Whipple Group Research Articles

Surgical Approach and Length of Stay in Octogenarians Undergoing Pancreatic Resection for Malignancy.

Pancreatic surgery often has a lengthy recovery in the elderly. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) can decrease length of stay (LOS), but it is unknown if this benefit applies to octogenarians (Age > 79). The NSQIP database was used to determine if MIS approaches were associated with reduced LOS among octogenarians undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple) or distal pancreatectomy (Distal). Operative approaches were classified as "Open" or "MIS" and propensity score (PS) matching was performed. For the Whipple, 1665 Open and 101 MIS procedures occurred (median LOS 9, 8 days, p = 0.584). For Distal, 472 Open and 223 MIS procedures occurred (median LOS 6, 5 days, p < 0.01). After PS matching, there were 202 Whipple (101 per group) and 446 Distal (223 per group) patients. There was no difference in LOS by approach in the Whipple group (p = 0.546). The median LOS was 9 (IQR 7-15), Open and 8 (IQR 6-13), MIS. For Distal, there was a difference in LOS in the Open versus MIS approach (p < 0.01) and the median LOS was 6 (IQR 5-8) and 5 (IQR 4-6). Among octogenarians the MIS approach was associated with decreased LOS in distal pancreatectomies, but not in pancreaticoduodenectomies.

Delayed Gastric Emptying and Other Adverse Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Classic Whipple Versus Pylorus-Sparing Pancreatoduodenectomy.

Background and objective Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), or the Whipple procedure, has many variants. There is a lack of data in the literature in terms of comparing various types of this procedure. This study aimed to comparethe classic Whipple procedure with the pylorus-sparing Transverso-Longmire technique, focusing on postoperative complications and delayed gastric emptying (DGE). Methodology We conducted a retrospective observational study including 97 adult patients who underwent either the classic Whipple procedure or the pylorus-sparing technique at Hospital Médica Sur from 2016 to 2021. Data on patient demographics, comorbidities, type of surgery, clinical presentation, and postoperative complications were collected. DGE was defined according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery(ISGPS) criteria. Results Among the 97 patients, 50.5% were men, and the median age of the cohort was 65 years. Almost all patients underwent surgery for malignancy (96.9%). The classic Whipple group had fewer cases of DGE (9.8% vs. 30.6%, p=0.01), shorter hospital stays (7 vs. 11 days, p=0.001), and lower readmission rates (13.1% vs. 33.3%, p=0.017). The pylorus-sparing PD was associated with a lower incidence of bile leak [odds ratio (OR)=0.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.53-0.73]. However, this technique was associated with a higher incidence of DGE (OR=4, 95% CI: 1.34-12.1), overall hospital admission rates (OR=3.3, 95% CI: 1.2-9.2), and admissions that resulted in a surgical event (OR=1.9, 95% CI: 1.21-2.96). DGE was associated with the need for a second surgery (OR=10.5, 95% CI: 2.8-39.5) and hospital readmission (OR=10, 95% CI: 3.1-32.3). Conclusions While the pylorus-sparing technique is associated with reduced bile leaks, it results in a higher incidence of DGE, prolonged hospital stays, and increased readmissions. Clinicians opting for the pylorus-sparing technique should ensure careful patient selection and rigorous postoperative monitoring.

Duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection compared to pancreaticoduodenectomy: Asystematic review and network meta-analysis of surgical outcomes.

In this systemic review and network meta-analysis, we investigated pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD), and different modifications of duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR) to evaluate the efficacy of different surgical procedures. A systemic search of six databases was conducted to identify studies comparing PD, PPPD, and DPPHR for treating pancreatic head benign and low-grade malignant lesions. Meta-analyses and network meta-analyses were performed to compare different surgical procedures. A total of 44 studies were enrolled in the final synthesis. Three categories of a total of 29 indexes were investigated. The DPPHR group had better working ability, physical status, less loss of body weight, and less postoperative discomfort than the Whipple group, while both groups had no differences inquality of life (QoL), pain scale scores, and other 11 indexes. Network meta-analysis of a single procedure found that DPPHR had a larger probability of best performance in seven of eight analyzed indexes than PD or PPPD. DPPHR and PD/PPPD have equal effects on improving QoL and pain relief, while PD/PPPD has more severe symptoms and more complications after surgery. PD, PPPD, and DPPHR procedures exhibit different strengths in treating pancreatic head benign and low-grade malignant lesions. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42022342427.

