Refining the role of laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound in the staging of presumed pancreatic head and ampullary tumours

The Additional Value of Laparoscopic Ultrasound to Staging Laparoscopy in Patients with Suspected Pancreatic Head Cancer

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the additional value of laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS) to staging laparoscopy (SL) for detecting occult liver metastases in patients with potentially resectable pancreatic head cancer.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed including all patients who underwent SL and LUS between 2005 and 2016. LUS was performed during SL to detect liver metastases not found by preoperative imaging or visual inspection of the liver.

RESULTS

Out of 197 patients, visual inspection during SL detected distant metastases in 29 (14.7%) patients. LUS was performed in 127 patients, revealing 3 additional liver metastases. The proportion of patients with unresectable disease after SL and negative LUS was 32.3%, which was similar to 36.6% of patients with unresectable disease after SL without LUS (difference 4.3%; 95% CI - 13-23%; P = 0.61). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of LUS to detect liver metastases were 30, 100, 100, and 94%, respectively. The proportion of patients with distant metastases diagnosed at SL significantly increased over time (P = 0.031).

CONCLUSION

The routine use of LUS during SL for patients with potentially resectable pancreatic head cancer cannot be recommended. Imaging should be repeated when significant delay occurs between index CT and the scheduled surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery for pancreatic neoplasms: the European association for endoscopic surgery clinical consensus conference

BACKGROUND

Introduced more than 20 years ago, laparoscopic pancreatic surgery (LAPS) has not reached a uniform acceptance among HPB surgeons. As a result, there is no consensus regarding its use in patients with pancreatic neoplasms. This study, organized by the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES), aimed to develop consensus statements and clinical recommendations on the application of LAPS in these patients.

METHODS

An international panel of experts was selected based on their clinical and scientific expertise in laparoscopic and open pancreatic surgery. Each panelist performed a critical appraisal of the literature and prepared evidence-based statements assessed by other panelists during Delphi process. The statements were further discussed during a one-day face-to-face meeting followed by the second round of Delphi. Modified statements were presented at the plenary session of the 24th International Congress of the EAES in Amsterdam and in a web-based survey.

RESULTS

LAPS included laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP), pancreatoduodenectomy (LPD), enucleation, central pancreatectomy, and ultrasound. In general, LAPS was found to be safe, especially in experienced hands, and also advantageous over an open approach in terms of intraoperative blood loss, postoperative recovery, and quality of life. Eighty-five percent or higher proportion of responders agreed with the majority (69.5%) of statements. However, the evidence is predominantly based on retrospective case-control studies and systematic reviews of these studies, clearly affected by selection bias. Furthermore, no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been published to date, although four RCTs are currently underway in Europe.

CONCLUSIONS

LAPS is currently in its development and exploration stages, as defined by the international IDEAL framework for surgical innovation. LDP is feasible and safe, performed in many centers, while LPD is limited to few centers. RCTs and registry studies are essential to proceed with the assessment of LAPS.

Diagnostic accuracy of laparoscopy following computed tomography (CT) scanning for assessing the resectability with curative intent in pancreatic and periampullary cancer

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment for pancreatic and periampullary cancer. A considerable proportion of patients undergo unnecessary laparotomy because of underestimation of the extent of the cancer on computed tomography (CT) scanning. Laparoscopy can detect metastases not visualised on CT scanning, enabling better assessment of the spread of cancer (staging of cancer). This is an update to a previous Cochrane Review published in 2013 evaluating the role of diagnostic laparoscopy in assessing the resectability with curative intent in people with pancreatic and periampullary cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of diagnostic laparoscopy performed as an add-on test to CT scanning in the assessment of curative resectability in pancreatic and periampullary cancer.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE via OvidSP (from inception to 15 May 2016), and Science Citation Index Expanded (from 1980 to 15 May 2016).

