Independent predictors of secondary invasive pancreatic remnant tumors after initial resection of an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm: a nationwide large-scale survey in Japan

Novel Insights into Postoperative Surveillance in Resected Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms-A Review

Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCL) are frequently encountered in clinical practice and some are referred to surgery due to their neoplastic risk or malignant transformation. The management of PCL involves complex decision-making, with postoperative surveillance being a key component for long-term outcomes, due to the potential for recurrence and postoperative morbidity. Unfortunately, the follow-up of resected patients is far from being optimal and there is a lack of consensus on recommendations with regard to timing and methods of surveillance. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the postoperative surveillance of neoplastic pancreatic cysts, focusing on the mechanisms and risk factors for recurrence, the recurrence rates according to the initial indication for surgery, the final result of the surgical specimen and neoplastic risk in the remaining pancreas, as well as the postsurgical morbidity comprising pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, metabolic dysfunction and diabetes after resection, according to the type of surgery performed. We analyze postsurgical recurrence rates and morbidity profiles, as influenced by different surgical techniques, to better delineate at-risk patients, and highlight the need for tailored surveillance strategies adapted to preoperative and operative factors with an impact on outcomes.

Recurrence following Resection of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms: A Systematic Review to Guide Surveillance

Patients who undergo resection for non-invasive IPMN are at risk for long-term recurrence. Further evidence is needed to identify evidence-based surveillance strategies based on the risk of recurrence. We performed a systematic review of the current literature regarding recurrence patterns following resection of non-invasive IPMN to summarize evidence-based recommendations for surveillance. Among the 61 studies reviewed, a total of 8779 patients underwent resection for non-invasive IPMN. The pooled overall median follow-up time was 49.5 months (IQR: 38.5-57.7) and ranged between 14.1 months and 114 months. The overall median recurrence rate for patients with resected non-invasive IPMN was 8.8% (IQR: 5.0, 15.6) and ranged from 0% to 27.6%. Among the 33 studies reporting the time to recurrence, the overall median time to recurrence was 24 months (IQR: 17, 46). Existing literature on recurrence rates and post-resection surveillance strategies for patients with resected non-invasive IPMN varies greatly. Patients with resected non-invasive IPMN appear to be at risk for long-term recurrence and should undergo routine surveillance.

Propensity Score Matching Analysis of the Safety of Completion Total Pancreatectomy for Remnant Pancreatic Tumors Versus that of Initial Total Pancreatectomy for Primary Pancreatic Tumors

BACKGROUND

The safety and feasibility of completion total pancreatectomy (TP) for remnant pancreatic neoplasms remain controversial and are rarely compared with that of initial TP. Thus, we aimed to compare the safety of these two procedures inducing a pancreatic state.

METHODS

Patients who underwent TP for pancreatic neoplasms between 2006 and 2018 at our institution were included in this study. Tumor pathologies were classified into three subgroups according to survival curves. We used 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) to analyze age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and tumor stage. Finally, we analyzed the primary outcome Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC) grade, risks of other safety-related outcomes, and the survival rate of patients with invasive cancer.

RESULTS

Of 54 patients, 16 underwent completion TP (29.6%) and 38 (70.4%) underwent initial TP. Before PSM analysis, age and Charlson Comorbidity Index were significantly higher, and T category and stage were significantly lower for the completion TP group. Upon PSM analysis, these two groups were equivalent in CDC grade [initial TP vs. completion TP: 71.4% (10/14) vs. 78.6% (11/14); p = 0.678] and other safety-related outcomes. Additionally, while the overall survival and recurrence-free survival of patients with invasive cancer were not significantly different between these two groups, the T category and stage tended to be remarkably severe in the initial TP group.

CONCLUSIONS

PSM analysis for prognostic factors showed that completion TP and initial TP have similar safety-related outcomes that can be used as a decision-making reference in the surgery of pancreatic tumors.

Robotic pancreatectomy for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas: A large-scale study

BACKGROUND

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas is a mucin-producing tumor that develops from the epithelial lining of the main pancreatic duct or branch pancreatic ducts. Here, we assessed the feasibility and safety of various robotic pancreatectomy approaches to treating IPMN, and short- and long-term outcomes of robotic IPMN resection.

METHODS

Data from patients who underwent robotic pancreatectomy for IPMN between 2012 and 2019 at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The survival outcomes for patients were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 174 patients who underwent robotic pancreatectomy, 120 and 54 patients had benign or malignant tumors, respectively. Patients with malignant IPMN had lost more weight in the 6 months prior to surgery (P = .008), and a higher serum level of CA19-9 (P < .001) and CEA (P < .001). Postoperative pancreatic or biliary fistula occurred in 17 or 6 patients overall, respectively. The pathology of the IPMN (P = .030), tumor diameter (P = .016), mural nodule (P = .023), tumor capsule (P = .003) and CA19-9 (P = .024) values were all independent risk factors for survival. The median OS time after surgical resection for the malignant IPMN group was 29.0 months (range, 21.6-36.4). The OS was significantly different in patients with IPMN according to their different pathology, tumor capsule, mural nodule group, CA19-9 level, or tumor diameter.

CONCLUSIONS

This large-scale survey of 174 patients indicated that various robotic pancreatectomy approaches were feasible and safe for IPMN. Patients had an acceptable prognosis, indicating that robotic pancreatectomy represents a feasible potential therapeutic strategy for IPMN.