The impact of pylorus preservation on the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease after pancreaticoduodenectomy: A historical cohort study.

The pathophysiology and associated factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remain elusive. We aimed to investigate these factors, including the operation type, for NAFLD development after PD. This historical cohort study included 786 consecutive patients treated with either classic Whipple operation or pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) in Korea between 2012 and 2018. De novo NAFLD was determined based on hepatic attenuation in nonenhanced computed tomography during follow-up. Of the 786 patients, 216 (27.5%) had a newly developed NAFLD at 2 years after PD. The incidences of newly developed NAFLD at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 years were 13 (1.7%), 41 (5.2%), 48 (6.1%), and 114 (14.5%), respectively. The Whipple group showed a significantly higher incidence of NAFLD than the PPPD group (40.3% vs 24.5%, P < .001). Seventeen patients (2.2%) had severe fatty liver with abnormal liver enzymes. Multivariable analysis revealed that Whipple operation (vs PPPD; adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.92, P < .001) and high preoperative body mass index (vs normal; AOR: 1.71, P=.001) were independently associated with a higher risk of NAFLD. The incidence of NAFLD was 27.5% at 2 years after PD. Undergoing Whipple operation and high preoperative body mass index were significantly associated with de novo NAFLD development.

Quality of life analysis after Whipple procedure. Retrospective cohort study

Introduction: Patient reported outcomes establish the patient’s own perception about his/her health and enable the development of policies designed to improve health/disease processes. These are particularly helpful in the case of diseases with a significant impact on the patient’s quality of life.&#x0D; Objective: To compare the quality of life scores assessed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire in patients undergoing cephalic duodenopancreatectomy (Whipple procedure) and laparoscopic cholecystectomies in the same hospital.&#x0D; Methodology: Retrospective cohort trial between July 2018 and February 2020. Patients programmed for cephalic duodenopancreatectomy were included, regardless of the type of pathology, and over 18 years old. Patients with carcinomatosis or vascular infiltration were excluded. The EQ-5D-5L was administered following Whipple surgery and compared against a control group (laparoscopic cholecystectomy). The demographic characteristics, the diagnosis, hospital stay and 60-day mortality were assessed.&#x0D; Results: A total of 68 patients were included. The most frequent diagnosis was pancreatic cancer (30 %) in the Whipple group and lithiasis (100 %) in the control group. In the five dimensions assessed, there were no differences in terms of mobility (OR: 0.41, 95 % CI [0.30-0.57], p = 0.103) and in terms of personal care (OR: 0.42, 95 % CI [0.32-0.58], p = 0.254). There was a difference in daily life activities (OR: 0.38, 95 % CI [0.27-0.54], p = 0.017), pain/malaise (OR: 2.33, 95 % CI [0.99-5.48]), p = 0.013 and anxiety/depression (OR: 0.39, 95 % CI [0.28-0.55], p = 0.019). The overall health perception was 80 points for Whipple (IQR 60-90) vs. 100 points for the control group (IQR 90-100).&#x0D; Conclusions: Patients undergoing a Whipple procedure experience a health perception slightly lower than patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This difference may be associated with increased pain, anxiety/depression and a reduction in their activities of daily life. The administration of the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire to measure quality of life is a friendly tool that used be used routinely to plan activities aimed at improving medical care.

A pilot RCT of sarcopenia-focused prehabilitation in pancreas cancer.

