Experience In Pancreatic Surgery Research Articles

Novel invagination procedure for pancreaticojejunostomy using double purse string sutures: A technical note.

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is one of the most serious complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), and the choice of pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) is considered a key factor affecting the occurrence of POPF. Numerous anastomotic methods and their modifications have been proposed, and there is no method that can completely avoid the occurrence of POPF. Based on our team's experience in pancreatic surgery and a review of relevant literature, we describe a novel invagination procedure for PJ using double purse string sutures, which has resulted in favourable outcomes. To describe the precise procedural steps, technical details and clinical efficacy of the novel invagination procedure for PJ. This study adopted a single-arm retrospective cohort study methodology, involving a total of 65 consecutive patients who underwent PD with the novel invagination procedure for PJ, including the placement of a pancreatic stent, closure of the residual pancreatic end, and two layers of purse-string suturing. Baseline data included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), pancreatic texture, pancreatic duct diameter, operation time, and blood loss. Clinical outcomes included the operation time, blood loss, and incidence of POPF, postoperative haemorrhage, delayed gastric emptying, postoperative pulmonary infection, postoperative abdominal infection, and postoperative pulmonary infection. The mean age of the patients was 59.12 (± 8.08) years. Forty males and 25 females were included, and the mean BMI was 21.61 kg/m2 (± 2.74). A total of 41.53% of patients had a pancreatic duct diameter of 3 mm or less. The mean operation time was 263.83 min (± 59.46), and the mean blood loss volume was 318.4 mL (± 163.50). Following the surgical intervention, only three patients showed grade B POPF (4.62%), while no patients showed grade C POPF. Five patients (5/65, 7.69%) were diagnosed with postoperative haemorrhage. Six patients (6/65, 9.23%) experienced delayed gastric emptying. Four patients (4/65, 6.15%) developed postoperative pulmonary infection, while an equivalent number (4/65, 6.15%) exhibited postoperative abdominal infection. Additionally, two patients (2/65, 3.08%) experienced postoperative pulmonary infection. The novel invagination technique for PJ is straightforward, yields significant outcomes, and has proven to be safe and feasible for clinical application.

Pancreatojejunostomy: standing on the shoulders of giants. A single centre retrospective analysis.

Gaining experience in pancreatic surgery could be demanding especially when minimally invasive approach is used. Pancreatojejunostomy (PJ) is one of the most critical steps during pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). Our aim was to investigate the impact of a surgeon's experience in performing PJ, especially in a subgroup of patients undergoing laparoscopic PD (LPD). Data of consecutive patients undergoing PD from 2017 to 2022 were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: M group included patients in which PJ was performed by an experienced surgeon, D group included those receiving PJ by a less experienced one. The groups were compared in terms of postoperative outcomes. 187 patients were selected (157 in group M and 30 in group D). The cohorts differed in terms of median age (68 vs 74years, p = 0.016), and previous abdominal surgery (41.4% vs 66.7%, p = 0.011), while no difference was found regarding risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). The groups did not differ in terms of surgical outcomes. POPF rate was 15.9% and 10% in the M and D group (p = 0.578), respectively. Among patients undergoing laparoscopic PJ POPF rate was 16.0% and 17.7% in the M and D group (p = 0.867), respectively, without difference. No difference was found in terms of POPF in patients undergoing PD independently from the surgeon who performed the PJ, even during LPD. Moderate/high FRS, BMI > 30kg/m2 and male sex, but not the surgeon who performed the PJ anastomosis, were independent predictors of POPF.

ERAS with or without supplemental artificial nutrition in open pancreatoduodenectomy for cancer. A multicenter, randomized, open labeled trial (RASTA study protocol)