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included diagnostic accuracy studies of diagnostic laparoscopy in people with potentially resectable pancreatic and periampullary cancer on CT scan, where confirmation of liver or peritoneal involvement was by histopathological examination of suspicious (liver or peritoneal) lesions obtained at diagnostic laparoscopy or laparotomy. We accepted any criteria of resectability used in the studies. We included studies irrespective of language, publication status, or study design (prospective or retrospective). We excluded case-control studies.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently performed data extraction and quality assessment using the QUADAS-2 tool. The specificity of diagnostic laparoscopy in all studies was 1 because there were no false positives since laparoscopy and the reference standard are one and the same if histological examination after diagnostic laparoscopy is positive. The sensitivities were therefore meta-analysed using a univariate random-effects logistic regression model. The probability of unresectability in people who had a negative laparoscopy (post-test probability for people with a negative test result) was calculated using the median probability of unresectability (pre-test probability) from the included studies, and the negative likelihood ratio derived from the model (specificity of 1 assumed). The difference between the pre-test and post-test probabilities gave the overall added value of diagnostic laparoscopy compared to the standard practice of CT scan staging alone.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 16 studies with a total of 1146 participants in the meta-analysis. Only one study including 52 participants had a low risk of bias and low applicability concern in the patient selection domain. The median pre-test probability of unresectable disease after CT scanning across studies was 41.4% (that is 41 out of 100 participants who had resectable cancer after CT scan were found to have unresectable disease on laparotomy). The summary sensitivity of diagnostic laparoscopy was 64.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 50.1% to 76.6%). Assuming a pre-test probability of 41.4%, the post-test probability of unresectable disease for participants with a negative test result was 0.20 (95% CI 0.15 to 0.27). This indicates that if a person is said to have resectable disease after diagnostic laparoscopy and CT scan, there is a 20% probability that their cancer will be unresectable compared to a 41% probability for those receiving CT alone.A subgroup analysis of people with pancreatic cancer gave a summary sensitivity of 67.9% (95% CI 41.1% to 86.5%). The post-test probability of unresectable disease after being considered resectable on both CT and diagnostic laparoscopy was 18% compared to 40.0% for those receiving CT alone.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Diagnostic laparoscopy may decrease the rate of unnecessary laparotomy in people with pancreatic and periampullary cancer found to have resectable disease on CT scan. On average, using diagnostic laparoscopy with biopsy and histopathological confirmation of suspicious lesions prior to laparotomy would avoid 21 unnecessary laparotomies in 100 people in whom resection of cancer with curative intent is planned.

Indications for staging laparoscopy in pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

To identify indications for staging laparoscopy (SL) in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, and suggest a pre-operative algorithm for staging these patients.

METHODS

Relevant articles were reviewed from the published literature using the Medline database. The search was performed using the keywords 'pancreatic cancer', 'resectability', 'staging', 'laparoscopy', and 'Whipple's procedure'.

RESULTS

Twenty four studies were identified which fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of the published data, the most reliable surrogate markers for selecting patients for SL to predict unresectability in patients with CT defined resectable pancreatic cancer were CA 19.9 and tumour size. Although there are studies suggesting a role for tumour location, CEA levels, and clinical findings such as weight loss and jaundice, there is currently not enough evidence for these variables to predict resectability. Based on the current data, patients with a CT suggestive of resectable disease and (1) CA 19.9 ≥150 U/mL; or (2) tumour size >3 cm should be considered for SL.

CONCLUSION

The role of laparoscopy in the staging of pancreatic cancer patients remains controversial. Potential predictors of unresectability to select patients for SL include CA 19.9 levels and tumour size.

PET/CT Fusion Scan Prevents Futile Laparotomy in Early Stage Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection with negative margins is the only curative approach for pancreatic cancer. A paucity of data exists in using PET/CT scan as staging workup in resectable pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study is to determine if PET/CT prevents futile laparotomy by detecting occult metastatic disease in patients with resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

Patients were included using institutional PET/CT data base incorporating National Oncologic PET Registry with diagnosis of resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer from 2005 to 2012. Clinical, radiographic, and pathologic characteristics were evaluated. The impact of PET/CT on patient management was estimated by calculating the percentage of patients whose treatment plan was altered secondary to PET/CT.

