Feasibility of portal or superior mesenteric vein resection and reconstruction by allogeneic vein for pancreatic head cancer-a case-control study

The role of vascular resection and reconstruction in pancreaticoduodenectomy

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is one of the most difficult procedures in general surgery which involves the removal and reconstruction of many organs. PD is the standard surgical method for malignant tumors of the head, uncinate process and even the neck of the pancreas. During PD surgery, it often involves the removal and reconstruction of blood vessels. This is a clinical review about vascular resection and reconstruction in PD surgery.

Graft type for superior mesenteric and portal vein reconstruction in pancreatic surgery - A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Contemporary practice for superior mesenteric/portal vein (SMV-PV) reconstruction during pancreatectomy with vein resection involves biological (autograft, allograft, xenograft) or synthetic grafts as a conduit or patch. The aim of this study was to systematically review the safety and feasibility of the different grafts used for SMV-PV reconstruction.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in PubMed and Embase according to the PRISMA guidelines (January 2000-March 2020). Studies reporting on ≥ 5 patients undergoing reconstruction of the SMV-PV with grafts during pancreatectomy were included. Primary outcome was rate of graft thrombosis.

RESULTS

Thirty-four studies with 603 patients were included. Four graft types were identified (autologous vein, autologous parietal peritoneum/falciform ligament, allogeneic cadaveric vein/artery, synthetic grafts). Early and overall graft thrombosis rate was 7.5% and 22.2% for synthetic graft, 5.6% and 11.7% for autologous vein graft, 6.7% and 8.9% for autologous parietal peritoneum/falciform ligament, and 2.5% and 6.2% for allograft. Donor site complications were reported for harvesting of the femoral, saphenous, and external iliac vein. No cases of graft infection were reported for synthetic grafts.

CONCLUSION

In selected patients, autologous, allogenic or synthetic grafts for SMV-PV reconstruction are safe and feasible. Synthetic grafts seems to have a higher incidence of graft thrombosis.

Recent advances in radical resection combined with arterial resection in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly malignant tumor of the digestive tract, with a very poor prognosis and a 5-year survival rate of less than 8%. Most patients with PC have lost the chance of surgery at diagnosis because of the early invasion of important peripheral blood vessels, although R0 resection is the most important standard of radical surgery for PC. In recent years, the clinical application of pancreatectomy combined with portal vein/superior mesenteric vein resection has significantly improved the survival of patients with locally advanced PC. Therefore, many scholars are investigating whether pancreatectomy combined with arterial resection can benefit patients with locally advanced PC. Here, we review the recent progress regarding the treatment of PC using pancreatectomy combined with artery resection. Artery resection is not an absolute taboo for radical surgery in PC, and in selected patients with locally advanced PC, radical R0 resection and joint artery resection could achieve a relatively good clinical effect.

Vascular Resections for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Vascular Resections for PDAC

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

It has become clear that vein resection and reconstruction for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the standard of care as supported by multiple guidelines. However, resection of large peri-pancreatic arteries remains debatable.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review examines the current state of vascular resection with curative intent for PDAC in the last 5 years. Herein, we consider venous (superior mesenteric vein, portal vein), as well as arterial (superior mesenteric artery, celiac trunk, hepatic artery) resection or both with or without reconstruction.

RESULTS

Improvement of multidrug chemotherapy has revolutionized care for PDAC that should shift traditional surgical thinking from an anatomical classification of resectability to a prognostic and biological classification.

CONCLUSION

The present review gives an overview on the results of pancreatectomy associated with vascular resection, with consideration of new perspectives offered by the availability of better systemic therapies.