Time trends of lymphnode retrieval for pancreatic adenocarcinoma in a high volume center increased lymph node yield is not necessarily associated with a greater number of lymph node positive cancers

80 Background: While a minimum of 15 lymphnodes (LNs) should be evaluated for accurate staging of gastric cancer, LN yield in western countries is generally low. With the increasing use of preoperative chemotherapy, it is unknown what the effect of this treatment is on lymph node yield. The aim of the study is therefore to determine whether preoperative chemotherapy influences the number of LNs that can be obtained from specimens of patients who underwent curative surgery for gastric adenocarcinoma. Methods: In1,205 patients from a high-volume U.S. center and 1,220 patients from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) who underwent a total or distal gastrectomy with curative intent for gastric adenocarcinoma, the LN yield was compared between patients who received preoperative chemotherapy and patients who received no neoadjuvant therapy. Multivariate Poisson regression was used to identify significant predictors of LN retrieval. Results: Of the 2,425 patients who underwent a gastrectomy, 340 patients (14%) received preoperative chemotherapy. Median LN yields were 23 in the U.S. institution and 10 in the NCR. Separate multivariate analyses of the U.S. institution data and the NCR population showed in both groups that preoperative chemotherapy was not associated with a significant difference in LN yield (Table). Factors that were associated with higher LN yield were the same in both groups: female sex, younger age (6% more nodes with every 10 years decrease in age), total gastrectomy (vs. distal gastrectomy) and increasing tumor (T) stage. Conclusions: In both a high-volume cancer center, and a population-based cancer registry, female sex, younger age, total gastrectomy and advanced tumor stage were associated with an increase in lymph node retrieval in surgical specimens. Preoperative chemotherapy did not influence lymph node yield after a resection for gastric cancer. The threshold for what should constitute an adequate assessment of regional lymph nodes after curative surgery for gastric cancer should not be changed after administration of preoperative chemotherapy. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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Oncologic Outcomes of Robotic Left Pancreatectomy for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Single-Center Comparison to Laparoscopic Resection

The American Surgeon ◽

10.1177/0003134820949524 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 000313482094952

Author(s):

Maria Baimas-George ◽

Michael Watson ◽

Patrick Salibi ◽

Christoph Tschuor ◽

Keith J. Murphy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lymph Node ◽

Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma ◽

Oncologic Outcomes ◽

Tertiary Institution ◽

Recurrence Rates ◽

Lymph Node Yield ◽

Randomized Controlled Studies ◽

Left Pancreatectomy ◽

Baseline Characteristics ◽

Node Yield

Background Feasibility and safety of robotic surgery for pancreatic disease has been well demonstrated; however, there is scarce literature on long-term oncologic outcomes. We compared perioperative and oncologic outcomes between robotic left pancreatectomy (RLP) and laparoscopic left pancreatectomy (LLP) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Methods A retrospective review evaluated left pancreatectomies performed for pancreatic adenocarcinoma from 2009 to 2019 in a tertiary institution. Baseline characteristics, operative and oncologic outcomes were compared between RLP and LLP. Results There were 75 minimally invasive left pancreatectomy cases for pancreatic adenocarcinoma identified of which 33 cases were done robotically and 42 laparoscopically. Baseline characteristics demonstrated no difference in gender, age, BMI, T stage, N stage, neoadjuvant, or adjuvant chemotherapy. An analysis of operative variables demonstrated no difference in blood loss, increased duration, and higher lymph node yield with RLP (20 vs 12; P = .0029). Postoperatively, both cohorts had 30% pancreatic fistulas and no difference in complications. There were no differences in length of stay (LOS), 30- or 90-day readmission rates, or 90-day mortality. The analysis of oncologic outcomes demonstrated similar R0 resections (RLP: 72% vs OLP: 67%), recurrence rates (RLP: 36% vs OLP: 41%), and time to recurrence (RLP: 324 vs OLP 218 days). There was increased survival in the RLP cohort that was not significant (32 vs 19 months). Conclusion This analysis demonstrates RLP is at least equivalent to LLP in perioperative and oncologic outcomes. The significantly higher lymph node yield and trend toward an improved survival suggests oncologic advantage. Randomized controlled studies are needed to clarify benefit.

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