Modified Pancreatojejunostomy in Pancreaticoduodenectomy for the Treatment of Periampullary Tumor: 8 Years of Surgical Experience

ChatGPT in Colorectal Surgery: A Promising Tool or a Passing Fad?

Colorectal surgery is a specialized branch of surgery that involves the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the colon, rectum, and anus. In the recent years, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) has gained considerable interest in various medical specialties, including surgery. Chatbot Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT), an AI-based chatbot developed by OpenAI, has shown great potential in improving the quality of healthcare delivery by providing accurate and timely information to both patients and healthcare professionals. In this paper, we investigate the potential application of ChatGPT in colorectal surgery. We also discuss the potential advantages and challenges associated with the implementation of ChatGPT in the surgical setting. Furthermore, we address the socio-ethical implications of utilizing ChatGPT in healthcare. This includes concerns over patient privacy, liability, and the potential impact on the doctor-patient relationship. Our findings suggest that ChatGPT has the potential to revolutionize the field of colorectal surgery by providing personalized and precise medical information, reducing errors and complications, and improving patient outcomes.

Pancreatico-Gastrostomy: A Modified Two-Layered Technique

Introduction: Pancreato-duodenal resections are commonly done for periampullary carcinomas. The outcome of the procedure is decided by pancreato-enterostomy. Pancreato-jejunostomy (PJ) has been employed largely as pancreato-enterostomy. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in pancreato-gastrostomy (PG). The debate continues on the choice of reconstruction.

Methods: A hundred cases of periampullary carcinoma were subjected to modified pancreatico-gastrostomy. The pancreatico-gastrectomy was evaluated by drain fluid amylase done on days 1, 3, and 5 post-operatively and clinical findings. The leaks were classified according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula (ISGPF) classification of biochemical leaks, postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) B and POPF C. The leaks were evaluated against pancreatic factors like duct diameter, consistency of the pancreas, the thickness of the pancreatic neck, and duct location. 

Observations: Eighty percent of patients had no leaks. The biochemical leak was seen in 10% of cases. POPF B and C were observed at 5% each. Mortality was 3%. The diameter of the pancreatic duct of more than 3 mm and the firm consistency of the pancreas were favourable factors in the outcome of the anastomosis.

Conclusion: A modified pancreatico-gastrostomy technique appears to be technically feasible and safe. The leak rates and mortality appear to be low. We need a higher number of patients to confirm the efficacy of this modified pancreatico-enterostomy.

Effect of Modified Blumgart Anastomosis on Surgical Outcomes After Pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

Surgeons continue to be concerned about complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy, especially postoperative pancreatic fistula. Among the factors that cause postoperative pancreatic fistula, the pancreaticojejunostomy technique has stood out in recent studies. In this study, we aimed to compare the surgical outcomes, especially POPF, of the modified Blumgart and the traditional anastomosis techniques in patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy.

METHODS

A total of 144 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy were divided into 2 groups according to the performed pancreaticojejunostomy technique (modified Blumgart anastomosis, n = 91 and traditional anastomosis, n = 53). Preoperative clinicodemographic data, perioperative findings, and postoperative results were compared between the groups. Additionally, factors associated with clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula were analyzed.

RESULTS

The modified Blumgart anastomosis group had lower clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula rate than traditional anastomosis group (n = 8 (8.8%) versus n = 14 (26.4%), P = .005). On the contrary, the biochemical leakage rate was higher in the modified Blumgart anastomosis group (n = 30 (33%) versus n = 9 (17%), P = .037). While postoperative pancreatic fistula-related reoperation rate was lower (n = 2 (2.2%) versus n = 7 (13.2%), P = .013), the length of hospital stay was also shorter (11 days (5-47 days) versus 21 days (6-46 days), P < .001) in the modified Blumgart anastomosis group. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that modified Blumgart anastomosis was an independent and negative predictive factor for clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (odds ratio = 0.274, 95% confidence interval = 0.103-0.728, P = .009).

CONCLUSION

Compared to the traditional anastomosis, modified Blumgart anastomosis decreases the rate of transition from biochemical leakage to clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula and postoperative pancreatic fistula-related reoperation and also shortens the length of hospital stay. In addition, modified Blumgart anastomosis is an independent and negative predictive factor for the development of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula.

Pancreaticojejunostomy Conducive to Biological Healing in Minimally Invasive Pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

Pancreaticojejunostomy, an independent risk factor for pancreatic fistula, is the cause of several postoperative complications of pancreaticoduodenectomy. As suturing in minimally invasive surgery is difficult to perform, more simplified methods are needed to guarantee a safe pancreatic anastomosis. The concept of "biological healing" proposed in recent years has changed the conventional understanding of the anastomosis, which recommends rich blood supply, low tension, and loose sutures in the reconstruction of the pancreatic outflow tract.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted in PubMed for articles on pancreaticojejunostomy published between January 2014 and December 2021. After following a due selection process, several techniques developed in accordance with the concept of biological healing that were found suitable for minimally invasive surgery and their related clinical outcomes were described in this review.

