Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus Originating from Ampullary Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report

Surgical resection is the only hope for cure in patients with pancreatic cancer. To improve the resectability and achieve better prognosis of this lethal disease, extended resection for pancreatic cancer has been applied. We have performed portal vein resection aggressively for pancreatic cancer with portal vein invasion. We also established a method of portal vein reconstruction using the left renal vein graft for tumors widely extended to the portal vein. Our data show similar survival between patients with portal vein obstruction and those without invasion. We also show that portal vein reconstruction using the left renal vein graft can be performed safely without severe liver damage. With video, we introduce our surgical technique for portal vein resection and reconstruction, especially focusing on the usage of the left renal vein graft, providing several tips for a safe and successful procedure.

Portal vein thrombosis in adults: pathophysiology, pathogenesis and management

Anticoagulant therapy for splanchnic vein thrombosis

The authors performed distal pancreatectomy with celiac artery resection (DP-CAR) & portal vein (PV) resection and reconstruction with allogeneic iliac vein as a conversion surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced pancreas cancer (LAPC) and report here with video. A 58-year-old man presented with LAPC. There was a 4 cm sized tumor at pancreas body abutting celiac axis, superior mesenteric artery, common hepatic artery, splenic artery and portosplenic confluence. There was no evidence of distant metastasis. Modified FOLFIRINOX was given for 17 cycles per 8 months. The tumor shrunk to 3.2 cm with markedly decreased area of abutment to major vasculatures. The DP-CAR procedures were proceeded as planned except portosplenic confluence management where resection and reconstruction with an allogeneic iliac vein graft of 4 cm length was performed. The operation took 355 minutes. Intraoperatively blood loss amounted 900 g with no transfusion. R0 resection was achieved pathologically. There was one lymph node metastasis. Postoperatively infected fluid collection due to pancreas leakage was identified and percutaneous drainage was inserted 3 weeks after the operation. PV graft was stenotic due to the fluid collection. PV stent was inserted. PCD tube was removed 6 weeks after its insertion. He is well except diarrhea 3 times a day 3 months after the operation. DP-CAR with PV resection and reconstruction is a demanding operation. PV reconstruction should be anticipated and prepared before surgery when pancreas body cancer abuts portosplenic confluence. Interposition graft rather than primary anastomosis should be considered when PV resection is needed during DP-CAR.

BackgroundGastric cancer with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is poor prognosis, and the treatment remains challenging. Regarding surgery, there are only reports of highly invasive laparotomy. We report some techniques of the completely robotic total gastrectomy with thrombectomy and portal vein reconstruction for the patient with gastric cancer and PVTT for the first time.Case presentationA 79-year-old man was diagnosed with a 5-cm gastric cancer on the side of the lesser curvature from the middle of the gastric body to the cardia. Computed tomography revealed a massive PVTT extending from the left gastric vein to the portal trunk (28 x 16 mm). There were no other distant metastases. After 3 cycles of the chemotherapy, the PVTT shrank to 19 x 12 mm. After obtaining informed consent from the patient, robotic total gastrectomy with regional lymphadenectomy and thrombectomy were performed. We used the da Vinci Xi Surgical System. A 3-cm incision was made at the umbilicus, and a wound retractor was placed. Five additional ports were placed. The right side suprapancreatic lymph nodes were performed at the time of the thrombectomy. It was important to identify the precise extent of the PVTT with intraoperative ultrasonography before the thrombectomy. After PVTT identification, the portal trunk was clamped above and below the tumor thrombus with vascular clips. The membrane on the anterior wall of the portal trunk around the PVTT was carefully incised with da Vinci Scissors. The tumor thrombus was completely enucleated without separation. The incised part of the portal trunk was reconstructed with continuous 5-0 synthetic monofilament nonabsorbable polypropylene sutures. After removing the vascular clamps, we made sure there was no leakage from the portal vein and no tumor thrombus remnants with intraoperative ultrasonography. Robotic total gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy and Roux-en-Y reconstruction were performed. The patient was discharged without complications. The patient has remained alive for 30 months after surgery.ConclusionsRobotic total gastrectomy with thrombectomy and portal vein reconstruction is a safe, minimally invasive, and precise surgery. It may contribute to improved prognosis of gastric cancer with PVTT when combined with chemotherapy.

