International Hepato-Pancreato-Billiary Association (IHPBA) registry study on COVID-19 infections in HPB surgery patients.

BACKGROUND: In response to the pandemic, the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (IHPBA) developed the IHPBA-COVID Registry to capture data on HPB surgery outcomes in COVID-positive patients prior to mass vaccination programs. The aim was to provide a tool to help members gain a better understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on patient outcomes following HPB surgery worldwide. METHODS: An online registry updated in real time was disseminated to all IHPBA, E-AHPBA, A-HPBA and A-PHPBA members to assess the effects of the pandemic on the outcomes of HPB procedures, perioperative COVID-19 management and other aspects of surgical care. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-five patients from 35 centres in 18 countries were included. Seventy-three (58%) patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 preoperatively. Operative mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy and major hepatectomy was 28% and 15%, respectively, and 2.5% after cholecystectomy. Postoperative complication rates of pancreatic procedures, hepatic interventions and biliary interventions were respectively 80%, 50% and 37%. Respiratory complication rates were 37%, 31% and 10%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study reveals a high risk of mortality and complication after HPB surgeries in patient infected with COVID-19. The more extensive the procedure, the higher the risk. Nonetheless, an increased risk was observed across all types of interventions, suggesting that elective HPB surgery should be avoided in COVID positive patients, delaying it at distance from the viral infection.

A core set of quality performance indicators for HPB procedures: a global consensus for hepatectomy, pancreatectomy, and complex biliary surgery.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) conditions is performed worldwide. This investigation aimed to develop a set of globally accepted procedural quality performance indicators (QPI) for HPB surgical procedures. METHODS: A systematic literature review generated a dataset of published QPI for hepatectomy, pancreatectomy, complex biliary surgery and cholecystectomy. Using a modified Delphi process, three rounds were conducted with working groups composed of self-nominating members of the International Hepatopancreaticobiliary Association (IHPBA). The final set of QPI was circulated to the full membership of the IHPBA for review. RESULTS: Seven "core" indicators were agreed for hepatectomy, pancreatectomy, and complex biliary surgery (availability of specific services on site, a specialised surgical team with at least two certified HPB surgeons, a satisfactory institutional case volume, synoptic pathology reporting, undertaking of unplanned reintervention procedures within 90 days, the incidence of post-procedure bile leak and Clavien-Dindo grade ≥III complications and 90-day post-procedural mortality). Three further procedure specific QPI were proposed for pancreatectomy, six for hepatectomy and complex biliary surgery. Nine procedure-specific QPIs were proposed for cholecystectomy. The final set of proposed indicators were reviewed and approved by 102 IHPBA members from 34 countries. CONCLUSIONS: This work presents a core set of internationally agreed QPI for HPB surgery.

Successful Surgical Treatment of a Patient with Synchronic Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Carcinoma and Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) and solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) are uncommon cystic tumors of the pancreas. The simultaneous occurrence of these 2 pancreatic neoplasms is extremely rare. We present a case of synchronous solid SPN and IPMN - carcinoma in a 44-year-old female patient. An uncommon surgical treatment was performed - pancreatoduodenectomy with the resection of the pancreas body, resection of the mesentericoportal trunk + distal pancreatectomy, and splenectomy. Part of the pancreatic tissue was preserved.

Two-stage combined treatment of leiomyosarcoma of iliac vein using robotic surgery.

Vascular leiomyosarcoma is a rare tumor originating from the vascular smooth muscle cells. Leiomyosarcomas of the external iliac vein are extremely rare. Only single observations of this tumor are reported. We describe a 48-year-old woman who underwent a two-step combined treatment: robot-assisted removal of the extraperitoneal tumor and removal of the lower part of the tumor from the open femoral approach. There have been no signs of tumor recurrence during the 34-month follow-up period.

Proinsulin-Secreting Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Pancreas: A Single-Centre Experience.

BACKGROUND: Proinsulinoma is a neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of the pancreas that produces prohormone proinsulin. These tumors are very rare. In the literature, they are most often presented in the form of case reports. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 177 patients with NET of the pancreas who underwent surgical treatment in the A.V. Vishnevsky National Medical Research Centre of Surgery from January 2007 to December 2018. RESULTS: Of 81 patients with organic hyperinsulinism caused by functioning NETs of the pancreas during the study period, 3 (3.7%) had a proinsulinoma; 2 were female; and 1 was male. None of them admitted to weight gain during this period, and their BMI was normal. All patients presented with Whipple's triad during the 72-h fast. Tumor-enucleating surgery was performed: one robot assisted, two laparotomies. A normal glucose level after treatment was achieved in all cases. CONCLUSION: In cases where clinical hypoglycemia is present, but the serum insulin level is within the normal range or even decreased, proinsulinoma should be suspected. For now, surgical resection remains the only effective method of treatment. Further investigation of pro-insulinomas is needed.