of 95 patients) (p ≤ 0.0032), and rates of duodenal complications were 0 versus 6.3% (6 of 95 patients) (p ≤ 0.0037). DPPHR-S was associated with a higher rate of delay of gastric emptying compared to DPPHR-T (18.9 vs. 2.1%, p ≤ 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Parenchyma-sparing, limited head resection for benign tumors preserves functional pancreatic and duodenal tissue and carries in terms of fistula B + C rate, resurgery, rehospitalization, and 90-day mortality a low risk of postoperative complications. A subgroup analysis exhibited after total pancreatic head resection that preserves the duodenum and CBD an association with a significant increase in procedure-related biliary and duodenal complications compared to total head resection combined with resection of the periampullary segment of the duodenum and resection of the intrapancreatic CBD.

Limited surgery for benign tumours of the pancreas: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Limited surgical procedures for benign cystic neoplasms and endocrine tumours of the pancreas have the potential advantage of pancreatic tissue sparing compared to standard oncological resections.

METHODS

Searching PubMed/MedLine, Embase and Cochrane Library identified 86 full papers: 25 reporting on enucleation (EN), 38 on central pancreatectomy (CP) and 23 on duodenum-preserving total/partial pancreatic head resection (DPPHRt/p). The results are based on analysis of data of 838, 912 and 431 patients for EN, CP and DPPHRt/s, respectively.

RESULTS

The indication for EN for cystic neoplasms and neuro-endocrine tumours to EN was 20.5 and 73 %; for CP 62.9 and 31 %; and for DPPHRt/p 69.6 and 10.2%, respectively. The estimated mean tumour sizes were in EN-group 2.4 cm, in CP-group 2.9 cm and in DPPHRt/p-group 3.1 cm (DPPHRt/p vs EN, p = 0.035). Postoperative severe complications developed after EN, CP and DPPHRt/p in 9.6, 16.8 and 11.5% of patients; pancreatic fistula in 36.7, 35.2 and 20.1%; and reoperation was required in 4.7, 6.5 and 1.8 %, respectively. Hospital mortality after EN was 0.95 %; after CP 0.72%; and after DPPHRt/p 0.49%. Compared to EN and CP, DPPHRt/p exhibited significant lower frequency of reoperation (p = 0.029, p < 0.001) and lower rate of fistula (p < 0.001; p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

EN, CP and DPPHRt/p applied for benign tumours are associated with low surgery-related early postoperative morbidity, a very low hospital mortality and the advantages of conservation of pancreatic functions. However, the level of evidence for EN and CP compared to standard oncological resections appears presently low. There is a high level of evidence from prospective controlled trials regarding the significant maintenance of exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions after DPPHRt/p compared to pancreato-duodenectomy.

Status quo of diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are clinically rare digestive system tumors, which are characterized by insidious onset, a high potential of malignant tendency and a high misdiagnosis rate. In recent years, with the gradual increase of incidence and the continuous improvement of clinical diagnosis level, the detection and diagnosis rates of PNETs have been constantly increasing. In view of their malignant potential, early diagnosis and surgical intervention are essential. Therefore, clinicians should raise their awareness of this disease so as to effectively improve the diagnosis and treatment.

Meta-analysis of surgical outcome after enucleation versus standard resection for pancreatic neoplasms

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic enucleation is a tissue-sparing approach to pancreatic neoplasms and may result in better postoperative pancreatic function than standard pancreatic resection. The objective of this review was to compare the postoperative outcome after pancreatic enucleation versus standard resection.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched systematically until February 2015 to identify studies comparing the outcome of enucleation versus standard resection for pancreatic neoplasms. After critical appraisal, meta-analysis was performed and the findings were presented as odds ratios or weighted mean differences with corresponding 95 per cent c.i.

RESULTS

Twenty-two observational studies (1148 patients) were included. Duration of surgery (P < 0.001), blood loss (P < 0.001), length of hospital stay (P = 0.04), and postoperative endocrine (P < 0.001) and exocrine (P = 0.01) insufficiency were lower after enucleation than after standard resection. Mortality (P = 0.44), overall complications (P = 0.74), reoperation rate (P = 0.93) and delayed gastric emptying (P = 0.15) were not significantly different between the two approaches. The overall rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) was higher after enucleation than after standard resection (P < 0.001). However, the raised POPF rate did not result in higher mortality or overall morbidity. Sensitivity analysis of high-volume studies (total of more than 20 enucleations and more than 4 per year) showed that, in specialized centres, enucleation can be performed with no increased risk of POPF (P = 0.12).