RESULTS

We identified 285 patients with early stage pancreatic cancer who received PET/CT as part of initial staging workup. Upon initial workup (CT + EUS), 62% of patients were considered resectable, and 38% were borderline resectable. Addition of PET/CT scan changed the management in 10.9% (n = 31) of the patients (95% CI, 8%-15%). Metastatic lesions were confirmed with biopsy in 19 patients (61%). The proportion of change in treatment plan was significantly higher in patients who were initially considered to have borderline resectable compared with resectable malignancy (17% vs 7%, P = 0.019). In 199 patients who underwent surgery, 18.1% (n = 36) were found to have metastatic disease intraoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

PET/CT helped improve detection of occult metastases, ultimately sparing these patients a potentially unnecessary surgery. The role of PET/CT scan should be validated in prospective study.

Current and future intraoperative imaging strategies to increase radical resection rates in pancreatic cancer surgery

Prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer is poor. Even the small minority that undergoes resection with curative intent has low 5-year survival rates. This may partly be explained by the high number of irradical resections, which results in local recurrence and impaired overall survival. Currently, ultrasonography is used during surgery for resectability assessment and frozen-section analysis is used for assessment of resection margins in order to decrease the number of irradical resections. The introduction of minimal invasive techniques in pancreatic surgery has deprived surgeons from direct tactile information. To improve intraoperative assessment of pancreatic tumor extension, enhanced or novel intraoperative imaging technologies accurately visualizing and delineating cancer cells are necessary. Emerging modalities are intraoperative near-infrared fluorescence imaging and freehand nuclear imaging using tumor-specific targeted contrast agents. In this review, we performed a meta-analysis of the literature on laparoscopic ultrasonography and we summarized and discussed current and future intraoperative imaging modalities and their potential for improved tumor demarcation during pancreatic surgery.

Diagnostic accuracy of laparoscopy following computed tomography (CT) scanning for assessing the resectability with curative intent in pancreatic and periampullary cancer

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment for pancreatic and periampullary cancer. A considerable proportion of patients undergo unnecessary laparotomy because of underestimation of the extent of the cancer on computed tomography (CT) scanning. Laparoscopy can detect metastases not visualised on CT scanning, enabling better assessment of the spread of cancer (staging of cancer). There has been no systematic review or meta-analysis assessing the role of diagnostic laparoscopy in assessing the resectability with curative intent in patients with pancreatic and periampullary cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of diagnostic laparoscopy performed as an add-on test to CT scanning in the assessment of curative resectability in pancreatic and periampullary cancer.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Register of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE via OvidSP (from inception to 13 September 2012), and Science Citation Index Expanded (from 1980 to 13 September 2012).

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included diagnostic accuracy studies of diagnostic laparoscopy in patients with potentially resectable pancreatic and periampullary cancer on CT scan, where confirmation of liver or peritoneal involvement was by histopathological examination of suspicious (liver or peritoneal) lesions obtained at diagnostic laparoscopy or laparotomy. We accepted any criteria of resectability used in the studies. We included studies irrespective of language, publication status, or study design (prospective or retrospective). We excluded case-control studies.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently performed data extraction and quality assessment using the QUADAS-2 tool. The specificity of diagnostic laparoscopy in all studies was 1 because there were no false positives since laparoscopy and the reference standard are one and the same if histological examination after diagnostic laparoscopy is positive. Therefore, the sensitivities were meta-analysed using a univariate random-effects logistic regression model. The probability of unresectability in patients who had a negative laparoscopy (post-test probability for patients with a negative test result) was calculated using the median probability of unresectability (pre-test probability) from the included studies and the negative likelihood ratio derived from the model (specificity of 1 assumed). The difference between the pre-test and post-test probabilities gave the overall added value of diagnostic laparoscopy compared to the standard practice of CT scan staging alone.