BackgroundRecent reports have shown that patients with vascular tumour invasion who undergo concurrent vascular resection can achieve long-term survival rates equivalent to those without vascular involvement requiring pancreaticoduodenectomy alone. There is no consensus about which patients benefit from the portal-superior mesenteric vein resection and there is no consensus about the best surgical technique of vessel reconstruction (resection with or without graft reconstruction). As published series are small the aim of this study was to evaluate our experience in pancreatectomies with en bloc vascular resection and reconstruction of vessels.MethodsReview of database at University Clinical Centre Maribor identified 133 patients (average age 65.4 ± 8.6 years, 69 female patients) who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy between January 2006 and August 2014. Clinical data, operative results, pathological findings and postoperative outcomes were collected prospectively and analyzed. Current literature and our experience in pancreatectomies with en bloc vascular resection and reconstruction of portal vein are reviewed.ResultsTwenty-two patients out of 133 (16.5%) had portal vein-superior mesenteric vein resection and portal vein reconstruction (PVR) during pancreaticoduodenectomy. In fourteen patients portal vein was reconstructed without the use of synthetic vascular graft. In these series two types of venous reconstruction were performed. When tumour involvement was limited to the superior mesenteric vein (SPV) or portal vein (PV) such that the splenic vein could be preserved, and vessels could be approximated without tension a primary end-to-end anastomosis was performed. When tumour involved the SMV-splenic vein confluence, splenic vein ligation was necessary. In the remaining eight procedures interposition graft was needed. Dacron grafts with 10 mm diameter were used. There was no infection after dacron grafting. One patient had portal vein thrombosis after surgery: it was thrombosis after primary reconstruction. There were no thromboses in patients with synthetic graft interposition. There were no significant differences in postoperative morbidity, mortality or grades of complication between groups of patients with or without a PVR. Median survival time in months was in a group with vein resection 16.13 months and in a group without vein resection 15.17 months. Five year survival in the group without vein resection was 19.5%. Comparison of survival curves showed equal hazard rates with log-rank p = 0.090.ConclusionsSurvival of patients with pancreatic cancer who undergo an R0 resection with reconstruction was comparable to those who have a standard pancreaticoduodenectomy with no added mortality or morbidity. Synthetic graft appeared to be an effective and safe option as an interposition graft for portomesenteric venous reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Combined vascular resection in operative resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma: Does it work or not?

We present a case of a large colorectal liver metastasis with portal vein and biliary tumor thrombi and duodenal and jejunal direct invasion that required hepatopancreatoduodenectomy. A 38-year-old woman presented to her local hospital with right back pain and jaundice. She had undergone transverse colectomy and limited liver resection for transverse colon cancer with a synchronous liver metastasis in September 1991, and low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma in January 1996. She was diagnosed as having colorectal liver metastasis and was referred to our hospital for possible surgery. Radiologic and endoscopic examinations revealed a large liver tumor occupying the right lobe, biliary dilation in the left lateral section, and a portal vein tumor thrombus. Invasion of the inferior vena cava and the right renal vein were also suspected. Intraoperative findings revealed a large liver tumor that occupied the right lobe and invaded the duodenum and jejunum. The tumor was resected successfully by right trisectionectomy, caudate lobectomy, pancreatoduodenectomy, partial resection of the jejunum, and combined portal vein resection and reconstruction. The inferior vena cava, right kidney, and renal vein could be detached from the tumor. The patient has enjoyed an active life without recurrence for 2 years since the operation.

Hepatobiliary cancer invading the hilar bile duct often involves the portal bifurcation. Portal vein resection and reconstruction is usually performed after completion of the hepatectomy. This retrospective study assessed the safety and usefulness of portal vein reconstruction prior to hepatic dissection in right hepatectomy and caudate lobectomy plus biliary reconstruction, one of the common procedures for radical resection. Clinical characteristics and perioperative results were compared in patients who underwent right hepatectomy and caudate lobectomy plus biliary reconstruction with (ten patients) and without (11 patients) portal reconstruction from September 1998 to March 2002. All ten portal vein reconstructions were completed successfully before hepatic dissection; the portal cross-clamp time ranged from 15 to 41 (median 22) min. Blood loss, blood transfusion during the operation, postoperative liver function, morbidity and length of hospital stay were similar in the two groups. No patient suffered postoperative hepatic failure or death. This study demonstrates that portal vein reconstruction does not increase the morbidity or mortality associated with right hepatectomy and caudate lobectomy with biliary reconstruction. This approach facilitates portal vein reconstruction for no-touch resection of hepatobiliary cancer invading the hilar bile duct.

To compare the therapeutic effect and significances of multimodality treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombi in portal vein (PVTT). HCC patients (n=147) with tumor thrombi in the main portal vein or the first branch of portal vein were divided into four groups by the several therapeutic methods. There were conservative treatment group in 18 out of patients (group A); and hepatic artery ligation(HAL) and/or hepatic artery infusion (HAI) group in 18 patients (group B), in whom postoperative chemoembolization was done periodically; group of removal of HCC with PVTT in 79 (group C) and group of transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) or HAI and/or portal vein infusion (PVI) after operation in 32 (group D). The median survival period was 12 months in our series and the 1-,3-, and 5-year survival rates were 44.3%, 24.5% and 15.2%, respectively. The median survival times were 2, 5, 12 and 16 months in group A, B, C and D, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 5.6%, 0% and 0% in group A; 22.2%, 5.6% and 0% in group B; 53.9%, 26.9% and 16.6% in group C; 79.3%, 38.9% and 26.8% in group D, respectively. Significant difference appeared in the survival rates among the groups (P < 0.05). Hepatic resection with removal of tumor thrombi and HCC should increase the curative effects and be encouraged for the prolongation of life span and quality of life for HCC patients with PVTT, whereas the best therapeutic method for HCC with PVTT is with regional hepatic chemotherapy or chemoembolization after hepatic resection with removal of tumor thrombi.

