Postoperative Outcomes Analysis After Pancreatic Duct Occlusion: A Safe Option to Treat the Pancreatic Stump After Pancreaticoduodenectomy in Low-Volume Centers

Background: Surgical resection is the only possible choice of treatment in several pancreatic disorders that included periampullar neoplasms. The development of a postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is the main complication. Despite three different surgical strategies that have been proposed–pancreatojejunostomy (PJ), pancreatogastrostomy (PG), and pancreatic duct occlusion (DO)–none of them has been clearly validated to be superior. The aim of this study was to analyse the postoperative outcomes after DO.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 56 consecutive patients who underwent Whipple's procedure from January 2007 to December 2014 in a tertiary Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplant Unit. After pancreatic resection in open surgery, we performed DO of the Wirsung duct with Cyanoacrylate glue independently from the stump characteristics. The mean follow-up was 24.5 months.Results: In total, 29 (60.4%) were men and 19 were (39.6%) women with a mean age of 62.79 (SD ± 10.02) years. Surgical indications were in 95% of cases malignant diseases. The incidence of POPF after DO was 31 (64.5%): 10 (20.8%) patients had a Grade A fistula, 18 (37.5%) Grade B fistula, and 3 (6.2%) Grade C fistula. No statistical differences were demonstrated in the development of POPF according to pancreatic duct diameter groups (p = 0.2145). Nevertheless, the POPF rate was significantly higher in the soft pancreatic group (p = 0.0164). The mean operative time was 358.12 min (SD ± 77.03, range: 221–480 min). Hospital stay was significantly longer in patients who developed POPF (p < 0.001). According to the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification, seven of 48 (14.58%) patients were classified as CD III–IV. At the last follow-up, 27 of the 31 (87%) patients were alive.Conclusions: Duct occlusion could be proposed as a safe alternative to pancreatic anastomosis especially in low-/medium-volume centers in selected cases at higher risk of clinically relevant POPF.

P-P44 Clinical outcomes of consecutive patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy over the last decade at a high volume tertiary pancreatic surgery unit

Background Distal pancreatectomy (DP) enables resection of lesions in the body and tail of the pancreas. Over the past decade, the Laparoscopic approach has become frequently employed. There remains scarce outcome data available following laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy over a long time period from high volume centres. Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains the main source of morbidity and mortality after DP. The causes of POPF are multifactorial and poorly understood. The optimal method of pancreatic stump closure is still debated with variation in clinical practice. Methods All patients that underwent distal pancreatectomy at a UK tertiary pancreatic surgery centre between January 2011 and January 2021 were identified and clinical outcomes examined. Patients undergoing completion pancreatectomies were excluded. Clinical, pathological and surgical data for the included patients was retrospectively collected from the electronic patient record. Clinically significant POPF was defined as Grade B or C as per the ISGPF guidelines. For stapled stump closure, the Compression Index (CI) was calculated using closed staple height (mm) divided by the pancreatic thickness (mm). High and low CI was defined around the median. Results 233 patients (n = 90 open and n = 143 laparoscopic) were included in the final analysis. The laparoscopic approach was associated with comparable morbidity and significantly lower blood loss, shorter operative time and shorter length of stay. There were no significant differences in age, sex, final histology, closure technique, or ASA Score of 3 or more amongst patients with clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF). The POPF group had a significantly higher BMI, drain duration and readmission rate. CI data was available for 78 cases (range 0.04-0.21). There was no significant difference in low vs high CI for patients with CR-POPF. Conclusions Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is associated with favourable clinical outcomes in this series. Stapled vs sutured closure of the pancreatic stump offered equivocal outcomes with relation to POPF. POPF continues to have a significant impact on a clinical recovery as evident from longer drain duration and high readmission rates. Further research is required to try to establish methods for reducing the incidence of POPF after distal pancreatectomy.

Total Pancreatectomy with Autologous Islet Cell Transplantation—The Current Indications

Total pancreatectomy is a major complex surgical procedure involving removal of the whole pancreatic parenchyma and duodenum. It leads to lifelong pancreatic exocrine and endocrine insufficiency. The control of surgery-induced diabetes (type 3) requires insulin therapy. Total pancreatectomy with autologous islet transplantation (TPAIT) is performed in order to prevent postoperative diabetes and its serious complications. It is very important whether it is safe and beneficial for patients in terms of postoperative morbidity and mortality, and long-term results including quality of life. Small duct painful chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a primary indication for TPAIT, but currently the indications for this procedure have been extended. They also include hereditary/genetic pancreatitis (HGP), as well as less frequent indications such as benign/borderline pancreatic tumors (intraductal papillary neoplasms, neuroendocrine neoplasms) and “high-risk pancreatic stump”. The use of TPAIT in malignant pancreatic and peripancreatic neoplasms has been reported in the worldwide literature but currently is not a standard but rather a controversial management in these patients. In this review, history, technique, indications, and contraindications, as well as short-term and long-term results of TPAIT, including pediatric patients, are described.