CONCLUSION

Compared with standard resection, pancreatic enucleation can be performed effectively and with comparable safety in high-volume institutions. Enucleation should be considered instead of standard resection for selected pancreatic neoplasms.

Duodenum-preserving total and partial pancreatic head resection for benign tumors--systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Potential benefits of local extirpation of benign pancreatic head tumors are tissue conservation of pancreas, stomach, duodenum and common bile duct (CBD) and maintenance of pancreatic functions.

METHODS

Medline/PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify studies applying duodenum-preserving total or partial pancreatic-head resection (DPPHRt/p) and reporting short- and long-term outcomes. Twenty-four studies, including 416 patients who underwent DPPHRt/p, were identified for systematic analysis. The meta-analysis was based on 10 prospective controlled and 4 retrospective controlled cohort studies, comparing 293 DPPHRt/p resections with 372 pancreato-duodenectomies (PD).

RESULTS, SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS

Of 416 patients, 75.7% underwent total and 24.3% partial head resection, while 47.1% included segmentectomy of duodenum and CBD. The most common pathology was cystic neoplasm (65.8%) and endocrine tumors (13.4%). The frequencies of severe postoperative complications of 8.8%, pancreatic fistula of 19.2%, re-operation of 1.7% and hospital mortality of 0.48%, indicate a low level of early post-operative complications.

META-ANALYSIS

DPPHRt/p significantly preserved the level of exocrine (IV = -0.67, 95% CI -0.98 to -0.35, p = 0.0001) and endocrine (IV = 18.20, fixed, 95% CI -0.92 to 25.48, p = 0.0001) pancreatic functions compared to PD when the pre- and postoperative functional status in both groups are analyzed. There were no significant differences between DPPHRt/p and PD in frequency of pancreatic fistula, delayed gastric emptying or hospital mortality.

CONCLUSION

DPPHRt/p for benign neoplasms and neuro-endocrine tumors of the pancreatic head is associated with a low level of early-postoperative complications and a better conservation of exocrine and endocrine functions.

Duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection in solid pseudopapillary neoplasm-Report of a case

INTRODUCTION

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPPN) was first characterized by Virginia Frantz in 1959. The duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR) has been described as treatment for low-grade malignant tumors of the head of the pancreas including eight cases of SPPN.

PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 16-year-old white female patient presented with abdominal pain and dyspepsia. Computed tomography scan of abdomen showed a 10 × 9 × 10 cm³ lesion on the pancreatic head. After radiological diagnosis of SPPN the patient was submitted to DPPHR. Resection was achieved with clear margins. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated positivity for progesterone receptor, β-catenin, cytoplasmic paranuclear dot-like CD99, negativity for chromogranin and S100 protein and Ki 67 index of 1%.

DISCUSSION

A large encapsulated pancreatic mass with well-defined borders that contains areas of calcifications and intratumoral hemorrhage on CT scan in a young female is virtually diagnostic of an SPPN. A particular dot-like intracytoplasmic expression of CD99 appears to be highly unique for SPPN

CONCLUSION

DPPHR should be considered in cases of SPPN in the pancreas head if there is no compromise with oncologic radicality.

Benign cystic neoplasm and endocrine tumours of the pancreas--when and how to operate--an overview

BACKGROUND

The recent evolution of limited local operative procedures for benign pancreatic lesions shifted surgical treatment options to the application of local techniques, although major resections of pancreatic head and left resection are still the standard.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the level of evidence of tumour enucleation (EN), pancreatic middle segment resection (PMSR) and duodenum preserving total/subtotal pancreatic head resection (DPPHRt/s), we focus based on present knowledge on indication to surgical treatment evaluating the questions, when and how to operate.

RESULTS

Tumour enucleation is recommended for all symptomatic neuro-endocrine tumours with size up to 2-3 cm and non-adherence to pancreatic main-ducts. EN has been applied predominantly in neuro-endocrine tumours and less frequently in cystic neoplasms. 20% of enucleation are performed as minimal invasive laparascopic procedure. Surgery related severe post-operative complications with the need of re-intervention are observed in about 11%, pancreatic fistula in 33%. The major advantage of EN are low procedure related early post-operative morbidity and a very low hospital mortality. PMSR is applied in two thirds for symptomatic cystic neoplasm and in one third for neuro-endocrine tumours. The high level of 33% pancreatic fistula and severe post-operative complications of 18% is related to management of proximal pancreatic stump. DPPHRt/s is used in 70% for symptomatic cystic neoplasms, for lesions with risk for malignancy and in less than 10% for neuro-endocrine tumours. DPPHRt with segment resection of peripapillary duodenum and intra-pancreatic common bile duct has been applied in one third of patients and in two thirds by complete preservation of duodenum and common bile duct. The level of evidence for EN and PMSR is low because of retrospective data evaluation and absence of RCT results. For DPPHR, 7 prospective, controlled studies underline the advantages compared to partial pancreaticoduodenectomy.

