Novel Device for Pancreaticojejunostomy via a Pure Laparoscopic Approach

Novel Non-duct-to-Mucosa Pancreaticojejunostomy Reconstruction After Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Focus on the Occurrence of Post-pancreatectomy Hemorrhage and Intra-abdominal Abscess

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPFs) are considered inevitable in some patients after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), and measures to minimize their clinical impact are needed. Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) and intra-abdominal abscess (IAA) are the most severe POPF-related complications, and concomitant leakage of contaminated intestinal content is considered the main cause. An innovative method, modified non-duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy (TPJ), was created to prevent concomitant leakage of intestinal content, and its effectiveness was compared between two periods.

METHODS

All PD patients undergoing pancreaticojejunostomy from 2012 to 2021 were included. The TPJ group consisted of 529 patients recruited from January 2018 to December 2021. A total of 535 patients receiving the conventional method (CPJ) from January 2012 to June 2017 were used as a control group. PPH and POPF were defined according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery definition, but only PPH grade C was included for analysis. An IAA was defined as a collection of postoperative fluid managed by CT-guided drainage with documental culture.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the rate of POPF between the two groups (46.0% vs. 44.8%; p = 0.700). Furthermore, the percentages of bile in the drainage fluid in the TPJ and CPJ groups were 2.3% and 9.2%, respectively (p < 0.001). Lower proportions of PPH (0.9% vs. 6.5%; p < 0.001) and IAA (5.7% vs. 10.8%; p < 0.001) were observed for TPJ than for CPJ. On adjusted models, TPJ was significantly associated with a lower rate of PPH (odds ratio [OR] 0.132, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.051-0.343; p < 0.001) and IAA (OR 0.514, 95% CI 0.349-0.758; p = 0.001) than CPJ.

CONCLUSIONS

TPJ is feasible to be performed and is associated with a similar rate of POPF but a lower percentage of concomitant bile in the drainage fluid and subsequent rates of PPH and IAA than CPJ.

Blumgart method using LAPRA-TY clips facilitates pancreaticojejunostomy in laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy

The modified Blumgart method for pancreaticojejunostomy has been shown to reduce the rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) in open surgery. We describe a modified Blumgart method using LAPRA-TY suture clips to facilitate laparoscopic pancreaticojejunostomy.We prepared a double-armed 4-0 nonabsorbable monofilament, which was ligated using the LAPRA-TY clip at the tail end, 12-cm in length. Next, the U-suture was placed through the pancreatic stump and the seromuscular layer of the jejunum. We performed duct-to-mucosa suturing with a 5-0 absorbable monofilament. After completing the duct-to-mucosa suturing, as a final step we placed the sutures through the seromuscular layer of the jejunum on the ventral side and tightly secured the thread with the LAPRA-TY clips. We performed laparoscopic Blumgart pancreaticojejunostomy during pancreaticoduodenectomy in 39 patients. We compared the surgical outcomes of 19 patients who underwent Blumgart pancreaticojejunostomy using the LAPRA-TY clips (LAPRA-TY group) with 20 patients undergoing surgery not using the LAPRA-TY clips (conventional group).The rate of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula in the LAPRA-TY group was 21.1%, which did not differ significantly from the rate of the conventional group. However, the mean time of pancreaticojejunostomy in the LAPRA-TY group was 56.2 min (range, 39-79 min), which was significantly shorter than that of the conventional group (69.7 min; range, 53-105 min, P < .001).Although the modified Blumgart pancreaticojejunostomy using LAPRA-TY suture clips did not improve the pancreatic fistula rate, it allowed for shorter operative times. Thus, this procedure lends itself to positive surgical and patient outcomes.

Imbedding pancreaticojejunostomy used in pure laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy for nondilated pancreatic duct

BACKGROUND

LPD has been cautiously regarded as feasible and safe for resection and reconstruction. However, anastomosis of the remnant pancreas is still thought to be a critical obstacle to the dissemination of LPD in general practice. This study presents a new technique of pancreaticojejunostomy for nondilated pancreatic duct and evaluates its safety and reliability.