TPS10127 Background: Now the 3rd leading cause of US cancer deaths, pancreatic cancer (PanC) incidence is rising. Surgery is the only chance at cure, but sarcopenia (low muscle mass, strength, function) can eliminate surgical and chemotherapy options, and independently predicts poor outcomes. Strengthening (Str) with protein combats sarcopenia of aging, and pre-op exercise (prehab) benefits other cancer survivors. But the impact of Str in a brief pre-Whipple window, and a host with PanC-mediated catabolism, is unknown. We aim to quantify the post-op QoL impact of adding Str to our standard clinical aerobic instruction before Whipple for pancreatic head and related cancers. Methods: Pilot RCT of 130 PanC survivors age 30+ randomized (stratified by neo-chemo) to 2 home-based prehab arms: Standard/NPRE = aerobic + protein, or Sarcopenia/SPRE = Standard + Str. To explore PanC-sarcopenia as moderating Str's impact, a 3rd pre-malignancy Whipple group (p-mal, n=50) also receives SPRE. All participants get protein and exercise instruction personalized to baseline status, adherence diaries, actigraphy, and phone follow-up in pre-op period only. Endpoints are QoL (primary) as Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT), performance as 6 Minute Walk (6MW) &amp; Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB); and self-reported symptoms &amp; activities of daily living (ADL). Assessments at baseline, 1-3 days pre-op, and post-op week 4 &amp; month 4 (primary) are blind. Sarcopenia measures are clinical (dynamometry, bioimpedance, CT body composition) and preclinical (ZIP4/ catabolic mediators in blood, muscle, tumor &amp; duodenum). Analyses: QoL change at post-op month 4 will be compared across PanC arms (SPRE &amp; NPRE) with mixed-models before Baron-Kenny and Preacher/Hayes' mediator analyses. To explore impact of PanC catabolic host environment on Str, outcomes will be compared by SPRE group (PanC &amp; p-mal). To our knowledge, this is the first PanC prehab RCT with sarcopenia focus, comprehensive mechanistic approach, and high dose (60 min daily)/short duration (2-3 week) intervention. With local feasibility established, we continue to accrue (n=30), and seek multicenter collaboration to target NCI funding. Clinical trial information: pending - in submission.

Is transduodenal resection for duodenal adenomas adequate?

Objective: Duodenal adenomas (DAs) are uncommon occurrences with malignant potential. The optimal surgical management of DAs remain controversial. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 27 patients at a single institution who received either a Whipple procedure (40.7%) or a transduodenal resection (TDR) (59.3%) for ampullary and nonampullary duodenal adenomas. Perioperative and postoperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: Both groups had similar demographics. Median operative time and median estimated blood loss (EBL) were longer in the Whipples group than the TDR group. Mean length of stay was longer in the Whipple group vs TDR group (12 vs 7 days). 3 patients (18.7%) who received TDRs developed recurrent adenomas. Two of these patients subsequently received a Whipple procedure. This is summarized in Table 1. Conclusion: Although TDR has the perioperative advantages of less operative time, less EBL and less hospital length of stay, our experience demonstrates that TDR may be inferior to the Whipple procedure for duodenal adenomas due to high recurrence rates.Table 1Whipple (n=11)Transduodenal resection (n=16)Median duration of surgery (min)248120Median estimated blood loss (mL)300100Mean length of stay (Days)137RecurrencesN/A18.7% Open table in a new tab

Quality of life and impact of bile reflux after retro colic retro gastric gastrojejunostomy in Whipple surgery

BackgroundDelayed gastric emptying and bile reflux are common concerns in long-term survivors after Whipple surgery. The study was designed to assess modified retro colic retro gastric gastrojejunostomy in reducing macro and microscopic bile reflux and impact on dyspepsia related quality of life in long-term survivors.MethodsOut of 43 patients operated, 23 long-term survivors were included. All underwent gastroscopy and bile reflux was grouped as normal, yellowish bile lakes and presence of greenish bile lakes. Six standard gastric biopsies were taken. Microscopic bile reflux index (BRI) was calculated and a score more than 14 was considered significant. Validated Nepean dyspepsia index-short form (NDI-SF) was used to assess the severity of dyspepsia-related quality of life and compared with age and gender-matched control.ResultsThe median age was 48 (21–70) years. Median survival of the group was 37 months (6–40). Endoscopically, 20/23 (87%) had macroscopic bile reflux (74% yellowish bile lakes, 13% greenish bile lakes). None had stomal ulcers or macroscopic inflammation. Mean bile reflux index score was 9.7 (range 1.77–34). Mean NDI–SF score of Whipple group was 23.1 (SD 8.88). In controls, mean score was 19.9 (SD 8.23), showing no significant difference (p = 0.245).ConclusionsThough there was macroscopic bile reflux, clinical symptoms and microscopic changes were minimal. The modified technique had good long-term results.

