Major Vascular Resection Research Articles

A comparison of laparoscopic to open pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma by propensity score matching analysis

ObjectiveIn previous studies, laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) has demonstrated safety and potential benefits over open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC). After performing both LPD and OPD procedures interchangeably in routine practice for a decade, the outcomes of LPD versus OPD for PDAC were analyzed and compared at a single institution. Our primary aim was to compare features of LPD and OPD in PDAC patients so that the suitable surgical approach may be chosen for each individual. MethodsFrom January 2010 through December 2020, all patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) were identified, and information was collected prospectively. At a single institution, PD was performed on 589 patients, of whom 347 were OPD patients and 242 were LPD patients. After excluding those who underwent pancreatectomy for indications other than PDAC, total pancreatectomy, major vascular or concomitant organ resection, there were 237 patients (OPD = 157, LPD = 80). Then propensity score matching was completed to analyze 77 OPD patients versus 77 LPD patients to create a similar group of patients who underwent either LPD or OPD for PDAC. A comparison of perioperative data and 90-day outcomes with subsequent statistical analysis was performed. ResultsOperative time (491 min vs. 281 min, p < 0.001) was longer for LPD than OPD. The rates of pancreatic fistula (11.7% vs. 0.0%, p < 0.001) and delayed gastric emptying (15.6% vs. 3.9%, p = 0.027) were higher for LPD than OPD respectively but overall morbidity was similar. Blood loss, mortality and post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage were also similar for both groups, but total costs ($60,245 vs. $50,900, p = 0.002) were significantly higher for LPD than OPD. Recurrence and overall survival were similar for the two groups. ConclusionIn our experience, LPD does not offer any advantages over OPD for PDAC and is associated with a higher rate of complications and costs.

Re-evaluation of risk and oncological outcomes of resection of veins and arteries in the resection of pancreatic cancer.

Advances in chemotherapy have led to increasing major vascular resection during pancreatectomy which has been contraindicated due to high morbidity. This study aimed to verify the safety and oncological outcomes of vascular resection during pancreatectomy in the era of neoadjuvant therapy. Data from patients who underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer at Seoul National University Hospital between 2001 and 2021 were reviewed. Clinicopathological outcomes were analyzed according vessel resection. A propensity-score-matched (PSM) analysis was performed to evaluate survival outcomes. Of 1596 patients, the proportion of those who underwent vascular resection increased from 9.2% to 23.4% over time divided into 5-year intervals. There were no differences in major complications (15.6% vs. 13.0%; p = .266) and 30-day mortality rate (0.3% vs. 0.6%; p = .837) between the vascular and nonvascular resection groups. After PSM, the vascular resection group demonstrated comparable survival outcome with the nonvascular resection group (5 year-survival-rate 20.4 vs. 23.7%; p = .194). Arterial resection yielded comparable survival outcome with nonvascular resection (5 year-survival-rate 38.1% vs. 23.7%; p = .138). Appropriate vascular resection-even arterial-is safe and effective in patients carefully selected for radical surgery in the era of neoadjuvant therapy. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal indication and method for vascular resection in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Surgical outcomes of major vascular resection for retroperitoneal liposarcoma from a high‑volume sarcoma center: a propensity score matching analysis

PurposeRadical resection of retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) may necessitate vascular resection and reconstruction. The study was conducted to assess surgical outcomes of surgery for RLPS with major vascular involvement.MethodsPatients with RLPS who underwent surgical resection at the Sarcoma Center of Peking University Cancer Hospital between April 2011 and December 2022 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Patients were classified into two groups: vascular resection and non-vascular resection groups. A propensity score matching analysis was performed to eliminate baseline differences between the groups. Surgical details and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Furthermore, prognostic factors for local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed.ResultsOverall, 199 patients were identified and the median follow-up period was 48 (interquartile range [IQR] 45–69) months. Vascular resection was performed in 42 (21%) patients, 25 of whom had vascular infiltration. A total of 39 patients had vascular replacement and 3 patients underwent partial resection (side-wall resection). Vascular resection was burdened by higher rates of major morbidity (38% vs. 14%, p < 0.001) and 30-day mortality (7.1% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.005). After propensity-matched analysis, patients who underwent vascular resection had 5-year LRFS and OS rates comparable to those without vascular involvement. Major vascular resection was not an independent risk factor for LRFS or OS.ConclusionsAlthough accompanied by increased risks of major morbidity and mortality, the major vascular resection enabled radical resection in patients with advanced RLPS, affording comparable 5-year LRFS and OS rates compared to those who did not.

Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy Combined With Portal-Superior Mesenteric Vein Resection and Reconstruction: Inferior-Posterior "Superior Mesenteric Artery-First" Approach.

Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) with portal-superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV) resection and reconstruction is increasingly performed. We aimed to introduce a safe and effective surgical approach and share our clinical experience with LPD with PV/SMV resection and reconstruction. We reviewed data for the patients undergoing LPD and open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) combined with PV/SMV resection and reconstruction at the First Hospital of Jilin University between April 2021 and May 2023. The inferior-posterior "superior mesenteric artery-first" approach was used. We compared the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative clinicopathological data of the 2 groups to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of LPD with major vascular resection. A cohort of 37 patients with periampullary and pancreatic tumors underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with major vascular resection and reconstruction, consisting of 21 LPDs and 16 OPDs. The LPD group had a longer operation time (322 vs. 235 min, P =0.039), reduced intraoperative bleeding (152 vs. 325mL, P =0.026), and lower intraoperative blood transfusion rates (19.0% vs. 50.0%, P =0.046) compared with the OPD group. The LPD group had significantly shorter operation times in end-to-end anastomosis (26 vs. 15 min, P =0.001) and artificial grafts vascular reconstruction (44 vs. 22 min, P =0.000) compared with the OPD group. There was no significant difference in the rate of R0 resection (100% vs. 87.5%, P =0.096). The length of hospital stay and ICU stay did not show significant differences between the 2 groups (15 vs. 18d, P =0.636 and 2.5 vs. 4.5d, P =0.726, respectively). However, the postoperative hospital stay in the LPD group was notably shorter compared with the OPD group (11 vs. 16d, P =0.007). Postoperative complication rates, including postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) Grade A/B, biliary leakage, and delayed gastric emptying (DGE), were similar between the two groups (38.1% vs. 43.8%, P =0.729). In addition, 1 patient in each group developed thrombosis, with vascular patency improving after anticoagulation treatment. LPD combined with PV/SMV resection and reconstruction can be easily and safely performed using the inferior-posterior "superior mesenteric artery-first" approach in cases of venous invasion. Further studies are required to evaluate the procedure's long-term outcomes.

Improving Surgical Outcomes in Pelvic Exenteration Surgery: Comparison of Prone Sacrectomy With Anterior Cortical Sacrectomy Techniques.

To assess the effect of changing our sacrectomy approach from prone to anterior on surgical and oncological outcomes. In patients with advanced pelvic malignancy involving the sacrum, pelvic exenteration (PE) with en-bloc sacrectomy is the only potential curative option but morbidity is high. Over time sacrectomy techniques have evolved from prone sacrectomy (PS) to abdominolithotomy sacrectomy (ALS, ≤S3) and high anterior cortical sacrectomy (HACS, >S3) to optimize surgical outcomes. A retrospective, single institution analysis of prospectively collected data for patients undergoing PE with en-bloc sacrectomy between 1994 and 2021 was performed. A total of 363 patients were identified and divided into PS (n=77, 21.2%), ALS (n=247, 68.0%), and HACS (n=39, 10.7%). Indications were: locally advanced (n=92) or recurrent (n=177) rectal cancer, primary other (n=31), recurrent other (n=60), and benign disease (n=3). PS resulted in longer operating time ( P <0.01) and more blood loss ( P <0.01). Patients with HACS had more major nerve (87.2%) and vascular (25.6%) resections ( P <0.01). Vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap repair was less common following HACS (7.7%) than ALS (25.5%) and PS (27.3%) ( P =0.040). R0 rate was 80.8%, 65.8%, and 76.9% following ALS, PS, and HACS, respectively ( P =0.024). Wound-related complications and re-operations were significantly reduced following ALS and HACS compared with PS. Changing our practice from PS to an anterior approach with ALS or HAS has been safe and improved overall surgical and perioperative outcomes, while maintaining good oncological outcomes. Given the improved perioperative and surgical outcomes, it would be important for surgeons to learn and adopt the anterior sacrectomy approaches.

