Laparoscopic partial pancreatectomy of the left limb using a harmonic scalpel in nine cats

OBJECTIVE

To describe a laparoscopic technique and outcome for partial pancreatectomy in cats.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

ANIMALS

Nine cats.

METHODS

Laparoscopic pancreatectomy was performed using a single incision laparoscopic surgery port and an additional 5.5 mm port. The left pancreatic limb was dissected, sealed and divided at the level of the splenic vein insertion to the portal vein using a harmonic device. Surgical time and complications were recorded. The weight and length of the resected pancreatic limb was recorded. Pre- and postoperative trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI), pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (PLI), and hemoglobin A1C were documented.

RESULTS

Laparoscopic partial pancreatectomy was performed successfully in all cats. One grade 1 intraoperative complication occurred (1/9; 11%) resulting in minor hemorrhage from a caudal splenic vein branch. A grade 2 postoperative complication occurred within 3 days after surgery in one cat (1/9; 11%), involving localized, sterile peritonitis in the region of the pancreatic angle. Signs resolved with conservative management. No cats exhibited signs of pancreatitis postoperatively. Long-term, mean TLI decreased by 37% ± 38% (p = .03) following partial pancreatectomy, while PLI and A1C were unchanged. All cats were alive and clinically well at last follow-up 250 to 446 days following surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic partial pancreatectomy using a harmonic device is effective in cats, and offers a minimally-invasive alternative to open surgical pancreatectomy techniques. Laparoscopic pancreatectomy of the left limb results in adequate exocrine and endocrine function in the long-term.

Nomogram and a predictive model for postoperative hemorrhage in preoperative patients of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodectomy

To develop a predictive model and a nomogram for predicting postoperative hemorrhage in preoperative patients undergoing laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD). A total of 409 LPD patients that underwent LPD by the same surgical team between January 2014 and December 2020 were included as the training cohort. The preoperative data of patients were statistically compared and analyzed for exploring factors correlated with postoperative hemorrhage. The predictive model was developed by multivariate logistic regression and stepwise (stepAIC) selection. A nomogram based on the predictive model was developed. The discriminatory ability of the predictive model was validated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and leave-one-out method. The statistical analysis was performed using R 3.5.1 (www.r-project.org). The predictive model including the risk-associated factors of postoperative hemorrhage was as follows: 2.695843 − 0.63056 × (Jaundice = 1) − 1.08368 × (DM = 1) − 2.10445 × (Hepatitis = 1) + 1.152354 × (Pancreatic tumor = 1) + 1.071354 × (Bile duct tumor = 1) − 0.01185 × CA125 − 0.04929 × TT − 0.08826 × APTT + 26.03383 × INR − 1.9442 × PT + 1.979563 × WBC − 2.26868 × NEU − 2.0789 × LYM − 0.02038 × CREA + 0.00459 × AST. A practical nomogram based on the model was obtained. The internal validation of ROC curve was statistically significant (AUC = 0.7758). The validation by leave-one-out method showed that the accuracy of the model and the F measure was 0.887 and 0.939, respectively. The predictive model and nomogram based on the preoperative data of patients undergoing LPD can be useful for predicting the risk degree of postoperative hemorrhage.

Pancreatic neck transection using a harmonic scalpel increases risk of biochemical leak but not postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

The effect of a harmonic scalpel on postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) has not been addressed. This study assessed the effect of pancreatic neck transection using a harmonic scalpel on rate and severity of POPF after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

METHODS

This retrospective analysis included patients who underwent PD at National Taiwan University Hospital between July 2015 and March 2019. We compared rate and severity of POPF between patients who underwent pancreatic neck transection using a harmonic scalpel versus electrosurgical unit.

RESULTS

Of 422 consecutive PDs, the pancreatic neck was transected using a harmonic scalpel or electrosurgical unit in 144 and 278 patients, respectively. Use of a harmonic scalpel significantly increased risk of biochemical leak (25.7% versus [vs] 10.8%; P < 0.05) but not clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF; 30.2% vs 26.4%; P = 0.41). Harmonic transection was an independent predictor of biochemical leak (odds ratio [OR] = 2.93; P < 0.05) but not CR-POPF (OR = 0.83; P = 0.41) or other major complications (OR = 0.72; P = 0.27). There was no significant intergroup difference in postoperative hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

Pancreatic neck transection using a harmonic scalpel increased risk of biochemical leak but not CR-POPF or other major complications.