Palliation With Endoscopic Metal Stents May Be Preferable to Surgical Intervention for Patients With Obstructive Pancreatic Head Adenocarcinoma.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopically placed metal stents in comparison with operative procedures, in patients with obstructive pancreatic head cancer. Endoscopic stenting techniques and materials for gastrointestinal malignancies are constantly improving. Despite this evolution, many still consider operative procedures to be the gold standard for palliation in patients with unresectable obstructive pancreatic head cancer. This is a retrospective study of 52 patients who were diagnosed with obstructive (biliary, duodenal, or both) adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. Twenty-nine patients (endoscopy group) underwent endoscopic stenting. Eleven patients (bypass group) underwent biliodigestive bypass. Twelve patients (Whipple group) underwent Whipple operation with curative intent; however, histopathology revealed R1 resection (palliative Whipple). T4 disease was identified in 13 (44.8%), 7 (63.6%), and 3 (25%) patients in the endoscopy, bypass, and Whipple groups, respectively. Metastatic disease was present only in the endoscopy group (n = 12; 41.3%). There was no intervention-related mortality. Median survival was 280 days [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 103, 456 days], 157 days (95% CI, 0, 411 days), and 647 days (95% CI, 300, 993 days) for the endoscopy, bypass, and Whipple groups, respectively (P = 0.111). In patients with obstructive pancreatic head cancer, endoscopic stenting may offer equally good palliation compared with surgical double bypass. The numerically (not statistically) better survival after palliative Whipple might be explained by the smaller tumor burden in this subgroup of patients and not by the superior efficacy of this operation.

Different surgical strategies for chronic pancreatitis significantly improve long-term outcome: a comparative single center study

ObjectiveIn general, chronic pancreatitis (CP) primarily requires conservative treatment. The chronic pain syndrome and complications make patients seek surgical advice, frequently after years of progression. In the past, surgical procedures involving drainage as well as resection have been employed successfully. The present study compared the different surgical strategies.Patients and MethodsFrom March 2000 until April 2005, a total of 51 patients underwent surgical treatment for CP at the Department of surgery, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck. Out of those 51 patients, 39 (76.5%) were operated according to the Frey procedure, and in 12 cases (23.5%) the Whipple procedure was performed. Patient data were documented prospectively throughout the duration of the hospital stay. The evaluation of the postoperative pain score was carried out retrospectively with a validated questionnaire.ResultsAverage operating time was 240 minutes for the Frey group and 411 minutes for the Whipple group. The medium number of blood transfusions was 1 in the Frey group and 4.5 in the Whipple group. Overall morbidity was 21% in the Frey group and 42% in the Whipple group. 30-day mortality was zero for all patients. During the median follow-up period of 50 months, an improvement in pain score was observed in 93% of the patients of the Frey group and 67% of the patients treated according to the Whipple procedure.ConclusionThe results show that both the Frey procedure as well as partial pancreaticoduodenectomy are capable of improving chronic pain symptoms in CP. As far as later endocrine and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is concerned, however, the extended drainage operation according to Frey proves to be advantageous compared to the traditional resection procedure by Whipple. Accordingly, the Frey procedure provides us with an organ-preserving surgical procedure which treats the complications of CP sufficiently, thus being an alternative to partial pancreaticoduodenectomy if there is no suspicion of malignancy.