Impact of body mass index on perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic major hepatectomies

BackgroundData on the effect of body mass index on laparoscopic liver resections are conflicting. We performed this study to investigate the association between body mass index and postoperative outcomes after laparoscopic major hepatectomies. MethodsThis is a retrospective review of 4,348 laparoscopic major hepatectomies at 58 centers between 2005 and 2021, of which 3,383 met the study inclusion criteria. Concomitant major operations, vascular resections, and previous liver resections were excluded. Associations between body mass index and perioperative outcomes were analyzed using restricted cubic splines. Modeled effect sizes were visually rendered and summarized. ResultsA total of 1,810 patients (53.5%) had normal weight, whereas 1,057 (31.2%) were overweight and 392 (11.6%) were obese. One hundred and twenty-four patients (3.6%) were underweight. Most perioperative outcomes showed a linear worsening trend with increasing body mass index. There was a statistically significant increase in open conversion rate (16.3%, 10.8%, 9.2%, and 5.6%, P < .001), longer operation time (320 vs 305 vs 300 and 266 minutes, P < .001), increasing blood loss (300 vs 300 vs 295 vs 250 mL, P = .022), and higher postoperative morbidity (33.4% vs 26.3% vs 25.0% vs 25.0%, P = .009) in obese, overweight, normal weight, and underweight patients, respectively (P < .001). However, postoperative major morbidity demonstrated a “U”-shaped association with body mass index, whereby the highest major morbidity rates were observed in underweight and obese patients. ConclusionLaparoscopic major hepatectomy was associated with poorer outcomes with increasing body mass index for most perioperative outcome measures.

Distal Pancreatectomy: Extent of Resection Determines Surgical Risk Categories.

Recently, subclassification of pancreatoduodenectomy in 4 differing types has been reported, because additional major vascular and multivisceral resections have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. To classify distal pancreatectomy (DP) based on the extent of resection and technical difficulty and to evaluate postoperative outcomes with regards to this classification system. All consecutive patients who had undergone DP between 2001 and 2020 in a high-volume pancreatic surgery center were included in this study. DPs were subclassified into 4 distinct categories reflecting the extent of resection and technical difficulty, including standard DP (type 1), DP with venous (type 2), multivisceral (type 3), or arterial resection (type 4). Patient characteristics, perioperative data, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed and compared among the 4 groups. A total of 2135 patients underwent DP. Standard DP was the most frequently performed procedure (64.8%). The overall 90-day mortality rate was 1.6%. Morbidity rates were higher in patients with additional vascular or multivisceral resections, and 90-day mortality gradually increased with the extent of resection from standard DP to DP with arterial resection (type 1: 0.7%; type 2: 1.3%; type 3: 3%; type 4: 8.7%; P <0.0001). Multivariable analysis confirmed the type of DP as an independent risk factor for 90-day mortality. Postoperative outcomes after DP depend on the extent of resection and correlate with the type of DP. The implementation of the 4-type classification system allows standardized reporting of surgical outcomes after DP improving comparability of future studies.

The significance of peri-neural invasion in patients with gallbladder carcinoma after curative surgery: a 10year experience in China.

The significance of peri-neural invasion (PNI) in patients with gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) after curative surgery remains unknown. Current study was performed to evaluate the significance of PNI in resected GBC patients in terms of tumor-related biological features and long-term survival. Patients with GBC between September 2010 and September 2020 were reviewed and analyzed. SPSS 25.0 software were used for statistical analysis. A total of 324 resected GBC patients were identified (No. PNI: 64). An elevated preoperative Ca19.9 level (P = 0.001), obstructive jaundice (P = 0.001), liver invasion (P < 0.0001), lymph-vascular invasion (P < 0.0001), lymph-node metastasis (P < 0.0001), and poor or moderate differentiation status (P = 0.036) were more frequently detected in patients with PNI. Major hepatectomy (P = 0.019), bile duct resection (P < 0.0001), combined multi-visceral resections (P = 0.001), and combined major vascular resections and reconstructions (P = 0.002) were also more frequently detected. However, a significantly lower R0 rate (P < 0.0001) was acquired in patients with PNI. Patients with PNI were generally more advanced disease and shared a much worse prognosis even after matching. PNI was an independent prognostic factor of disease-free survival as well as an independent predictor of early recurrence. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy has brought an obvious survival benefit in resected GBC patients with PNI. PNI could be regarded as an indicator of worse prognosis and could serve as an independent predictor of early recurrence. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was correlated with an improved survival for resected GBC patients with PNI. Upcoming multicenter studies covering various races are warranted for further validation.