CONCLUSION

The application of tumour enucleation, pancreatic middle segment resection and duodenum preserving subtotal or total pancreatic head resection are associated with low level surgery related early post-operative complications and a very low hospital mortality. The major advantage of the limited procedures is preservation of exo- and endocrine pancreatic functions.

[Duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection : an organ-sparing operation technique for cystic neoplasms and non-invasive malignant tumors]

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are being detected and surgically treated increasingly more frequently. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN) are primary benign lesions; however, the 5-year risk for malignant transformation has been estimated to be 63 % and 15 %, respectively. Surgical extirpation of a benign cystic tumor of the pancreas is a cancer preventive measure. The duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection technique (DPPHRt) is being used more frequently for cystic neoplasms of the pancreatic head. The complete resection of the pancreatic head can be applied as a duodenum-preserving technique or with segmental resection of the peripapillary duodenum. Borderline lesions, carcinoma in situ or T1N0 cancer of the papilla and the peripapillary common bile duct are also considered to be indications for segmental resection of the peripapillary duodenum. A literature search for cystic neoplastic lesions and DPPHRt revealed the most frequent indications to be IPMN, MCN and SCA lesions and 28 % suffered from a cystic neoplasm with carcinoma in situ or a peripapillary malignoma. The hospital mortality rate was 0.52 %. Compared to the Whipple type resection the DPPHRt exhibits significant benefits with respect to a low risk for early postoperative complications and a low hospital mortality rate of < 1 %. Exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions after DPPHR are not impaired compared to the Whipple type resection.

Laparoscopic parenchyma-sparing pancreatectomy

In recent years laparoscopic pancreatic procedures have developed rapidly, and reports of laparoscopic resection including laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy have increased in number. On the other hand, many benign and low-grade malignant pancreatic lesions have recently been detected by the improved diagnostic modalities. Parenchyma-sparing pancreatectomy is a preferred surgical procedure for such benign and low-malignancy pancreatic lesions, because parenchyma-sparing pancreatectomy can avoid the unnecessary resection of the normal pancreatic parenchyma, thereby preserving the endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas. Simultaneously, laparoscopic surgery has contributed to minimally invasive approaches for various pancreatic surgical procedures. The combination of laparoscopic surgery and parenchyma-sparing pancreatectomy is an ideal surgical procedure for benign and low-grade malignant pancreatic lesions. For laparoscopic parenchyma-sparing pancreatectomy to become more widely known and its indications clarified, it is necessary to demonstrate the clinical benefits, technical feasibility, and safety of this complex and difficult surgical procedure.

Modified duodenum-preserving pancreas head resection for low-grade malignant lesion in the pancreatic head

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Our institution has utilized a duodenum-preserving pancreas head resection (DPPHR) procedure for management of low-grade malignant lesions within the head of the pancreas, but this has resulted in a higher rate of postoperative complications, including pancreatic fistula and ischemic bile duct injury. To avoid these complications we recently modified DPPHR to resect all the parenchyma around the pancreatic head and to preserve the epicholedochal plexus around the bile duct. The goal of this study was to investigate outcomes with postoperative complications and disease control following this modified procedure.

METHODS

Twenty-one consecutive patients underwent DPPHR between 1994 and 2011. Patients were retrospectively classified into one of two groups: the conventional DPPHR group (cDPPHR) or the modified DPPHR group (mDPPHR). Perioperative factors and postoperative complications were compared between these two groups.

RESULTS

The median age of the 21 patients was 61 (23-77) years, and the median follow-up period was 51 months. Intra-operational blood loss was significantly smaller and duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the mDPPHR group than in the cDPPHR group, respectively. The rate of pancreatic fistula was markedly lower in the mDPPHR group (2/13; 15%) than in the cDPPHR group (7/8; 88%) (P = 0.0022). For neoplastic lesions, the surgical margin was negative in all cases, and local recurrence has not occurred in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

For selected patients, modified DPPHR may provide clinical benefits in terms of less complications associated with shorter hospital stay.

Duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection for benign cystic neoplastic lesions

BACKGROUND

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are diagnosed frequently due to early use of abdominal imaging techniques. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, mucinous cystic neoplasm, and serous pseudopapillary neoplasia are considered pre-cancerous lesions because of frequent transformation to cancer. Complete surgical resection of the benign lesion is a pancreatic cancer preventive treatment.