Resección conservadora de la región duodenopancreática en el tratamiento del tumor papilar mucinoso intraductal

The standard surgical procedure for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the main duct (IPMN-M) or side branch ducts (IPMN-Br) is pancreaticoduodenectomy. IPMN-BR is a more indolent disease with a lower incidence of malignancy. To evaluate the usefulness of organ-preserving pancreatic resections (OPPR) including duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPHR) and pancreatic head resection with segmental duodenectomy (PHRSD) in patients with IPMN-BR. Surgical outcomes were evaluated in eight IPMN-Br patients: DPHR was performed in 4 patients and PHRSD was performed in 4 patients. In addition, 13 IPMN patients with Whipple resections were included in the analysis. The incidence of postoperative complications was 38% after Whipple resection, 100% after DPHR and 25% after PHRSD. The mean length of hospital stay was 27 days after DPHR, 22 days after Whipple resection and 16 days after PHRSD. Invasive IPMN was found in 38% of the patients in the Whipple group, and noninvasive IPMN was found in 100% of patients who underwent organ-preserving surgery. Pancreaticoduodenectomy remains the treatment of choice in patients with invasive IPMN. PHRSD appears to be a useful procedure for IPMN-Br located in the head of the pancreas.

Pancreatoduodenectomy with pylorus preservation for adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas.

For many years, the classical Whipple procedure has been the standard operative treatment for resectable periampullary cancer. Recently, the pylorus preservation operation has also been applied to periampullary tumours. This newer procedure has potential advantages in terms of ease of performance and postoperative physiology, but has yet to be proved as an adequate cancer operation. We, therefore, undertook the present retrospective analysis to compare the outcome following the pylorus preservation operation (n = 13) with that of the classical Whipple resection (n = 13) in 26 patients with histologically proved adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas. The two groups of patients were comparable for age, sex, pre-operative laboratory data, and resected margins free from tumour. More patients undergoing the classical Whipple resection had Stage I disease (10 versus 4, P less than 0.05). However, this difference would not be significant if the two patients in the pylorus preservation group with carcinomas in situ were considered to have stage I disease. Mean tumour diameter in the pylorus preservation patient group (3.2 +/- 0.6 cm) was smaller (P less than 0.05) than in the classical Whipple group (4.1 +/- 1.0 cm) but more patients in the pylorus preservation group also had metastases to the regional lymph nodes (54 versus 23 per cent). Overall operative morbidity (31 per cent) and mortality (4 per cent) was acceptable and did not differ between the two groups. Five year actuarial survival for pylorus preservation (25 per cent) was comparable to that observed for the Whipple procedure in this and other series.

Observations of the Crab Nebula with the HEGRA system of IACTs in convergent mode using a topological trigger

Routine observations of the Crab Nebula for a total of about 250 h, performed with the HEGRA stereoscopic system of five imaging atmospheric Čerenkov telescopes in the standard operational mode, have proven the energy threshold of the system to be 500 GeV for small zenith angles ( θ⩽20°). A topological trigger applied along with the convergent observational mode allows to reduce noticeably the energy threshold of the system down to 350 GeV. Here we present the relevant Monte Carlo simulations as well as the analysis results of 15 h Crab Nebula data taken in such an observational mode. From the Crab Nebula data, the final energy threshold was found to be 350 GeV. The estimated γ-ray flux from the Crab Nebula above 350 GeV is (8.1±0.1 stat±0.2 syst)×10 −11 ph cm −2 s −1, which is consistent with recent measurements reported by the STACEE, CELESTE, CAT, and Whipple groups.

Markarian 421: Te V Gamma-ray Flares and VLBI Structure

AbstractPhotons spanning over 17 decades in energy have been detected from Markarian 421. The discovery of &gt;100 MeV photons by the EGRET instrument on board the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory led to the discovery of &gt;300 GeV photons by the Whipple group using the air Čerenkov method. In May 1996 the source underwent an unprecedented outburst at these energies, inspiring observations with the VLBA to determine whether such high energy flares are associated with changes in the milliarcsecond structure of this BL Lac object.

Node-positive duodenal carcinoma is curable.