Complex Vascular Resections for Retroperitoneal Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPSs) are locally aggressive tumors that can compromise major vessels of the retroperitoneum including the inferior vena cava, aorta, or main tributary vessels. Vascular involvement can be secondary to the tumor's infiltrating growth pattern or primary vascular origin. Surgery is still the mainstay for curing this disease, and resection of RPSs may include major vascular resections to secure adequate oncologic results. Our improved knowledge in the tumor biology of RPSs, in conjunction with the growing surgical expertise in both sarcoma and vascular surgical techniques, has allowed for major vascular reconstructions within multi-visceral resections for RPSs with good perioperative results. This complex surgical approach may include the combined work of various surgical subspecialties.

Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy with portal or superior mesenteric vein resection and reconstruction for pancreatic cancer: A single-center experience

BackgroundOpen pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) with portal or superior mesenteric vein resection and reconstruction has been applied in pancreatic cancer patients with tumor infiltration or adherence. However, it is controversial whether laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) with major vascular resection and reconstruction is feasible. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of LPD with major vascular resection compared with OPD with major vascular resection. MethodsWe reviewed data for all pancreatic cancer patients undergoing LPD or OPD with vascular resection at Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, between February 2018 and May 2022. We compared the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative clinicopathological data of the two groups to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of LPD with major vascular resection. ResultsA total of 63 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with portal or superior mesenteric vein resection and reconstruction, including 25 LPDs and 38 OPDs. The LPD group had less intraoperative blood loss (200 vs. 400 mL, P < 0.001), lower proportion of intraoperative blood transfusion (16.0% vs. 39.5%, P = 0.047), longer operation time (390 vs. 334 min, P = 0.004) and shorter postoperative hospital stay (11 vs. 14 days, P = 0.005). There was no perioperative death in all patients. There was no significant difference in the incidence of total postoperative complications, grade B/C postoperative pancreatic fistula, delayed gastric emptying and abdominal infection between the two groups. No postpancreatectomy hemorrhage nor bile leakage occurred during perioperative period. There was no significant difference in R0 resection rate and number of lymph nodes harvested between the two groups. Patency of reconstructed vessels in the two groups were 96.0% and 92.1%, respectively (P = 0.927). ConclusionsLPD with portal or superior mesenteric vein resection and reconstruction was safe, feasible and oncologically acceptable for selected patients with pancreatic cancer, and it can achieve similar or even better perioperative results compared to open approach.

Survival after extended resections for gallbladder cancer.

Locally advanced gallbladder cancer (GBC) is associated with survival limited to a few months. Extended resections (ER) are occasionally performed in this group and outcomes remain inconclusive. This study assessed outcomes after ER for locally advanced GBC. Patients who underwent ER for GBC between 2011 and 2020 were reviewed. ER was defined as a major hepatectomy alone (n = 9), a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with or without minor hepatectomy (n = 3), a major hepatectomy with PD (HPD) (n = 3) or vascular resection and reconstruction (n = 4). We assessed 30-day morbidity, mortality, and 2-year overall survival (OS). Among 19 patients, negative margins were achieved in 14 (73.6%). The 30-day mortality was 1/9 (11.1%) for a major hepatectomy, 0/3 (0%) for a minor HPD, 2/3 (66.7%) for a major HPD, and 1/4 (25.0%) for vascular resection. All short term survivors (< 6 months) (n=8) had preoperative jaundice and 6/8 (75.0%) underwent a major HPD or vascular resection. There were five (26.3%) long term survivors. The median OS in patients with and without preoperative jaundice was 4.1 months (0.7-11.1 months) and 13.7 months (12-30.4 months), respectively (p = 0.009) (2-year OS = 7% vs. 75%; p = 0.008). The median OS in patients who underwent a major hepatectomy alone or a minor HPD was 11.3 months (6.8-17.3 months) versus 1.4 months (0.3-4.1 months) (p = 0.02) in patients who underwent major HPD or vascular resection (2 year OS = 33% vs. not reached) (p = 0.010) respectively. In selected patients with GBC, when ER is limited to a major hepatectomy alone, or a minor HPD, acceptable survival can be achieved.

