Pancreatic Isthmus Research Articles

Surgical Morphology of the Pancreatic Isthmus

Background: Pancreatic isthmus method anastomosis following pancreatic resection is an important factor of postoperative fistula formation. While the anatomy and vascular supply of the pancreatic head have been studied in detail, little is known about the morphology of the pancreatic isthmus. The authors determine the anatomy and morphology of the pancreatic isthmus. Methods: 99 consecutive cadaveric pancreatic specimens were taken during standard autopsy. Organs were transected at the isthmus and pancreatograms and microscopic specimens of the transection plane were analyzed. Results: The mean size of the Wirsung duct at the isthmus was 2.89 mm (±0.87 mm, from 1.4 to 6 mm). The main pancreatic duct was located approximately in the middle of the pancreatic cross-section plane in almost all specimens. The total number of second-degree pancreatic ducts visible on pancreatograms within the isthmus was 1.77 (±1.00, from 0 to 4) and 1.83 (±1.4, from 0 to 5) on microscopic analysis. Conclusions: The presence of seconddegree pancreatic ducts at the transection site might favor the use of a pancreaticoenteric anastomosis with stump invagination to reduce the risk of anastomotic leakage.

Pancreatectomía central: Relato de casos y descripción de la técnica

Central pancreatectomy. Cases report and technique description The conventional techniques of pancreatic resections, most of the time imply in the withdrawal of ex- tensive segments of pancreatic parenchyma, having as possible complications at the long time, the appearance of endocrine or exocrine insufficience. The central pancreatectomy consists in an alternative of pancreatic resection to resect benign or low grade malignant tumours located in the pancreatic isthmus. We present the clinical characteristics, image, and the surgical technique used, for withdraw of pancreatic isthmus nonfunctio- ning pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm and pancreatic serous cystic adenoma.

Le kyste lymphoépithélial du pancréas : à propos d’un nouveau cas

We report the case of a lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas discovered by chance on imaging in a 54-year old man. CT-scan showed a 10 cm hypodense multilocular cystic tumor of the pancreatic isthmus. Fine-needle aspiration did not provide further information. Due to the lack of preoperative diagnosis and mostly because it was not known if the cyst was malignant or benign, the patient underwent a cephalic duodenopancreatectomy. Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas is a rare benign lesion which is difficult to diagnose before surgery. Histologically, the cyst wall is lined by mature keratinizing squamous epithelium and a distinct surrounding lymphoid tissue layer. The cysts are filled with keratin plugs that are not always visualized on imaging. Cytological and histological analysis of fine-needle aspiration material if the sample material is sufficient may help avoid extensive surgery.

CENTRAL PANCREATECTOMY FOR BENIGN PANCREATIC PATHOLOGY/TRAUMA: IS IT A REASONABLE PANCREAS‐PRESERVING CONSERVATIVE SURGICAL STRATEGY ALTERNATIVE TO STANDARD MAJOR PANCREATIC RESECTION?

The aim of this study was to assess the technical feasibility, safety and outcome of central pancreatectomy (CP) with pancreaticogastrostomy or pancreaticojejunostomy in appropriately selected patients with benign central pancreatic pathology/trauma. Benign lesions/trauma of the pancreatic neck and proximal body pose an interesting surgical challenge. CP is an operation that allows resection of benign tumours located in the pancreatic isthmus that are not suitable for enucleation. Between January 2000 and December 2005, eight central pancreatectomies were carried out. There were six women and two men with a mean age of 35.7 years. The cephalic pancreatic stump is oversewn and the distal stump is anastomosed end-to-end with a Roux-en-Y jejunal loop in two and with the stomach in six patients. The indications for CP were: non-functional islet cell tumours in two patients, traumatic pancreatic neck transection in two and one each for insulinoma, solid pseudopapillary tumour, splenic artery pseudoaneurysm and pseudocyst. Pancreatic exocrine function was evaluated by a questionnaire method. Endocrine function was evaluated by blood glucose level. Morbidity rate was 37.5% with no operative mortality. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 10.5 days. Neither of the patients developed pancreatic fistula nor required reoperations or interventional radiological procedures. At a mean follow up of 26.4 months, no patient had evidence of endocrine or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, all the patients were alive and well without clinical and imaging evidence of disease recurrence. When technically feasible, CP is a safe, pancreas-preserving pancreatectomy for non-enucleable benign pancreatic pathology/trauma confined to pancreatic isthmus that allows for cure of the disease without loss of substantial amount of normal pancreatic parenchyma with preservation of exocrine/endocrine function and without interruption of enteric continuity.

Indications and technique of central pancreatectomy—early and late results

Central pancreatectomy (CP) is an operation that allows one to resect benign or low grade malignant tumours located in the pancreatic isthmus that are not suitable for enucleation. The main advantage of this operation compared with major resections is that it permits to spare normal pancreatic parenchyma. The operation is carried out by exposition of the pancreatic neck involved by the lesion. Thereafter, the gland is dissected from the splenic artery and porto-mesenteric axis and divided with a 1 cm clear margin. The cephalic stump is sutured, and the distal stump is anastomosed end-to-end or end-to-side with a Roux-en-Y jejunal loop. We treated 20 patients with this technique. The indications for CP were: serous cystadenoma in seven patients, mucinous in three, solid cystic papillary tumour in one, metastasis from renal cancer in one and endocrine tumour in eight patients. Mortality rate was 0% and morbidity rate was 35%; pancreatic fistulas occurred in 25% of the cases and were treated conservatively. Results of postoperative endocrine and exocrine function tests were normal in all controlled patients. All the patients are alive without evidence of local recurrence. CP is a safe technique for benign or low-grade malignant tumours of the pancreatic neck that allows one to cure the tumour with evident functional results without increasing the risk to the patient.

Papillary process of the caudate lobe of the liver: sonographic appearance.

The papillary process of the caudate lobe of the liver may appear separate from the liver and thus mimic lymph nodes or a pancreatic mass. In order to evaluate the sonographic appearance of this anatomic structure, 400 male and female patients with a mean age of 50 years were studied prospectively by means of ultrasound. The papillary process appeared to be separate from the liver on transverse sonograms in 62 patients (15.5%) and had an egg shape with a maximal transverse diameter of 8-39 mm. In all 62 patients, the papillary process appeared above and in front of the common hepatic artery close to the portal vein and pancreatic isthmus. Enlarged papillary processes were more frequently seen in patients with chronic liver disease. Knowledge of the anatomy, sonographic pattern, and vascular relationships of the papillary process enable its correct identification.