The role of supplemental artificial nutrition in patients perioperatively treated according to enhanced recovery programs (ERAS) on surgery-related morbidity is not known. Therefore, there is a need of a clinical trials specifically designed to explore whether given a full nutritional requirement by parenteral feeding after surgery coupled with oral food "at will" compared to oral food "at will" alone, within an established ERAS program, could achieve a reduction of the morbidity burden. RASTA will be a multicenter, randomized, parallel-arm, open labeled, superiority trial. The trial will be conducted in five Italian Institutions with proven experience in pancreatic surgery and already applying an established ERAS program. Adult patients (age ≥ 18 and < 90 years of age) candidate to elective open pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for any periampullary or pancreatic cancer will be randomized to receive a full ERAS protocol that establishes oral food "at will" plus parenteral nutrition (PN) from postoperative day 1 to day 5 (treatment arm), or to ERAS protocol without PN (control arm). The primary endpoint of the trial is the complication burden within 90 days after the day of surgery. The complication burden will be assessed by the Comprehensive Complication Index, that incorporates all complications and their severity as defined by the Clavien-Dindo classification, and summarizes postoperative morbidity with a numerical scale ranging from 0 to 100. The H0 hypothesis tested is that he administration of a parenteral nutrition added to the ERAS protocol will not affect the CCI as compared to standard of care (ERAS). The H1 hypothesis is that the administration of a parenteral nutrition added to the ERAS protocol will positively affect the CCI as compared to standard of care (ERAS). The trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (number: NCT04438447; date: 18/05/2020). This upcoming trial will permit to establish if early postoperative artificial nutritional support after PD may improve postoperative outcomes compared to oral nutrition alone within an established ERAS program.

Pancreatic Fistula and Biochemical Leak after Splenectomy: Incidence and Risk Factors—A Retrospective Single-Center Analysis

PurposePostoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a complication discussed in the context of pancreatic surgery, but may also result from splenectomy; a relationship that has not been investigated extensively yet.MethodsThis retrospective single-center study aimed to analyze incidence of and risk factors for POPF after splenectomy. Patient characteristics included demographic data, surgical procedure, and intra- and postoperative complications. POPF was defined according to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery as POPF of grade B and C or biochemical leak (BL).ResultsOver ten years, 247 patients were identified, of whom 163 underwent primary (spleen-associated pathologies) and 84 secondary (extrasplenic oncological or technical reasons) splenectomy. Thirty-six patients (14.6%) developed POPF of grade B/C or BL, of which 13 occurred after primary (7.9%) and 23 after secondary splenectomy (27.3%). Of these, 25 (69.4%) were BL, 7 (19.4%) POPF of grade B and 4 (11.1%) POPF of grade C. BL were treated conservatively while three patients with POPF of grade B required interventional procedures and 4 with POPF of grade C required surgery. POPF and BL was noted significantly more often after secondary splenectomy and longer procedures. Multivariate analysis confirmed secondary splenectomy and use of energy-based devices as independent risk factors for development of POPF/BL after splenectomy.ConclusionWith an incidence of 4.5%, POPF is a relevant complication after splenectomy. The main risk factor identified was secondary splenectomy. Although POPF and BL can usually be treated conservatively, it should be emphasized when obtaining patients’ informed consent and treated at centers with experience in pancreatic surgery.

Single Center Experience in Pancreatic Surgery.

Introduction: We present our department experience in pancreatic surgery over the last 6 years. From its inception the number of pancreatic resections has been continuously growing each year. Method: We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database where we included all the patients with pancreatic resections over the last 6 years. We present the main indication and the different types of pancreatic resections, postoperative morbidity, intrahospital and 90-day mortality and an analysis of survival for the patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Results: We analyzed 198 patients, 193 with pancreatic resections and 5 patients with open surgery microwave ablation. There were 145 pancreaticoduodenectomies, 37 distal pancreatectomies, one total pancreatectomy, 3 distal pancreatectomies with celiac axis resection and 7 surgical interventions for chronic pancreatitis. Conclusion: We presented our center's experience in pancreatic surgery with good overall results, however, there is still room for continuous improvement and refinements to achieve better shortterm outcomes, regarding postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Assessing the influence of experience in pancreatic surgery: a risk-adjusted analysis using the American College of Surgeons NSQIP database

BackgroundThe association between higher surgical volume and better perioperative outcomes after pancreatectomy has been extensively demonstrated. However, how different notions of experience impact outcomes of surgeons operating within high-quality scenarios remains unclear. MethodsSelf-reported experience parameters from ACS-NSQIP HPB-Collaborative surgeons were merged with 2014–2016 ACS-NSQIP clinical data. The association of various experience parameters with outcomes was investigated through uni- and multivariable analyses. Hierarchical regression assessed surgeon performance. Results111/151 HPB-Collaborative surgeons provided responses (73.5%). Compared to the other 532 ACS-NSQIP surgeons performing pancreatectomy, HPB-Collaborative surgeons performed 7692/16,239 of the overall pancreatectomies (47.3%), with improved outcomes of serious morbidity, pancreatic fistula, reoperation, duration of stay and readmissions. Median age of respondents was 49 years and 92.8% were fellowship-trained. Median career and annual pancreatectomy volume were 400 and 35, respectively; median annual institutional volume was 100 resections. On unadjusted analyses, several aspects of experience were associated with the outcomes studied, especially for pancreatoduodenectomy; however, none remained significant after multivariable adjustment. Surgeons’ profiling showed substantial homogeneity in performance for both pancreatoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy. ConclusionsContemporary data shows that for surgeons operating in high quality settings clinical outcomes are largely independent of indicators of greater experience.