Venous Resection for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: Time Trend and Outcome Analysis of 80 Consecutive Resections at a High-Volume Center

Introduction: Locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is a highly malignant carcinoma with an extremely poor prognosis. Vascular venous invasion is a frequent finding in patients with pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the morbidity, mortality, and survival of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our experience of 80 consecutive pancreatic surgeries with venous resection for pancreatic cancer in three hospitals: Ramon y Cajal (Madrid, Spain) from 2002 to 2004, Monteprincipe University Hospital (Madrid, Spain) from 2005 to 2006 and Sanchinarro University Hospital (Madrid, Spain) from 2007 to December 2020. Prognostic factors were analyzed by the log-rank test and a multivariate proportional hazard regression analysis. Results: Major venous reconstruction was performed by primary lateral venorrhaphy in 17% of patients, primary end-to-end anastomosis in 70.7% and reconstruction with a Gore-Tex® patch (W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Flagstaff, AZ) in 12.3% of patient. In 58% of the patients, the pathological examination showed infiltration of the vascular specimen. About 85% of the procedures performed were R0. The perioperative morbidity rate with Dindo-Clavien classification = III was 21.5%. Tumor size and nodal status were the only prognostic variables, which significantly decreased survival by a multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Major vascular resection to achieve macroscopic tumor clearance can be performed safely with acceptable operative morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, it is justified only in carefully selected cases.

Survival after Pancreatic Resection in Older Patients with Pancreatic Malignancy

Introduction: Pancreatic malignancies have among the highest mortality rates of solid organ cancers, and there has been a global trend towards an increasing incidence. In the context of an aging population, more older patients will present for consideration of curative resection. Although mortality and morbidity associated with pancreatic resection has improved, there are mixed outcomes reported in the literature regarding survival outcomes for older patients undergoing pancreatectomy. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed including patients ≥75 years of age undergoing pancreatic resection for primary pancreatic malignancy, identified using a prospectively maintained database of a single surgeon’s experience. The primary outcomes were median survival and 5-year overall survival. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay, peri-operative morbidity and mortality, patterns of recurrence and disease-free survival. Results: 41 patients aged ≥75 years were identified from a total of 497 major pancreatic resections for malignancy between 2007 and 2020. The mean age was 80.6 (range 75 - 88) Of these patients, patients underwent pancreacitoduodectomy (n=36), distal pancreatectomy (n=3), total pancreatectomy (n=2) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n=34), ampullary adenocarcinoma (n=5), pancreatic acinar carcinoma (n=1) and invasive microcystic cystadenoma (n=1). 21 patients (51%) had concurrent major vascular resection. The median survival was 24 months, and the 5-year overall survival rate 37%. 30-day and 90-day mortality was 0% and 4.9% (n=2), respectively. Conclusion: Pancreatic resection for malignancy in appropriately selected older adults is safe and confers comparable survival outcomes to the general population. Age alone should not be a contraindication to pancreatectomy.

Vascular Resection for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Current Considerations.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) accounts for approximately 10% of all primary liver cancers. Surgery is the only potentially curative treatment, even in cases of macrovascular invasion. Since resection offers the only curative chance, even extended liver resection combined with complex vascular or biliary reconstruction of the surrounding organs seems justified to achieve complete tumour removal. In selected cases, the major vascular resection is the only change to try getting the cure. The best results are achieved by the referral centre with a wide experience in complex liver surgery, such as ALPPS procedure, IVC resection, and ante-situ and ex-situ resections. However, despite aggressive surgery, tumour recurrence occurs frequently and long-term oncological results are very poor. This suggests that significant progress in prognosis cannot be expected by surgery alone. Instead, multimodal treatment including neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and subsequent adjuvant treatment for iCCA seem to be necessary to improve results.