MAIN RESULTS

Fifteen studies with a total of 1015 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Only one study including 52 patients had a low risk of bias and low applicability concern in the patient selection domain. The median pre-test probability of unresectable disease after CT scanning across studies was 40.3% (that is 40 out of 100 patients who had resectable cancer after CT scan were found to have unresectable disease on laparotomy). The summary sensitivity of diagnostic laparoscopy was 68.7% (95% CI 54.3% to 80.2%). Assuming a pre-test probability of 40.3%, the post-test probability of unresectable disease for patients with a negative test result was 0.17 (95% CI 0.12 to 0.24). This indicates that if a patient is said to have resectable disease after diagnostic laparoscopy and CT scan, there is a 17% probability that their cancer will be unresectable compared to a 40% probability for those receiving CT alone.A subgroup analysis of patients with pancreatic cancer gave a summary sensitivity of 67.9% (95% CI 41.1% to 86.5%). The post-test probability of unresectable disease after being considered resectable on both CT and diagnostic laparoscopy was 18% compared to 40% for those receiving CT alone.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Diagnostic laparoscopy may decrease the rate of unnecessary laparotomy in patients with pancreatic and periampullary cancer found to have resectable disease on CT scan. On average, using diagnostic laparoscopy with biopsy and histopathological confirmation of suspicious lesions prior to laparotomy would avoid 23 unnecessary laparotomies in 100 patients in whom resection of cancer with curative intent is planned.

Pancreatic surgery: a multidisciplinary assessment of the value of intraoperative US

PURPOSE

To assess the value of intraoperative ultrasonography (US) for different types of pancreatic surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An institutional review board-approved, HIPAA-compliant retrospective review with waiver of informed consent was performed to evaluate all cases of pancreatic surgery with intraoperative US or laparoscopic US that occurred at a single institution during a 10-year period. Surgical notes, radiologic images, and clinical data for each surgical procedure and subsequent clinical course were reviewed by pancreatic surgeons and radiologists. Presumptive diagnosis, type of surgical procedure performed, and final pathologic data were recorded. A relative value score was established by consensus and assigned to each case with a grade of 0-3, which indicated the value of the intraoperative or laparoscopic US. The type of operation and pathologic data were compared in each of the value score groups. Categoric variables were compared by using either χ(2) or Fisher exact test.

RESULTS

One hundred ninety-three intraoperative or laparoscopic US procedures were performed in 189 patients. Of the patients, there were 102 men and 87 women. The mean age was 57.8 years (range, 18-86 years). Intraoperative or laparoscopic US value scores were as follows: value score 0, 3.6%; value score 1, 11.9%; value score 2, 31.1%; and value score 3, 53.4%. The most common contribution that resulted in a high score (value score 3) was facilitation of technical performance of the surgery (n = 60). High value score was significantly associated with performance of pancreatitis-related surgery (P < .001). The surgical indication that most commonly resulted in a low value score of 0 or 1 was staging of pancreatic cancers. All cases that received a score of 0 occurred in the laparoscopic adenocarcinoma surgical setting (staging or pancreatic biopsy).

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative or laparoscopic US can be a valuable procedure in multiple types of surgical procedures that involve the pancreas and shows clear patterns of value in the different types of surgery.

Improving the diagnostic yield from staging laparoscopy for periampullary malignancies: the value of preoperative inflammatory markers and radiological tumor size

OBJECTIVES

The role of laparoscopy in staging periampullary malignancies is to detect small-volume metastatic disease not visible on preoperative imaging. Owing to improvements in preoperative imaging, some centers no longer undertake routine laparoscopic staging, whereas others still find it a useful pre-exploration tool.

METHODS

This study investigated the diagnostic yield of staging laparoscopies in 137 consecutive potentially resectable patients with periampullary malignancies. Serology on presentation, tumor size on computed tomography and proinflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, and Glasgow Prognostic Score were also examined to see if they were able to identify patients more likely to benefit from staging laparoscopy.

RESULTS

Laparoscopy identified occult disease in 16.1% of the patients. Only tumor diameter on cross-sectional imaging was related to an increase in diagnostic yield on staging laparoscopy. Area-under-curve values for tumor size and occult disease at laparoscopy were 0.8, with P = 0.0001.

CONCLUSION

Staging laparoscopy is a useful adjunct to computed tomography in staging periampullary cancers. Tumor size (especially >45 mm) is the only preoperative marker predictive of unexpected occult disease and may be used to select high-risk patients for laparoscopic staging.

Critical analysis of hot topics in NOTES

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has gained a great deal of attention from gastroenterologists and surgeons all over the world since its introduction in 2000. The field of NOTES has advanced tremendously since that time and exciting and well-designed research has been reported. Both randomized controlled trials and results from large national and international registries have been published. Many experimental and clinical studies have discussed transesophageal, transgastric, transvaginal and transrectal access for a variety of NOTES procedures. Transvaginal access has been the most frequently reported NOTES access route in clinical trials. When suitable instruments become available, a true comparison of NOTES with current laparoscopic approaches can be realized.

Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Since its introduction in 2000, natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has gained a great deal of attention from gastroenterologists and surgeons all over the world. In this article, we will review the progress in the field of NOTES and present the latest publications that provide some answers and solutions to the barriers suggested by the Natural Orifice Surgery Consortium for Assessment and Research white paper.

RECENT FINDINGS

Because of the first human NOTES procedure by Rao and Reddy, more pioneering procedures, including transgastric and transvaginal cholecystectomies, appendectomies, and hernia repairs, have been performed. Although NOTES researchers continue to experiment with new innovative equipment and procedures in the lab, more structured work, including randomized controlled trials, has been published.

SUMMARY

In the last several years, there has been growing interest in NOTES, which has translated into exciting animal research work and publication of randomized controlled trials. Additionally, preliminary NOTES human procedures have been successfully performed. When suitable instruments become available, the subsequent step should be comparing NOTES with current laparoscopic approaches. Superiority or even equality of NOTES to laparoscopic surgery would be the best argument for advancing and integrating implementation into clinical practice.

Is there still a role for laparoscopy combined with laparoscopic ultrasonography in the staging of pancreatic cancer?

PURPOSE

This study was designed to compare our laparoscopic ultrasonography (LUS) experience in the resectability evaluation of pancreatic or periampullary cancers (PAC) in two different periods: before and after the introduction of multidetector CT (MDCT).

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 104 CT-resectable patients with PAC. During Step 1 (1995-1999), we performed LUS on all patients, whereas during Step 2 (2002-2007), LUS was performed selectively according to Pisters' criteria.

RESULTS

LUS was satisfactorily performed in all cases. At Step 1 accuracy of LUS in predicting pancreatic resectability was high (96%) but it was markedly lower in a subgroup of patients with close contact between tumor and portal vein (sensibility of 57%). At Step 2, selective LUS was performed on 9 of 64 patients (14%). LUS confirmed the MDCT finding of unresectability in 8 of 9 cases, and allowed curative resection in 1 case. Only 1 of 55 of the patients who did not undergo LUS would have benefited from the procedure. The yield of LUS decreased from 45% before to 1.8% after MDCT.

CONCLUSIONS

In resectable-MDCT patients, routine LUS is unjustified. However, in doubtful MDCT cases, LUS has yet a good yield. In the event of close vascular contact, neither MDCT nor LUS seem to be conclusive, and laparotomy is still the only solution.

The role of laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound in the preoperative staging of pancreatico-biliary cancers--A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Staging laparoscopy (SL) may prevent non-therapeutic laparotomy in patients with otherwise resectable pancreatico-biliary cancers, but evidence is inconclusive. This meta-analysis aims to ascertain the true benefit of SL.

METHODS

All studies undertaking SL as a diagnostic sieve were included and data homogenised. Standard meta-analytical tools with emphasis on sensitivity testing and meta-regression to detect the cause for heterogeneity between studies were used.

RESULTS

29 studies satisfied the criteria. 3305 patients underwent SL of which 12 were incomplete. Morbidity (n = 15) and mortality (n = 1) was low. True yield of SL for pancreatic/perpancreatic cancers (PPC) was 25% (95% CI 24-27) with a Diagnostic Odds Ratio (DOR) of 104 (95% CI 48-227). Resection rate improved from 61% to 80%. For proximal biliary cancers (PBC), SL increased the curative resection rate from 27% to 50%, with true yield of 47% (95% CI 42-52) and a DOR 61 (95% CI 19-189). Sub-group analysis for detection of liver and peritoneal lesions demonstrated a sensitivity of 88% (95% CI 83-92) and 92% (95% CI 84-96) for PPC; 83% (95% CI 69-92) and 93% (95% CI 81-99) for PBC, respectively. There was no between-study heterogeneity for peritoneal lesions. However for detection of local invasion, sensitivity was low: 58% (95% CI 51-65) for PPC and only 34% (95% CI 22-47) for PBC. Meta-regression did not reveal any cause for the observed heterogeneity between studies.

