The modified transmanubrial approach in thyroid malignant tumors: an optimal and less invasive surgical option.

- We retrospectively evaluated a large series of patients (n: 15) underwent a modified transmanubrial approach for wide mediastinal resection in case of malignance thyroid mass - In fourteen cases, also with thyroid tumor involving the middle line. A bilateral mTMA was necessary to perform a cava vein resection. - No major postoperative and cutaneous/sternum complications were detected. - mTMA allows an optimal exposure of the upper thoracic inlet achieving a complete radical oncological resection of the tumor/lymph-node and a safety vascular/tracheal control. - As a limitation, the modified mTMA is anatomically more demanding and not familiar for most surgeons in comparison to sternotomy

P-P13 Long-term outcome after portal vein resection during pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a propensity score matched analysis

Background Portal vein resection (PVR) with pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is often performed to achieve clear margins for patients with vascular involvement in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, there is evidence to suggest that patients undergoing PVR often have more advanced cancers, therefore the impact of PVR on survival and recurrence remains unclear. The aim of this study is to assess overall (OS) and recurrence free (RFS) survival in patients who underwent PVR during PD, with particular attention to margin positivity. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 638 patients who underwent PD during a 12-year period. Exclusion criteria included PD for non-PDAC tumours, neoadjuvant chemotherapy or intra-operative radiotherapy. 374 patients were included in the study (90 PVR and 284 non-PVR). Patient characteristics and histopathological factors associated with OS and RFS were then evaluated using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. 270 patients (90 PVR and 180 non-PVR), were matched by propensity score based on perineural invasion, pT and pN staging. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival and log-rank tests. Results Resection margin positivity was associated with shorter OS and RFS (p < 0.0001), and the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) margin was the most significant risk factor for survival on competing risks analysis. Absent adjuvant chemotherapy, nodal metastasis and margin positivity were independent risk factors for OS and RFS on multivariate analysis. PVR was associated with higher intra-operative blood loss (p = 0.009), but was not associated with increased length of stay, complications or readmissions. PVR patients had increased pT staging, nodal metastasis and perineural invasion, however, there was no difference in OS (p = 0.551) or RFS (p = 0.256) between PVR and non-PVR after propensity matching. Conclusions Positive resection margins are associated with shorter survival times, and the SMV margin is the most significant prognostic indicator for overall survival and recurrence compared to other margins. PVR is a relatively safe procedure, however, it does not achieve the intended survival benefits of complete margin clearance. The impact on survival for margin positivity, particularly the SMV margin, and nodal metastasis should be considered when making decisions with regards to vein resection and adjuvant treatments.

Major Hepatectomy En Bloc with Cava Vein Resection for Locally Invasive Caudate Lobe Hepatocarcinoma

Background/Aim: Locally advanced liver tumours with vascular invasion have been considered for a long period of time as unresectable lesions, so the patient was further deferred to oncology services for palliation. However, improvement of the surgical techniques and the results reported so far came to demonstrate that extended hepatic and vascular resections might be safely performed in such cases and might significantly improve the long-term outcomes. Materials and Methods: A 61-year-old patient was diagnosed with a caudate lobe tumour invading the inferior cava vein and the right hepatic pedicle. Results: The patient was successfully submitted to surgery, and an extended right hepatectomy en bloc with cava vein resection was performed; the continuity of the cava vein was re-established by the placement of a synthetic graft. The postoperative outcome was uneventful. Conclusions: Although initially considered as a formal contraindication for resection, vascular invasion of the greater vessels should not preclude surgery if complete resection is achievable.

EP.TH.603Hypofractionated radiotherapy for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a world first in response to COVID19

Introduction COVID-19 has challenged healthcare systems across the world, restricting resources for major hepato-pancreato-biliary resections. We report the experience of a unique temporising measure to overcome unavailability of upfront surgery, for select patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (rPDAC) during the pandemic. Methods Select patients with rPDAC who were assessed to be unsuitable for, or declined, upfront systemic chemotherapy, were considered for hypofractionated radiotherapy (hypoRT) as bridging therapy to Whipple’s pancreaticoduodenectomy. Results Three patients with EUS-biopsy confirmed rPDAC with no vascular involvement received 5 fractions of hypoRT followed by Whipple’s resection. Median patient age was 68 (range 63-77). All patients successfully completed hypoRT, with one case of transient grade 2 anorexia. Median interval from hypoRT to resection was 75 days (range 41-95 days), with median operative time including anaesthesia of 573 minutes (range 496-661 minutes). R0 resection was achieved in two cases, including one requiring portal vein resection. R1 resection was seen in one patient who required superior mesenteric vein resection. One patient experienced complication in the form of delayed gastric emptying. Median length of stay was 11 days (range 11-58 days). No patient experienced post-operative pancreatic fistula, and no patient has evidence of recurrence on 30-day follow up imaging. Conclusion This report provides initial experience for hypoRT in select patients with rPDAC prior to resection. Further work is required to quantify outcomes and long-term safety profile of this novel approach. The hypoRT programme allowed select patients to obtain treatment whilst awaiting availability of surgical resources.

Vascular Resection in Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (phCC) is the most common type of cholangiocarcinoma, accounting for approximately 60 % of cases, followed by the distal and then the intrahepatic forms. There is not a staging system that allows comparation of all series and extract some conclusions to increase the long-survival rate in this dismal disease. The extension of the resection, which theoretically dependes on the type of phCC, is not closed subject. As surgery is the only known way to achieve a cure, many aggressive approachs have been adopted. Despite extended liver resections and even vascular resections, margins are positive in around one third of patients. In the past two decades, with advances in diagnostic and surgical techniques, the surgical outcomes and survival rates have gradually improved, although variability is the rule, with morbidity and mortality rates ranging from 14% to 76% and from 0% to 19%, respectively. Extended hepatectomies and portal vein resection even right hepatic artery reconstruction for the left side tumors are frequently needed. Salvage procedures when arterial reconstruction is not feasible, as well as hepatopancreatoduodenectomy, are still under evaluation too. In this article, we discuss the aggressive surgical approach to phCC focused on vascular resection. Disparate results on the surgical treatment of phCC made it impossible to reach clear-cut conclusions.