To document our experience with duodenal carcinoma during the past 15 years to ascertain optimal treatment. A retrospective case series. A tertiary care referral center. A consecutive sample of 24 patients, 17 men and 7 women, with duodenal carcinoma was evaluated during the 15 years ending in December 1992. Ages ranged from 44 to 81 years. All patients were available for follow-up for a minimum of 20 months. Therapy included 15 radical pancreaticoduodenectomies (Whipple procedures), 7 bypass operations, and 2 segmental resections. Tumor staging and survival. Segmental resections were performed in 2 patients, bypass operations in 7, and Whipple procedures in 15. One patient in each of the bypass and Whipple groups died postoperatively. All other patients who underwent bypass and segmental resection died of cancer. Of 14 patients surviving a Whipple procedure, 9 continue to survive with an average follow-up of 77 months. Four of these patients had lymph nodes involved with cancer and have survived for longer than 5 years. Adenocarcinoma of the duodenum gives rise to nonspecific gastrointestinal tract symptoms, and diagnosis is often delayed. Despite this delay, the Whipple procedure may still be curative for patients with positive lymph nodes, a fact poorly appreciated in the surgical literature. The role of segmental resection for distal duodenal tumors is unclear.

Laparoscopic pancreatic resection: is it worthwhile?

A series of 23 patients who had undergone an attempted laparoscopic Whipple (n = 10) or laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (n = 9) or laparoscopic enucleation (n = 4) since January 1992 were retrospectively reviewed. In the laparoscopic Whipple group (6 women and 4 men; mean age 71 [range 33 to 82] years), eight had malignant periampullary tumors and two had chronic pancreatitis. The rate of conversion to an open procedure was 40%, and complications were seen in the nonconverted group. The average operative time was 8.5 hours, and the hospital stay was 22.3 days. However, in the laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and enucleation groups, there were seven women and six men (mean age 46.5 [range 27 to 75] years). Of these, nine patients had a planned laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (8 for islet cell tumors and 1 for chronic pancreatitis) and four had a planned laparoscopic enucleation (all 4 for islet cell tumors). The conversion rate for these patients was 36%, and the mean operative time was 4.5 hours for laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and 3 hours for laparoscopic enucleation. The hospital stay was 5 days and 4 days, respectively. Although this series was small, no benefit seemed to be derived from the use of a complete laparoscopic Whipple procedure. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and enucleation were technically easier to perform and seemed to benefit patients by shortening their hospital stay with no recurrence of disease.

Laparoscopic pancreatic resection: Is it worthwhile?

A series of 23 patients who had undergone an attempted laparoscopic Whipple (n = 10) or laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (n = 9) or laparoscopic enucleation (n = 4) since January 1992 were retrospectively reviewed. In the laparoscopic Whipple group (6 women and 4 men; mean age 71 [range 33 to 82] years), eight had malignant periampullary tumors and two had chronic pancreatitis. The rate of conversion to an open procedure was 40%, and complications were seen in the nonconverted group. The average operative time was 8.5 hours, and the hospital stay was 22.3 days. However, in the laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and enucleation groups, there were seven women and six men (mean age 46.5 [range 27 to 75] years). Of these, nine patients had a planned laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (8 for islet cell tumors and 1 for chronic pancreatitis) and four had a planned laparoscopic enucleation (all 4 for islet cell tumors). The conversion rate for these patients was 36%, and the mean operative time was 4.5 hours for laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and 3 hours for laparoscopic enucleation. The hospital stay was 5 days and 4 days, respectively. Although this series was small, no benefit seemed to be derived from the use of a complete laparoscopic Whipple procedure. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and enucleation were technically easier to perform and seemed to benefit patients by shortening their hospital stay with no recurrence of disease.

Nutritional status and function in patients following Whipple procedure compared with controls.