Access to radical resections of pancreatic cancer is region-dependent despite the public healthcare system in Finland

BackgroundSurgical resection is the best treatment option to improve the prognosis of pancreatic cancer (PC). Our aim was to analyse whether PC treatment strategies show regional variation in Finland, a...

Current issues in pancreatic surgery

To present own experience of pancreatic surgery and to analyze literature data for this issue. We have analyzed work of abdominal surgery department over the last 5 years. Moreover, MEDLINE and RSCI databases regarding surgical treatment of pancreatic diseases were assessed. There were 456 pancreatectomies. Postoperative complications arose in 176 (38.6%) patients, 11 patients died (2.4%). According to world data, mortality after pancreatectomy reaches 10%. Only creation of specialized centers is proven way to improve the outcomes. Current medical assistance for pancreatic disease may be only achieved in specialized centers with large number of various pancreatic procedures. The organization of such centers is required throughout the country and certain accreditation criteria should be developed for this purpose. Targeted routing of patients to specialized pancreatology centers will be able to reduce incidence of diagnostic, tactical and technical errors.

CASE REPORT OF ERRONEOUS SURGICAL TACTICS IN PATIENT WITH CHRONIC PANCREATITIS

Currently, surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis and its complications is performed by surgeons without necessary experience in pancreatic surgery. It is presented case report of successful surgical treatment of the patient who previously underwent non-radical pancreatic intervention without desired result. Moreover, the name of surgery in medical history did not correspond to true nature of the intervention.

Emergency Backwards Whipple for Bleeding: Formidable and Definitive Surgery.

Introduction During the past decades, the safety of pancreatoduodenectomy has improved, with low mortality and reduced morbidity, particularly in centers with extensive experience. Emergency pancreatoduodenectomy is an uncommon event, for treatment of pancreaticoduodenal trauma, bleeding, or perforation. We herein present a single center experience concerning nontrauma emergency pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreaticoduodenal bleeding. Methods From January 2007 to December 2015, from a population of 134 PD (70 males and 64 females, mean age 62.2, range 34–82), 5 patients (3.7%; 2 males and 3 females, mean age 64, range 57–70) underwent one-stage emergency pancreatoduodenectomy for uncontrollable nontrauma pancreaticoduodenal bleeding in our tertiary center. Results All the 5 patients underwent a backwards Whipple with a morbidity of 60% and a mortality of 20% (1/5). The other 4 patients were recovered and discharged with a median postoperative length of stay of 17 days (range 14–23). Conclusion Emergency pancreatoduodenectomy is a definitive life-saving procedure allowing for a rapid control of bleeding when other less invasive approaches (transcatheter arterial embolization or interventional endoscopy) are exhausted, unavailable, or unsafe. It should be particularly considered in neoplastic disease and tailored by surgeons with a high level of experience in pancreatic surgery.

Quarter century experience of pancreatic surgery in a high volume center – A SWOT analysis of 2787 consecutive pancreatic resections

Quarter century experience of pancreatic surgery in a high volume center – A SWOT analysis of 2787 consecutive pancreatic resections

Results of the Laparoscopic Approach in Left-Sided Pancreatectomy

IntroductionLaparoscopic left-sided pancreatectomy (LLP) is an accepted technique for the treatment of benign and pre-malignant lesions of the left side of the pancreas, but there is still controversy on its use for malignant ones. ObjectiveTo evaluate our results in LLP as a routine technique for primary lesions of the left pancreas. Patients and methodsWe performed LLP in 15 patients for primary lesions of the pancreas from November 2007 to November 2011. An intra-abdominal drainage was left in all cases, and the recommendations of the International Study Group for Pancreatic Fistula were followed. ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 64±13 years. Six radical spleno-pancreatectomies, 3 corporocaudal with preservation of the spleen, and 6 pure distal (4 with preservation of the spleen). There was one conversion. The mean surgical time was 230±69min. The mean post-operative stay was 8.1±7.6 days. At 90 days, complications were detected in 4 patients; 3 grade II and one grade V according to the modified classification of Clavien. There was one grade B pancreatic fistula. The diagnosis was a malignant neoplasm in 53% of cases. The number of resected lymph nodes in the cases where a radical resection was planned due to cancer was 21.7±11.5, there being negative margins in all cases. ConclusionsLLP may be considered as a suitable technique for the treatment of primary pancreatic lesions, including malignant ones, provided that it is performed by groups with experience in pancreatic surgery and highly trained in laparoscopic surgery.