METHODS

From July 2014 to June 2015, a total of 52 patients underwent LPD with the new technique. A modified technique of duct-to-mucosa PJ was performed with transpancreatic interlocking mattress sutures, named the imbedding duct-to-mucosa PJ. Then the morbidity and mortality was calculated.

RESULTS

This technique was applied in 52 patients after LPD all with nondilated pancreatic duct (1-3 mm). The mean operation time was 4.6 h (range, 3.5-8.3 h) and the median time for the anastomosis was 37 min (range, 24-53 min). Operative mortality was zero, and morbidity was 21.2 % (n = 11), including hemorrhage (n = 3, 5.8 %), biliary fistula (n = 1, 1.9 %), pulmonary infection (n = 1, 1.9 %), delayed gastric emptying (n = 2, 3.8 %), abdominal abscess caused by biliary fistula or PF formation (n = 2, 3.8 %), and POPF (n = 2, 3.8 %). Two patients developed a pancreatic fistula (one type A, one type B) classified according to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula.

CONCLUSIONS

The described technique is a simple and safe reconstruction procedure after LPD, especially for patients with nondilated pancreatic duct.

Systemic Review of the Feasibility and Advantage of Minimally Invasive Pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (MIPD), which includes laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) and robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD), is a complex procedure that needs to be performed by experienced surgeons. However, the safety and oncologic performance have not yet been conclusively determined.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed using the Embase, Medline, and PubMed databases to identify all studies published up to March 2015. Articles written in English containing the keywords: "pancreaticoduodenectomy" or "Whipple operation" combined with "laparoscopy," "laparoscopic," "robotic," "da vinci," or "minimally invasive surgery" were selected. Furthermore, to increase the power of evidence, articles describing more than ten MIPDs were selected for this review.

RESULTS

Twenty-six articles matched the review criteria. A total of 780 LPDs and 248 RPDs were included in the current review. The overall conversion rate to open surgery was 9.1 %. The weighted average operative time was 422.6 min, and the weighted average blood loss was 321.1 mL. The weighted average number of harvested lymph nodes was 17.1, and the rate of microscopically positive tumor margins was 8.4 %. The cumulative morbidity was 35.9 %, and a pancreatic fistula was reported in 17.0 % of cases. The average length of hospital stay was 12.4 days, and the mortality rate was 2.2 %.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, after reviewing one-thousand cases in the current literature, we conclude that MIPD offers a good perioperative, postoperative, and oncologic outcome. MIPD is feasible and safe in well-selected patients.

Laparoscopic pancreatic reconstruction technique following laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy

With the advance of laparoscopic experiences and techniques, it is carefully regarded that laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (lap-PD) is feasible and safe in managing perimapullary pancreatic pathology. Especially, laparoscopic management of remnant pancreas can be a critical step toward completeness of minimally invasive PD. According to available published reports, there is a wide range of technical differences in choosing surgical options in managing remnant pancreas after lap-PD. For the evidence-based surgical approach, it would be ideal to test potential techniques by randomized controlled trials, but, currently, it is thought to be very difficult to expect those clinical trials to be successful because there are still a lack of expert surgeons with sound surgical techniques and experience. In addition, lap-PD is so complicated and technically demanding that many surgeons are still questioning whether this surgical approach could be standardized and popular like laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In general, surgical options are usually chosen based on following question: (1) Is it simple? (2) Is it easy and feasible? (3) Is it secure and safe? (4) Is there any supporting scientific evidence? It would be interesting to estimate which surgical technique would be appropriate in managing remnant pancreas under these considerations. It is hoped that a well standardized multicenter-based randomized control study would be successful to test this fundamental issues based on sound surgical techniques and scientific background.