To evaluate the incidence, risk factors, management options, and outcomes of portal vein thrombosis following major hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. A total of 177 perihilar cholangiocarcinoma patients who (1) underwent major hepatectomy and (2) underwent investigating the portal vein morphology, which was measured by rotating the reconstructed three-dimensional images after facilitating bone removal using Aquarius iNtuition workstation between 2002 and 2018, were included. Risk factors were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard models. Six patients developed portal vein thrombosis (3.4%) within a median time of 6.5 (range 0-22) days. Portal vein and hepatic artery resection were performed in 30% and 6% patients, respectively. A significant difference in the probability of the occurrence of portal vein thrombosis (PV) within 30 days was found among patients with portal vein resection, a postoperative portal vein angle < 100°, remnant portal vein diameter < 5.77 mm, main portal vein diameter > 13.4 mm, and blood loss (log-rank test, p = 0.003, p = 0.06, p < 0.0001, p = 0.01, and p = 0.03, respectively). Decreasing the portal vein angle and narrowing of the remnant PV diameter remained significant predictors on multivariate analysis (p = 0.027 and 0.002, respectively). Reoperation with thrombectomy was performed in four patients, and the other two patients were successfully treated with anticoagulants. All six patients subsequently recovered and were discharged between 25 and 70 days postoperatively. Narrowing of the remnant portal vein diameter and a decreased portal vein angle after major hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma are significant independent risk factors for postoperative portal vein thrombosis.

BackgroundThe treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) requires diverse and multidisciplinary approaches. In recent years, new agents with good antitumor effects have emerged for systemic chemotherapy, and conversion surgery (CS) after systemic chemotherapy is expected to be an effective treatment strategy for unresectable HCC. We herein report a case of unresectable HCC with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) in which atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy induced PVTT regression, followed by CS with R0 resection.Case presentationThe patient was a 79-year-old man with S2/S3 HCC who was referred to our department due to tumor re-growth and PVTT after two rounds of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. The PVTT extended from the left portal vein to the main trunk, and it was determined that the resection of the left portal vein would be difficult to perform with R0 status. Based on the diagnosis of unresectable HCC, treatment with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab was initiated. After two courses of treatment, contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed that the PVTT had regressed to the peripheral side of the left portal vein, and R0 resection became possible. The patient developed grade 3 skin lesions as an immune-related adverse event, and it was determined that the continuation of chemotherapy would be difficult. Four weeks after the second course of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab administration, left lobectomy was performed. Intraoperative ultrasonography was used to confirm the location of the tumor thrombus in the left portal vein during the resection, and a sufficient surgical margin was obtained. The histopathological findings showed that primary tumor and PVTT were mostly necrotic with residues of viable tumor cells observed in some areas. The liver background was determined as A1/F4 (new Inuyama classification). The resection margins were negative, and R0 resection was confirmed. There were no postoperative complications. No recurrence was observed as of five months after surgery.ConclusionsCS with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy has potential utility for the treatment of unresectable HCC with PVTT.

Portal vein thrombosis after reconstruction in 270 consecutive patients with portal vein resections in hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery

The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)is poor,and tumor thrombus in the portal vein or in the bile duct is an important influencing factor.Approximately 30%of HCC patients are found to have portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT)when diagnosed,and their median survival time is about 2.7-4.0 months if they do not receive any treatment.The incidence of HCC complicated with bile duct tumor thrombus (BDTT)is less than 10%,while the prognosis is dismal.Once tumor thrombus extends to the major bile ducts,obstructive jaundice and subsequent hepatic dysfunction are inevitable.The survival time of patients with HCC complicated with BDTT is less than 4 months if they only receive palliative biliary stenting.The management of HCC complicated with PVTT or BDTT is challenging with controversy at present.Different treatment approaches and their benefits for patients with HCC complicated with PVTT or BDTT are introduced in this paper. Key words: Liver neoplasms; Portal vein tumor thrombus; Bile duct tumor thrombus; Treatment

Venous patency rates after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with portal vein (PV) resection are not well established, and the oncologic impact of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is unknown. The primary aim of this study was to determine rates and predictors of PVT after PD with PV resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A retrospective cohort study was performed on PDAC patients treated with preoperative therapy and PD with PV resection at a high-volume institution (2008-15). Primary outcomes were early and late PVT (≤ or >90 days of surgery). Secondary outcomes included major complications and OS. Patients undergoing vein resection (N = 120) included 41.7% (N = 50) primary repair or patch venoplasty, 29.2% (N = 35) primary anastomosis, and 29.2% (N = 35) interposition graft. Thirty-four (28.3%) patients developed PVT (early 7.5% [N = 9]; late 20.8% [N = 25]). Late PVT was often detected concurrently with local recurrence (76.0%; N = 19). There was no association of PVT with vascular resection extent or complications (P > 0.05). On multivariable analysis, PVT was associated with worse OS (HR 2.2 [95% CI 1.34-3.5], P < 0.001). Overall postoperative patency rates following PV resection PDAC were high. PVT is associated with worse OS, which appears less likely related to technical issues, but rather representative of disease biology.