A new algorithm of preoperative preparation of patients with focal lesions of the biliopancreatic area complicated by mechanical jaundice

Pancreatoduodenal resection (PDR) represents one of the most demanding procedures which is required in patients with a tumoral lesion at this level. The aim of the present article was to report the results of 272 patients submitted to such surgical procedures. All patients were divided into two groups: the main group, for whom the optimized decompression algorithm was used (n=112) and the control group, for whom preparation for PDR was carried out according to generally accepted standards (n=160). Upon admission to the hospital, the total bilirubin level in the main group was 274.6±5.9 µmol/l while in the control group this level was 270.4±4.6 µmol/l. PDR was performed in 272 of the patients. Whipple’s terminolateral anastomosis was performed in 38/160 (23.7%) of patients in the control group; termino-terminal anastomosis according to Shalimov-Kopchak’s method was imposed in 40/160 (25.0%) patients of the control group. Pancreatojejunoanastomosis with the imposition of a ductomucosal anastomosis was performed in 128 patients in total with 73 cases in the main group and in 55 cases in the control one. Pancreatogastroanastomosis with plunging of the pancreatic stump into the stomach stump was performed in 35 patients in total with 19 patients in the main group and 16 in the control group. Pancreatogastroanastomosis with plunging of the pancreatic stump into the ‘stomach sleeve’ was performed in 32 patients in total with 20 patients in the main group and 12 in the control group. The mortality rate in the main group was 6.3% (7 patients), and in the control group, 11.9% (19 patients). In conclusion, biliary decompression may improve the postoperative outcomes after pancreatic resection. Abbreviations: CEA, carcinoembryonic antigen; CA, cancer antigen; PDR, pancreatoduodenal resection; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging

The topographo-anatomical conditions of reconstruction of the trunk and roots of the portal vein during gastropancreatoduodenal resection

Topographic and anatomical variants of vascular plastics in extended gastropancreatoduodenal resection are substantiated. The anatomical study was performed on 30 organ complexes and 5 not embalmed human corpses. Significant variability of the roots and tributaries of the v. portae and their location near the pancreas was revealed. The extended contact of the mesenteric-portal segment with the head of the pancreas promotes the involvement of the veins of the portal system in the tumor process. The magistral type of the structure of the superior mesenteric vein was revealed in 19 cases, the distributed type in 11, which determines the conditions for vascular reconstruction. In the experiment the possibility of creation the formation of the direct mesenteric-portal anastomosis after duodenectomy was established in case of shifting the mobilized root of the mesentery of the small intestine in the direction of the liver gate. If splenic vein resection is necessary, adequate blood outflow from the stomach, spleen, and pancreatic stump can be provided by forming a distal splenic-renal anastomosis or, with a sufficient length of the splenic vein, a splenic-portal anastomosis. Based on computed tomography angiographs and intraoperative data 29 patients underwent extended gastropancreatoduodenal resection followed by vascular reconstruction. Tumor invasion of the trunk of the portal vein on computed tomography angiograms was represented by offset and the contact of the tumor with portal vein for over 10 mm (in 7 cases), the displacement and deformation of the portal vein tumor (in 5 cases), tumor infiltration of more than 50% of the circumference of the portal vein (in 3 cases). Extended contact with the tumor was identified in 9 cases, confluence stenosis of the portal vein in 5 cases. The tumor invasion into the portal vein, and the vascular system was restored by the formation of a port-portal anastomosis in 15 cases. Moreover at the reconstruction of mesenteric-portal segment we formed mesenteric-portal anastomosis in 10 cases. Also in 2 cases mesenteric-portal anastomosis in the confluence area of the iliac colon and jejunum tributaries was formed, in 1 case we formed anastomosis between the ileum-colon vein and the portal vein (with 1:2 diameter difference without patency disorders). In one single case we connected iliac colon vein wall with jejunum vein wall and formed anastomosis between them and portal vein. Distal splenorenal anastomosis was formed in 10 patients from this group. Spleno-portal anastomosis was formed in 3 patients above the junction of the portal and superior mesenteric veins.

Wrapping the pancreas with a polyglycolic acid sheet before stapling reduces the risk of fluid collection on the pancreatic stump after distal pancreatectomy

Background Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) and postoperative fluid collection (POFC) are common complications after distal pancreatectomy (DP). The previous method of reducing the risk of POPF was the application of a polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheet to the pancreatic stump after cutting the pancreas with a stapler (After-stapling); the new method involves wrapping the pancreatic resection line with a PGA sheet before stapling (Before-stapling). The study aimed to compare the incidence of POPF and POFC between two methods. Methods Data of patients who underwent open or laparoscopic DPs by a single surgeon from October 2010 to February 2020 in a tertiary referral hospital were retrospectively analyzed. POPF was defined according to the updated International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula criteria. POFC was measured by postoperative computed tomography (CT). Results Altogether, 182 patients were enrolled (After-stapling group, n = 138; Before-stapling group, n = 44). Clinicopathologic and intraoperative findings between the two groups were similar. Clinically relevant POPF rates were similar between both groups (4.3% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.989). POFC was significantly lesser in the Before-stapling group on postoperative day 7 (p < 0.001). Conclusions Wrapping the pancreas with PGA sheet before stapling was a simple and effective way to reduce POFC.

Improvement in distal pancreatectomy for tumors in the body and tail of the pancreas

Background Pancreatic resections are complex and technically challenging surgical procedures. They often come with potential limitations to high-volume centers. Distal pancreatectomy is a relatively simple procedure in most cases. It facilitates the development of up-to-date minimally invasive surgical procedures in pancreatic surgery including laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and robot-assisted distal pancreatectomy. Main body To obtain a desirable long-term prognosis, R0 resection and adequate lymphadenectomy are crucial to the surgical management of pancreatic cancer, and they demand standard procedure and multi-visceral resection if necessary. With respect to combined organ resection, progress has been made in evaluating and determining when and how to preserve the spleen. The postoperative pancreatic fistula, however, remains the most significant complication of distal pancreatectomy, with a rather high incidence. In addition, a safe closure of the pancreatic remnant persists as an area of concern. Therefore, much efforts that focus on the management of the pancreatic stump have been made to mitigate morbidity. Conclusion This review summarized the historical development of the techniques for pancreatic resections in recent years and describes the progress. The review eventually looked into the controversies regarding distal pancreatectomy for tumors in the body and tail of the pancreas.