Oncological outcomes after major vascular resections for primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma

BackgroundThe surgical management of retroperitoneal sarcomas frequently involves complex multivisceral resections, however retroperitoneal liposarcoma (LPS) rarely invade major abdominal vessels. The aim of the study was to assess association of major vascular resections with outcome of primary LPS. MethodsAll consecutive patients who underwent resection at our institutions for primary LPS between 2002 and 2019 were included. A propensity matched analysis was performed, adjusting the groups for the variables of Sarculator, to assess the effect of vascular resection on oncological outcomes. ResultsOverall 425 patients were identified. Twenty-four (5%) patients had vascular resection. At final pathology 18 patients had vascular infiltration, 2 vascular encasement and 4 involvement without infiltration. Vascular resection was associated with longer operative time (480′ vs. 330’; p < 0.001) and greater need for transfusions (4 vs. 0 units; p < 0.001), and was burdened by a higher rate of major complications (54% vs. 25%; p = 0.002). After propensity matched analysis, patients undergoing vascular resection had a lower 5-year OS (60% vs. 81%; p = 0.05), and a higher incidence of local and distant recurrence at 5 years (local: 45% vs. 24%, p = 0.05; distant: 20% vs. 0%, p = 0.04). ConclusionsVascular resection is feasible and safe even in the context of multivisceral resection for primary retroperitoneal liposarcomas, although associated to a higher complication rate. However, the independent association between vascular involvement and a higher risk of local recurrence, distant metastases and death may imply a more aggressive biology, which should be factored in the initial management of this complex disease.

Infrahepatic Inferior Vena Cava Clamping does not Increase the Risk of Pulmonary Embolism Following Hepatic Resection

BackgroundInfrahepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) clamping reduces central venous pressure. However, controversies remain regarding its impact on postoperative complications, particularly, the incidence of postoperative pulmonary embolism (PE). The aim of the study was to determine the impact of IVC clamping on the incidence of PE in patients undergoing hepatectomy.MethodsA pooled analysis of five prospective trials on patients who underwent hepatic resection over a period of 10 years was performed. Patients with infrahepatic IVC clamping were compared to patients without infrahepatic IVC clamping. Outcomes were studied by univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsOf 505 included patients, 141 patients had IVC clamping and 364 patients served as control group. The rate of postoperative PE was comparable between groups (3% vs. 3%; P = 0.762), as were postoperative morbidity (P = 0.932), bile leakage (P = 0.272), posthepatectomy hemorrhage (P = 0.095), and posthepatectomy liver failure (P = 0.605), respectively. No clinicopathological and intraoperative risk factors were found to predict the onset of PE. Subgroup analyses of patients with major hepatectomy and vascular resections confirmed no adverse perioperative outcomes to be associated with IVC clamping.ConclusionsInfrahepatic IVC clamping does not increase the incidence of postoperative PE.

Defining the Risk of Early Recurrence Following Curative-Intent Resection for Distal Cholangiocarcinoma.

Although multidisciplinary treatments including the use of adjuvant therapy (AT) have been adopted for biliary tract cancers, patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) can still experience recurrence. We sought to characterize the incidence and predictors of early recurrence (ER) that occurred within 12 months following surgeryfor DCC. Patients who underwent resection for DCC between 2000 and 2015 were identified from the US multi-institutional database. Cox regression analysis was used to identify clinicopathological factors to develop anER risk score, and the predictive model was validated in an external dataset. Among 245 patients included in the analysis, 67 patients (27.3%) developed ER. No difference was noted in ER rates between patients who did and did not receive AT (28.7% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.55). Multivariable analysis revealed that neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), peak total bilirubin (T-Bil), major vascular resection (MVR), lymphovascular invasion, and R1 surgical margin status were associated with a higher ER risk. A DIstal Cholangiocarcinoma Early Recurrence Score was developed according to each factor available prior to surgery [NLR > 9.0 (2 points); peak T-bil > 1.5 mg/dL (1 points); MVR (2 points)]. Cumulative ER rates incrementally increased among patients who were low (0 points; 10.6%), intermediate (1-2 points; 26.8%), or high (3-5 points; 57.6%) risk (p < 0.001) in the training dataset, as well as in the validation dataset [low (0 points); 3.4%, intermediate (1-2 points); 32.7%, or high risk (3-5 points); 55.6% (p < 0.001)]. Among patients undergoing resection for DCC, 1 in 4 patients experienced an ER. Alternative treatment strategies such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be considered especially among individuals deemed to be at high risk for ER.

Resectional surgery in gallbladder cancer with jaundice-how to improve the outcome?