Despite the potential for nutritional deficits in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy or Whipple procedure, long-term assessment of nutritional status has largely been ignored. This study assessed nutritional status of 24 Whipple patients compared with matched post-cholecystectomy controls. Clinical assessment was by subjective global assessment, body composition was assessed by bioelectric impedance analysis and functional assessment was by respiratory muscle strength and skeletal muscle function performed by electrical stimulation of the ulnar nerve of the wrist and hand-grip dynamometry. Whipple patients studied 4.6+/-0.7 years since surgery and controls (4.8+/-0.7 years since surgery) were all judged clinically to be in a good nutritional state. Compared with controls, Whipple patients had significantly lower body weight (Whipple: 72.5+/-2.8 kg, control: 83.9+/-3.3 kg, p<0.05) however, the mean body weight of both Whipple and controls was above ideal weight (Whipple: 113.3+/-4.3%, control: 122.3+/-3.7% p = NS). No significant differences in functional performance were observed between groups. Energy intake of Whipple and controls was also comparable. In the Whipple group, neither the extent of gastric resection or the pathological diagnosis had an effect on the nutritional parameters studied. Long-term follow-up of patients having undergone Whipple procedure failed to reveal the presence of any nutritional or functional deficits suggesting that a full nutritional recovery is possible after this surgery.

Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater

To assess the overall prognosis of patients with ampullary carcinomas and evaluate the presentation, diagnosis, pathology and management of these potentially highly curable tumours, attempting to relate these factors to overall survival. Forty patients with ampullary carcinoma were reviewed. Age, Sex, nature and duration of history, laboratory information at admission, results of diagnostic radiology, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograms and pathological findings were considered. Both curative and palliative management strategies were reviewed. The overall median survival was 19 months. The median duration of history was 5.9 +/- 5.4. weeks, with no significant difference in survival between patients with short and those with long histories (P = 0.46). Twenty nine (73%) patients were potentially resectable, but only 15 (37%) underwent potentially curative surgery. The difference in survival between the Whipple's (13) and the endoscopically stented (20 ) groups was not significant (p = 0.08). The Whipple's group were significantly younger than the stented group (P = 0.001) and had a significant operative morbidity, re-operation rate (38%) and post-operative mortality (15%). Only five of 13 patients were alive following Whipple's treatment after a mean follow-up of 18.9 months. Sphincterotomy before Whipple's treatment improved survival significantly (P = 0.04); absence of jaundice, exophytic macroscopic appearance, well-differentiated tumours and early stage were also associated with good survival. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has a high diagnostic yield and a low associated morbidity and mortality, with endoscopic papillectomy aiding cannulation while effective palliation was provided through stenting, endoscopic papillectomy and laser debulking of obstructing tumours. Little benefit was obtained from chemoradiotherapy. Despite the potential for curative resection in patients with ampullary carcinoma, the majority of such patients are unsuitable for curative surgery on grounds of age, general health status or advanced disease; since only 37% of patients undergo potentially curative surgery the condition has a poor prognosis.

Quality of life, nutritional status, and gastrointestinal hormone profile following the whipple procedure

To compare the quality of life, nutritional status, and gastrointestinal profiles of post-Whipple patients and postcholecystectomy patients. A cross-sectional survey of post-Whipple procedure patients and age- and sex-matched postcholecystectomy patients was performed. Quality of life was assessed using six instruments: Time Trade-off Technique, Direct Questioning of Objectives, Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index, Sickness Impact Profile, Physician Global Assessment, and Visick Scale. A gastrointestinal symptomatology questionnaire was completed. Nutritional status was assessed by weight, the Subjective Global Assessment instrument, and skin anthropometry. Fasting and postprandial serum gastrin, somatostatin, insulin, pancreatic glucagon, enteroglucagon, and pancreatic polypeptide were measured. The quality of life and gastrointestinal function of the Whipple patients was excellent and was not significantly different from that of the control subjects. There were no significant differences in gastrointestinal symptomatology although 5 Whipple patients complained of greasy bowel movements, and 1 patient reported difficulty maintaining weight. Despite this, nutritional status was within normal limits in all subjects. Six patients in the Whipple group followed a diabetic diet, 1 required insulin, and 3 required an oral hypoglycemic agent, whereas none of the control subjects were diabetic. There were no significant differences in the mean basal, peak, or integrated postprandial responses of the gut hormones with the exception of pancreatic polypeptide and gastrin (in patients having a standard Whipple procedure only). Quality of life and nutritional status are excellent in patients following a Whipple procedure.