Resultados del abordaje laparoscópico en la pancreatectomía izquierda

IntroductionLaparoscopic left-sided pancreatectomy (LLP) is an accepted technique for the treatment of benign and pre-malignant lesions of the left side of the pancreas, but there is still controversy on its use for malignant ones. ObjectiveTo evaluate our results in LLP as a routine technique for primary lesions of the left pancreas. Patients and methodsWe performed LLP in 15 patients for primary lesions of the pancreas from November 2007 to November 2011. An intra-abdominal drainage was left in all cases, and the recommendations of the International Study Group for Pancreatic Fistula were followed. ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 64±13 years. Six radical spleno-pancreatectomies, 3 corporo-caudal with preservation of the spleen, and 6 pure distal (4 with preservation of the spleen). There was one conversion. The mean surgical time was 230±69minutes. The mean post-operative stay was 8.1±7.6 days. At 90 days, complications were detected in 4 patients; 3 grade ii and one grade v according to the modified classification of Clavien. There was one grade B pancreatic fistula. The diagnosis was a malignant neoplasm in 53% of cases. The number of resected lymph nodes in the cases where a radical resection was planned due to cancer was 21.7±11.5, there being negative margins in all cases. ConclusionsLLP may be considered as a suitable technique for the treatment of primary pancreatic lesions, including malignant ones, provided that it is performed by groups with experience in pancreatic surgery and highly trained in laparoscopic surgery.

Ninety-Percent Distal Pancreatectomy

Context Brittle diabetes typically plagues the quality of life of patients after total pancreatectomy. Sparing even a small amount of endocrine tissue avoids extreme glycemic fluctuations, by maintaining a source of servo-regulated endogenous production of all pancreatic hormones (insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide). Objective We report on the outcome of a selected group of patients undergoing ninety-percent distal pancreatectomy (90% DP). Methods From April 2000 to May 2012, 90% DP was performed in 26 patients: 7 males (27%) and 19 females (73%), with a mean age of 68 years (range 40-79 years). Twenty-three patients underwent conventional open resection while 3 had a laparoscopic operation (robot-assisted in 2 of them). Splenectomy was associated in 24 patients (92%), while 2 had a multivisceral resection. Segmental resection of peripancreatic vessels was associated in 4 patients (1 celiac trunk-hepatic artery, and 3 superior mesenteric/portal vein). Results Seventeen patients were diagnosed with ductal adenocarcinoma (65%), 3 with well-differentiated endocrine tumor (12%), 3 with a serous cystadenoma, 1 with a mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (4%), 1 with carcinoma on IPMN, and 1 patient with chronic pancreatitis. Mean operative-time was 330 minutes (range 180-535 minutes). There was no post-operative mortality with a morbidity of 40%. Pancreatic fistula was recorded in 8 patients (32%) and was always managed conservatively. Thirteen patients developed insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (50%) and 16 developed exocrine insufficiency (61%) requiring enzyme supplementation. Conclusions 90% DP may be considered in patients with centrally located pancreatic lesions to avoid the complications due to pancreatic exocrine and endocrine insufficiency. In selected patients 90% DP may be performed laparoscopically, especially if robotic assistance is available. Careful patient selection and extended experience in pancreatic surgery are crucial to achieve the best results.