To evaluate the surgical outcomes of patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC) with jaundice due to as-yet unelucidated prognostic factors. A total of 348 GBC patients underwent resection at our institute between 1985 and 2016. Of these, 67 had jaundice (serum total bilirubin ≥ 2 mg/dL). Preoperative biliary drainage was performed, with portal vein embolization as required. All patients underwent radical surgery. We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes, performed multivariate analysis for overall survival, and compared our findings to those reported in the literature. The 5-year survival rate of M0 (no distant metastasis) GBC patients with jaundice, who underwent resectional surgery, was 21.9%, versus 68.3% in those without jaundice (p < 0.05). Since 2000, surgical mortality in GBC patients with jaundice has decreased from 12 to 6.8%. Patients with jaundice had more advanced disease and underwent major hepatectomies and vascular resections; however, preoperative jaundice alone was not a prognostic factor. Multivariate analysis of jaundiced patients revealed that percutaneous biliary drainage (PTBD) (vis-à-vis endoscopic drainage [EBD], hazard ratio [HR] 2.82), postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ 3, HR 2.31), and distant metastasis (HR 1.85) were predictors of poor long-term survival. The 5-year survival and peritoneal recurrence rates in M0 patients with jaundice were 16% and 44%, respectively, for patients with PTBD and 39% (p < 0.05) and 13% (p = 0.07) for those with EBD. M0 GBC patients with jaundice should undergo surgery if R0 resection is possible. Preoperative EBD may be superior to PTBD in M0 GBC patients with jaundice, although further studies are needed.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of contemporary pancreas surgery with arterial resection

ObjectiveAdvances in multimodality treatment paralleled increasing numbers of complex pancreatic procedures with major vascular resections. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the current outcomes of arterial resection (AR) in pancreatic surgery.MethodsA systematic literature search was carried out from January 2011 until January 2020. MOOSE guidelines were followed. Predefined outcomes were morbidity, pancreatic fistula, postoperative bleeding and delayed gastric emptying, reoperation rate, mortality, hospital stay, R0 resection rate, and lymph node positivity. Duration of surgery, blood loss, and survival were also analyzed.ResultsEight hundred and forty-one AR patients were identified in a cohort of 7111 patients. Morbidity and mortality rates in these patients were 66.8% and 5.3%, respectively. Seven studies (579 AR patients) were included in the meta-analysis. Overall morbidity (48% vs 39%, p = 0.1) and mortality (3.2% vs 1.5%, p = 0.27) were not significantly different in the groups with or without AR. R0 was less frequent in the AR group, both in patients without (69% vs 89%, p < 0.001) and with neoadjuvant treatment (50% vs 86%, p < 0.001). Weighted median survival was shorter in the AR group (18.6 vs 32 months, range 14.8–43.1 months, p = 0.037).ConclusionsArterial resections increase the complexity of pancreatic surgery, as demonstrated by relevant morbidity and mortality rates. Careful patient selection and multidisciplinary planning remain important.

Outcomes of extended radical resections for locally advanced and recurrent pelvic malignancy involving the aortoiliac axis.

Currently, there is no clear consensus on the role of extended pelvic resections for locally advanced or recurrent disease involving major vascular structures. The aims of this study were to report the outcomes of consecutive patients undergoing extended resections for pelvic malignancy involving the aortoiliac axis. Prospective data were collected on patients having extended radical resections for locally advanced or recurrent pelvic malignancies, with aortoiliac axis involvement, requiring en bloc vascular resection and reconstruction, at a single institution between 2014 and 2018. Eleven patients were included (median age 60years; range 31-69years; seven women). The majority required resection of both arterial and venous systems (n=8), and the technique for vascular reconstruction was either interposition grafts or femoral-femoral crossover grafts. The median operative time was 510min (range 330-960min). Clear resection margins (R0) were achieved in nine patients. The median length of stay was 25days (range 7-83days). Seven patients did not suffer an early complication. There was one serious complication (Clavien-Dindo≥3), an arterial graft occlusion secondary to thrombus in the immediate postoperative period, requiring a return to theatre and thrombectomy. The median length of follow-up in this study was 22months (range 4-58months). This series demonstrates that en bloc major vascular resection and reconstruction can be performed safely and can achieve clear resection margins in selected patients with locally advanced or recurrent pelvic malignancy at specialist surgery centres.