CONCLUSION

SL offers significant benefit to patients with resectable pancreatico-biliary cancers in avoiding non-therapeutic laparotomy and should be adopted in routine clinical practice in a judicious algorithm.

Comparison of Transgastric NOTES and laparoscopic peritoneoscopy for detection of peritoneal metastases

BACKGROUND

Transgastric peritoneoscopy (TGP) may be a future alternative to the diagnostic laparoscopy (LAP).

OBJECTIVE

To create a model of peritoneal metastases for development of TGP and to employ this model to compare TGP to LAP.

METHODS

Small beads were stapled in porcine peritoneal cavities to simulate metastases. Using a noninferiority design a sample size of 64 beads was determined, which were divided over 12 animals. Randomization was performed for number and location of beads. LAP was performed by one of 2 blinded surgeons. TGP was then performed in the same pig using either standard endoscopic accessories (TGP-s) or a specially designed toolkit (TGP-t) in randomized order by 1 of 2 blinded endoscopists. Primary outcome was number of beads found and touched during peritoneoscopy.

RESULTS

Locations of beads included: abdominal peritoneum (14 beads), diaphragm (11), surface of liver and hepatoduodenal ligament (32), and miscellaneous sites (7). LAP detected 61 beads (yield = 95%), TGP-s 40 beads (63%), and TGP-t 40 beads (63%). TGP-s and TGP-t were both inferior in comparison with LAP (P = 0.8465 and P = 0.7440 respectively). TGP-s and TGP-t were similar in number, distribution and time to detect beads. TGP was superior for detecting beads on the abdominal and diaphragmatic peritoneum than for the liver, namely TGP-s: 23/25 (92%) versus 12/32 (38%) (P < 0.001); TGP-t: 25/25 (100%) versus 11/32 (34%) (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In this first prospective, blinded, comparative trial TGP was inferior to LAP for the detection of simulated metastases. Future development for NOTES peritoneoscopy should focus on improved access to the region of the liver and enhanced endoscopic optics and performance.

Feasibility of transgastric and transcolonic natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery peritoneoscopy combined with intraperitoneal EUS

BACKGROUND

If natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) peritoneoscopy is to become an alternative to diagnostic laparoscopy, NOTES peritoneoscopy must be comparable to laparoscopy in its diagnostic accuracy.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the feasibility of transgastric (TG) and transcolonic (TC) NOTES peritoneoscopy combined with intraperitoneal EUS.

DESIGN

Twelve nonsurvival experiments on 6 female pigs.

SETTING

Animal laboratory.

PATIENTS

Six 35- to 40-kg female pigs.

INTERVENTIONS

Randomization was performed to determine the order of approach (TG or TC as first procedure). After peritoneal access, systematic peritoneoscopy was performed according to a preassessed list of 12 locations considered clinically important. For each visualized location, 1 point was scored and 1 point added if it was touched as well, leading to a maximum score of 24 points. Subsequently, the endoscope was exchanged for a linear EUS-scope. The percentage of visualization of the 4 sections of the liver was recorded (0, not visible; 1, 33%; 2, 66%; 3, 100%; maximum score, 12 points). After withdrawal, the protocol was repeated by using the second natural orifice (TG or TC).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Extent of adequate visualization of diagnostic peritoneoscopy and intraperitoneal EUS measured by a preassessed record form.

RESULTS

Access was achieved without difficulties at all 12 sites. TG peritoneoscopy resulted in a median of 23 points (range 20-24) via the TC approach. A maximum of 24 points was recorded in all pigs (P = .102). TG-EUS resulted in a median of 11 points (range 6-12) and TC-EUS in a median of 12 points (range 8-12) (P = .317).

LIMITATION

Lack of objective landmarks for EUS.

CONCLUSIONS

TG and TC NOTES peritoneoscopy combined with intraperitoneal EUS is technically feasible. Furthermore, NOTES peritoneoscopy and intraperitoneal EUS seem to result in adequate visualization of the peritoneal cavity and liver, respectively.

Evolving preoperative evaluation of patients with pancreatic cancer: does laparoscopy have a role in the current era?