Pancreatic Cancer Surgery: The State of the Art

Pancreatic cancer patients have an extremely poor survival prognosis, and surgical resection remains the only curative treatment. Greater experience in pancreatic surgery and developments in surgical techniques have reduced surgical mortality and morbidity rates. It has been suggested that experienced pancreaticoduodenectomy centers should have mortality rates of less than 5% and major complication rates of less than 40%. Surgical resection followed by combined adjuvant therapy is currently the standard treatment for resectable pancreas cancer. Patients with borderline or marginal resectable tumors are beginning to have favorable outcomes following neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation. A number of prospective randomized trials have concluded that "extended" pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer, involving radical dissection of lymph nodes and peripancreatic soft tissue, does not appear to provide any survival benefits compared with "standard" pancreaticoduodenectomy. Conversely, extensive surgery for pancreatic tail or body cancer (i.e., radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy) can result in favorable R0 resection rates and survival outcomes. However, more prospective randomized trial data are required before these conclusions can be considered established. Laparoscopic approaches are being increasingly used in the field of pancreatic tumor surgery. Moreover, robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery has also been tried in some expert centers. Again, at present a lack of outcome data prevent any definitive conclusion at this stage on the usefulness of those approaches compared to standard open approaches. Finally, a major problem hindering efforts to identify optimal surgical treatment modalities for pancreas cancer is the lack of a clear definition and standardization of surgical procedures and pathologic descriptions. The American Hepato- PancreatoBiliary Association/Society of Surgical Oncology/Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract conference on pancreatic cancer held in 2008 resulted in a consensus statement as an important first step in overcoming this fundamental hurdle.

The Dagradi-Serio-Iacono Operation Central Pancreatectomy

Central pancreatectomy (CP) is a segmental pancreatic resection indicated to remove benign or low-grade malignant tumors of the isthmus and proximal part of the body of the pancreas. The main advantage of this operation compared with major resections is that it permits to spare normal pancreatic parenchyma; moreover, spleen and upper digestive and biliary tracts are saved. The description of the complete operation was reported for the first time by Dagradi and Serio in 1984 and subsequently spread worldwide by Iacono and Serio. In our opinion, it should be called the Dagradi–Serio–Iacono operation, by the names of the surgeons who first performed it (Dagradi and Serio), and by the names of the surgeons responsible for reporting it worldwide with precise indications (Iacono and Serio). Operation requires a midline or a bilateral subcostal incision; the lesser sac is entered through dissection of the transverse colon from the omentum or by transecting the gastrocolic ligament. The pancreatic segment harboring the lesion is then mobilized and its posterior surface carefully dissected from the splenic vein and artery. Subsequently, the pancreatic portion harboring the tumor is isolated at its superior margin from the splenic artery after the pancreas is transacted. The extent of the resection of the central segment is limited on the right by the gastroduodenal artery and on the left by the need to leave at least 5 cm of normal pancreatic remnant. The resected pancreatic specimen is sent to the pathologist for confirmation of diagnosis and to check if the resection margins are adequate. Hemostasis of the two raw surfaces is achieved with interrupted 5 or 4/0 nonabsorbable stitches. When it is not stapled, the Wirsung’s duct of the cephalic stump is sutured selectively with a figure-of-eight nonabsorbable stitch. An end-to-end invaginated pancreaticojejunostomy is carried out with a single layer of interrupted stitches. The operation is concluded with the construction of an end-to-side jejuno-jejunostomy about 50 cm distal to the pancreatic anastomosis. Other techniques for reconstruction of the distal stump using jejunum or stomach have been described. One or two soft drains are brought out on the right side. The fluid collected from this drain is checked for amylase level on postoperative days 3, 5, and 7; if the level is low or absent, the drain is removed. Central pancreatectomy is a safe technique for benign or low malignant tumors of the pancreatic neck that allows curing the tumor with evident functional results without increasing the risk for the patient. We can say that CP has a clear role like pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy and we think that a pancreatic surgeon has to include this procedure in his/her technical skills. In order to obtain excellent results, correct indications and experience in pancreatic surgery are recommended.

Minimally invasive surgery of the pancreas in progress

Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery should be considered as an advanced laparoscopic procedure and should be performed only in institutions with experience in pancreatic surgery by a team with advanced laparoscopic skills. This review discusses the current status of the laparoscopic approach for inflammatory pancreatic diseases and for benign-appearing pancreatic tumors. Laparoscopic surgery has been shown to be beneficial in patients with inflammatory tumors located in the body-tail of the pancreas for chronic pancreatitis. Furthermore, patients with pancreatic pseudocysts may be managed with laparoscopic internal drainage (to the stomach, duodenum, or jejunum). Also, laparoscopic or retroperitoneoscopic necrosectomy has been used with success in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis. At present, laparoscopic surgery has proven to be beneficial in patients with cystic pancreatic neoplasms and neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors. The laparoscopic pancreatic approach was recently shown to be feasible and safe. Laparoscopy may contribute to reduced operation time and perioperative blood loss, and reduces surgical stress because of developments in devices, improvements in procedures, and advanced techniques.