RESULTS

The incidence of clinically relevant pancreatic fistula associated with the presented techniques did not exceed 15.9%, indicating superior results compared to Cattell-Warren double-layer duct-to-mucosa anastomosis (incidence: approximately 20%). The features and drawbacks of these approaches have been enumerated from the viewpoint of biological healing.

CONCLUSIONS

This review described several modified pancreaticojejunostomy techniques with the advantages of a simplified procedure and a lower incidence of pancreatic fistula. Surgeons can choose to apply them in clinical practice to improve patient prognosis.

Blumgart Anastomosis After Pancreaticoduodenectomy. A Comprehensive Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression

BACKGROUND

The superiority of Blumgart anastomosis (BA) over non-BA duct to mucosa (non-BA DtoM) still remains under debate.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search of studies comparing BA to non-BA DtoM. The primary endpoint was CR-POPF. Postoperative morbidity and mortality, post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH), delayed gastric emptying (DGE), reoperation rate, and length of stay (LOS) were evaluated as secondary endpoints. The meta-analysis was carried out using random effect. The results were reported as odds ratio (OR), risk difference (RD), weighted mean difference (WMD), and number needed to treat (NNT).

RESULTS

Twelve papers involving 2368 patients: 1075 BA and 1193 non-BA DtoM were included. Regarding the primary endpoint, BA was superior to non-BA DtoM (RD = 0.10; 95% CI: -0.16 to -0.04; NNT = 9). The multivariate ORs' meta-analysis confirmed BA's protective role (OR 0.26; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.79). BA was superior to DtoM regarding overall morbidity (RD = -0.10; 95% CI: -0.18 to -0.02; NNT = 25), PPH (RD = -0.03; 95% CI -0.06 to -0.01; NNT = 33), and LOS (- 4.2 days; -7.1 to -1.2 95% CI).

CONCLUSION

BA seems to be superior to non-BA DtoM in avoiding CR-POPF.

Blumgart anastomosis reduces the incidence of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is the most serious complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Recently, Blumgart anastomosis (BA) has been found to have some advantages in terms of decreasing POPF compared with other pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) using either the duct-to-mucosa or invagination approach. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the safety and effectiveness of BA versus non-Blumgart anastomosis after PD. The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central Library were systematically searched for studies published from January 2000 to March 2020. One RCT and ten retrospective comparative studies were included with 2412 patients, of whom 1155 (47.9%) underwent BA and 1257 (52.1%) underwent non-Blumgart anastomosis. BA was associated with significantly lower rates of grade B/C POPF (OR 0.38, 0.22 to 0.65; P = 0.004) than non-Blumgart anastomosis. Additionally, in the subgroup analysis, the grade B/C POPF was also reduced in BA group than the Kakita anastomosis group. There was no significant difference regarding grade B/C POPF in terms of soft pancreatic texture between the BA and non-Blumgart anastomosis groups. In conclusion, BA after PD was associated with a decreased risk of grade B/C POPF. Therefore, BA seems to be a valuable PJ to reduce POPF comparing with non-Blumgart anastomosis.

Clinical evaluation of modified invaginated pancreaticojejunostomy for pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remains the major curative operation for malignant neoplasm of pancreas or cancerous tumors near the pancreas. Despite advancements in recent years, the postoperative recurrence rate of these neoplasms and tumors remains high. Moreover, overall morbidity remains high due to clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF).

METHODS

To compare the clinical outcomes of modified invaginated anastomosis and mucosa-to-mucosa anastomosis, this retrospective study included 343 patients who underwent PD from January 2008 to January 2019 at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University. The patients' general conditions and disease status were preoperatively evaluated. The surgical procedure was recorded, and operative management was appropriately performed.

RESULTS

Compared with mucosa-to-mucosa anastomosis, modified invaginated anastomosis resulted in a higher intraoperative blood transfusion rate (P < 0.001) and lower hospitalization expenses (P = 0.049). However, no significant differences were found in operation time (P = 0.790), intraoperative bleeding (P = 0.428), postoperative recovery exhaust time (P = 0.442), time to normal flow of food (P = 0.163), and hospitalization time (P = 0.567). Operation time was a risk factor for POPF (odds ratio 1.010; 95% confidence interval 1.003-1.016; P = 0.003). The incidence of pancreatic fistula (grades B and C) was lower in the patients who underwent modified invaginated anastomosis (14.1%) than in those who underwent mucosa-to-mucosa anastomosis (15.3%). The operation time was greater in the POPF group than in the non POPF group among the patients who received modified invaginated anastomosis (P = 0.003) and mucosa-to-mucosa anastomosis (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Modified invaginated pancreaticojejunostomy for PD resulted in a decreased incidence of POPF; it may serve as a new approach for PD while managing patients who have undergone PD.