BACKGROUND

Recent years have brought important developments in preoperative imaging and use of laparoscopic staging of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC). There are few data about the optimal combination of preoperative studies to accurately identify resectable patients.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a statewide review of all patients with surgically managed PAC from 1996 to 2003 using data from the Oregon State Cancer Registry, augmented with clinical information from primary medical record review. We documented the use of all staging modalities, including CT, endoscopic ultrasonography, and laparoscopy. Primary outcomes included resection with curative intent. The association between staging modalities, clinical features, and resection was measured using a multivariate logistic regression model.

RESULTS

There were 298 patients from 24 hospitals who met the eligibility criteria. Patients were staged using a combination of CT (98%), laparoscopy (29%), and endoscopic ultrasonography (32%). The overall proportion of patients who went to surgical exploration and were resected was 87%. Of patients undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy, metastatic disease that precluded resection was discovered in 24 (27.6%). For patients who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and were not resected, vascular invasion was the most common determinant of unresectability (56.6%). In multivariate analysis, preoperative weight loss and surgeon decision to use laparoscopy predicted unresectability at laparotomy.

CONCLUSIONS

This population-based study demonstrates that surgeons appear to use laparoscopy in a subset of patients at high risk for metastatic disease. The combination of current staging techniques is associated with a high proportion of resectability for patients taken to surgical exploration. With current imaging modalities, selective application of laparoscopy with a dual-phase CT scan as the cornerstone of staging is a sound clinical approach to evaluate pancreatic cancer patients for potential resectability.

Staging for locally advanced pancreatic cancer

AIM

To address the role of a dedicated radiologist and high quality CT scanning in staging of patients referred with suspected locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, the value of laparoscopy in detecting CT-occult metastases in these patients was assessed.

METHODS

In a prospective cohort study, 116 patients with suspected unresectable pancreatic cancer referred from peripheral hospitals (107) or our own gastroenterology department (9) were analysed. CT scans from referral centres were reviewed and in case of locally advanced disease or uncertain metastatic disease, patients underwent a laparoscopy to detect CT-occult metastases. Patients without metastases were offered 5-FU based chemoradiotherapy.

RESULTS

After reviewing 107 abdominal CT scans from referral centres, 73 (68%) scans had to be repeated due to unacceptable quality. Locally advanced disease was confirmed in 59 (55%) patients and metastatic disease was found in 24 patients (22%). During laparoscopy, metastases were found in 24/68 (35%) patients with locally advanced disease on CT scan and metastases were confirmed in 3/5 (60%) with suspected metastases. Overall, only 46/116 (40%) patients with suspected unresectable disease appeared to have locally advanced pancreatic cancer after adequate staging including laparoscopy in our centre.

CONCLUSION

Correct staging is difficult in patients with suspected locally advanced pancreatic cancer and should preferably be performed in centres with technically advanced equipment and experienced radiologists. Laparoscopy should be offered to patients before locoregional therapy.

Carbohydrate antigen 19.9 accurately selects patients for laparoscopic assessment to determine resectability of pancreatic malignancy

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography (L-LUS) may be useful in the selection of patients for surgery to resect peripancreatic malignancy in addition to contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT). The present prospective study assessed the strategy of using carbohydrate antigen 19.9 (CA19.9) levels to select patients for L-LUS.

METHODS

Patients with suspected peripancreatic malignancy that appeared resectable on CE-CT were selected for immediate surgery if CA19.9 was low (up to 150 kU/l, or up to 300 kU/l if serum bilirubin was above 35 micromol/l), or to L-LUS if CA19.9 was high (over 150 kU/l, or over 300 kU/l if serum bilirubin was above 35 micromol/l). Data were assessed to determine the clinical utility of this strategy.

RESULTS

A total of 94 patients went straight to surgery, of whom 65 proved resectable: 63 of 80 with a low CA19.9 level but only two of 14 with a high CA19.9 level and gastric outlet obstruction. From 55 patients with high CA19.9 levels, L-LUS correctly identified 26 of 31 resectable tumours and eight of 24 unresectable tumours.

CONCLUSION

Using CA19.9 levels to help select patients with pancreatic malignancy for immediate surgery or L-LUS for further assessment of resectability effectively increased resection rates and reduced unnecessary laparotomies.