OBJECTIVES

The application for a limited surgical resection for the benign lesions is increasingly used to reduce the surgical trauma with a short- and long-term benefit compared to major surgical procedures. Duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection introduced for inflammatory tumors in the pancreatic head transfers to the patient with a benign cystic lesion located in the pancreatic head, the advantages of a minimalized surgical treatment.

PATIENTS

Based on the experience of 17 patients treated for cystic neoplastic lesions with duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection, the surgical technique of total pancreatic head resection for adenoma, borderline tumors, and carcinoma in situ of cystic neoplasm is presented. A segmental resection of the peripapillary duodenum is recommended in case of suspected tissue ischemia of the peripapillary duodenum. In 305 patients, collected from the literature by PubMed search, in about 40% of the patients a segmental resection of the duodenum and 60% a duodenum and common bile duct-preserving total pancreatic head resection has been performed.

RESULTS

Hospital mortality of the 17 patients was 0%. In 305 patients collected, the hospital mortality was 0.65%, 13.2% experienced a delay of gastric emptying and a pancreatic fistula in 18.2%. Recurrence of the disease was 1.5%. Thirty-two of 175 patients had carcinoma in situ.

CONCLUSION

Duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection for benign cystic neoplastic lesions is a safe surgical procedure with low post-operative morbidity and mortality.

Laparoscopic resection of the uncinate process of the pancreas: the inframesocolic approach and hanging maneuver of the mesenteric root

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic pancreatic procedures have increased in recent years. However, only a single case of laparoscopic uncinatectomy has been reported to date, performed through an anterior approach. This video presents a hitherto undescribed laparoscopic inframesocolic approach and also an undescribed maneuver to expose the uncinate process.

METHODS

A 39-year-old women had a 16-mm insulinoma in the uncinate pancreas. The patient was placed in the supine position with legs apart. A 30º, 5-mm optic was used, and only a 12-mm trocar was needed. The first maneuver moved the major omentum and transverse colon upward to expose the mesenteric root. The duodenum was identified through the peritoneal sheath and mobilized. The superior mesenteric vein was identified and carefully exposed in the vicinity of the uncinate pancreas. To improve the exposure for the uncinatectomy, a hanging maneuver of the mesenteric root was performed with cotton tape. Intraoperative ultrasound identified the tumor and defined the limits of the resection. An inferior pancreaticoduodenal vein was sectioned between clips, and the uncinate process was dissected from the retropancreatic fascia. The transection was performed with a reinforced endostapler. The specimen was dragged into a bag and removed through the 12-mm orifice, which did not have to be enlarged. No drain was left.

RESULTS

The patient was discharged on postoperative day 3. No early or late surgical complications were observed. At this writing 1 year after the procedure, the patient has lost 35 kg and shows a normal body mass index. She remains asymptomatic with normal blood sugar levels.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic resection of the uncinate process of the pancreas is feasible and safe. The inframesocolic approach is easy to perform and achieves an optimal exposure that is improved with a hanging maneuver of the mesenteric root.

Immunosuppression following surgical and traumatic injury

Severe sepsis and organ failure are still the major causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality after major hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery. Despite recent progress in understanding the immune conditions of abdominal sepsis, the postoperative incidence of septic complications after major visceral surgery remains high. This review focuses on the clinical and immunological parameters that determine the risk of the development and lethal outcome of postoperative septic complication following major surgery and trauma. A review of the literature indicates that surgical and traumatic injury profoundly affects the innate and adaptive immune responses, and that a marked suppression in cell-mediated immunity following an excessive inflammatory response appears to be responsible for the increased susceptibility to subsequent sepsis. The innate and adaptive immune responses are initiated and modulated by pathogen-associated molecular-pattern molecules and by damage-associated molecular-pattern molecules through the pattern-recognition receptors. Suppression of cell-mediated immunity may be caused by multifaceted cytokine/inhibitor profiles in the circulation and other compartments of the host, excessive activation and dysregulated recruitment of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, induction of alternatively activated or regulatory macrophages that have anti-inflammatory properties, a shift in the T-helper (Th)1/Th2 balance toward Th2, appearance of regulatory T cells, which are potent suppressors of the innate and adaptive immune system, and lymphocyte apoptosis in patients with sepsis. Recent basic and clinical studies have elucidated the functional effects of surgical and traumatic injury on the immune system. The research studies of interest may in future aid in the selection of appropriate therapeutic protocols.