The platelet-lymphocyte ratio improves the predictive value of serum CA19-9 levels in determining patient selection for staging laparoscopy in suspected periampullary cancer

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to identify whether the preoperative platelet-lymphocyte (P/L) ratio might improve the predictive value of CA19-9 levels in stratifying a patient group with suspected periampullary malignancy who do not require staging laparoscopy.

METHODS

Patients with suspected periampullary cancer were identified from a prospectively maintained 10-year database. Only patients with resectable disease who underwent staging laparoscopy and subsequent laparotomy were included. Low-risk groups were stratified using a CA19-9 cutoff value of < or = 150 kU/l (or < or = 300 kU/l in patients with a concurrent bilirubin concentration > 35 micromol/l) and a P/L ratio value of < or = 150.

RESULTS

From 263 patients, preoperative CA19-9 levels and P/L ratios were available in 216 and 225 patients, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values for resectability, sensitivity, and specificity for CA19-9 levels < or = 150 kU/l were 83%, 36%, 51%, and 73%, respectively. For P/L ratios < or = 150, these levels were 81%, 38%, 51%, and 72%, respectively. When combining the requirement for both CA19-9 levels and P/L ratios to be < or = 150 (n = 38 out of 183), both positive predictive value (95%) and specificity (96%) were improved (Fisher exact test, P =.065 and P < .001, respectively); 21% of laparoscopies were avoidable when using these criteria. Increasing T stage (P = .005), vascular invasion (P < .001), perineural invasion (P = .008), and resection margin involvement (P < .001) were all associated with greater preoperative P/L ratios in resected periampullary adenocarcinoma (n = 204).

CONCLUSIONS

The preoperative P/L ratio reflects an index of tumor invasiveness and merits prospective evaluation as an adjunct to CA19-9 in determining the requirement for laparoscopic staging in patients with potentially resectable periampullary malignancy.

3-D ultrasound guidance of surgical robotics: a feasibility study

Laparoscopic ultrasound has seen increased use as a surgical aide in general, gynecological, and urological procedures. The application of real-time, three-dimensional (RT3D) ultrasound to these laparoscopic procedures may increase information available to the surgeon and serve as an additional intraoperative guidance tool. The integration of RT3D with recent advances in robotic surgery also can increase automation and ease of use. In this study, a 1-cm diameter probe for RT3D has been used laparoscopically for in vivo imaging of a canine. The probe, which operates at 5 MHz, was used to image the spleen, liver, and gall bladder as well as to guide surgical instruments. Furthermore, the three-dimensional (3-D) measurement system of the volumetric scanner used with this probe was tested as a guidance mechanism for a robotic linear motion system in order to simulate the feasibility of RT3D/robotic surgery integration. Using images acquired with the 3-D laparoscopic ultrasound device, coordinates were acquired by the scanner and used to direct a robotically controlled needle toward desired in vitro targets as well as targets in a post-mortem canine. The rms error for these measurements was 1.34 mm using optical alignment and 0.76 mm using ultrasound alignment.

Staginglaparoskopie in der Onkologie

The availability of more treatment options for gastrointestinal cancer requires precise and reliable pretherapeutic staging. Despite impressive technical progress in modern imaging procedures, this high level of staging quality is not yet warranted in all instances. Visual exploration of the abdominal cavity in extended diagnostic laparoscopy (EDL), including surgical dissection of areas which are primarily inaccessible, biopsy retrieval, and laparoscopic ultrasound, is superior in the diagnostic workup of early peritoneal carcinomatosis and (small) liver metastases. It is helpful to evaluate lymph node infliction and local resectability. In esophageal carcinoma, pretherapeutic EDL is valuable in case of advanced adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus (AEG I according to Siewert), whereas the incidence of abdominal tumor manifestations in squamous cell carcinoma is too low to perform staging laparoscopy. In advanced gastric cancer, EDL yields relevant additional information in up to 20% of cases. If a multimodal therapeutic strategy is considered, EDL should be obligatory at least in prospective therapeutic studies. In carcinoma of the pancreas, EDL is in general not recommended by the majority of centers. Selective use (in particular in advanced cancer with a high probability of local irresectability) is gaining importance. In hepatobiliary malignancy including colorectal metastases, the high yield of additional information by EDL was confirmed in recent studies.