ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Total pancreatectomy (TP) is associated with significant metabolic abnormalities leading to considerable morbidity. With the availability of modern pancreatic enzyme formulations and improvements in control of diabetes mellitus, the metabolic drawbacks of TP have diminished. As indications for TP have expanded, we examine our results in patients undergoing TP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 47 patients undergoing TP from January 2002 to January 2008 was performed. Patient data and clinical outcomes were collected and entered into a database. Disease-free survival and overall survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Fifteen males and 32 females with a median age of 70 years underwent TP for non-invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) (21), pancreatic adenocarcinoma (20), other neoplasm (3), chronic pancreatitis (2) and trauma (1). Median hospital stay and intensive care stay were 11 days and 1 day, respectively. Thirty-day major morbidity and mortality was 19% and 2%, respectively. With a median follow-up length of 23 months, 33 patients were alive at last follow-up. Estimated overall survival at 1, 2 and 3 years for the entire cohort was 80%, 72% and 65%, and for those with pancreatic adenocarcinoma was 63%, 43% and 34%, respectively. Median weight loss at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery was 6.8 kg, 8.5 kg and 8.8 kg, respectively. Median HbA1c values at 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery were 7.3, 7.5 and 7.7, respectively. Over one-half of the patients required re-hospitalization within 12 months post-operatively. CONCLUSION: TP results in significant metabolic derangements and exocrine insufficiency, diabetic control and weight maintenance remain a challenge and readmission rates are high. Survival in those with malignant disease remains poor. However, the mortality appears to be decreasing and the morbidities associated with TP appear acceptable compared with the benefits of resection in selected patients.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Aberrant arterial anatomy is a common finding during foregut surgery. Anomalies to the right hepatic lobe are especially relevant during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and their recognition serves to protect the blood supply to the liver and bile ducts. We report our experience with aberrant right hepatic arterial anatomy (ARHAA) found during PD. METHODS: All patients who underwent PD between February 2003 and June 2007 were retrospectively reviewed and those with ARHAA were identified. Preoperative imaging studies were assessed by one radiologist, graded according to the presence of ARHAA and compared with the original interpretations. RESULTS: We found ARHAA in 31 of 191 patients (16.2%). Operative management included dissection and preservation in 24, transection and reconstruction in four, and transection and primary anastomosis in three patients. Reconstruction of ARHAA was carried out through interposition grafts in two patients and implantation into the gastroduodenal stump in two patients. No cases of arterial thrombosis, liver infarction, abscess formation or biliary fistula were demonstrated in the immediate postoperative period. Review of preoperative imaging interpretations found that only nine of 23 reports indicated the presence of ARHAA; however, the retrospective review of the images found that ARHAA was readily apparent in 24 patients. DISCUSSION: Recognition of aberrant vasculature to the liver before PD is important. Preoperative imaging studies will often be adequate to identify these anomalies, but interpreting radiologists may not be aware of its clinical significance. Surgeons performing PD must be adept at managing ARHAA safely.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in the USA. Recently, several centers have introduced portal and superior mesenteric vein resection and reconstruction during extended pancreatectomy, rendering the previously inoperable cases resectable. AIM: The aim of this study is to confirm whether patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer and mesenteric vascular invasion can be cured with extended pancreatectomy with vascular reconstruction (VR) and to compare their survival to patients treated with pancreatectomy without VR and those treated without resection (palliation). METHODS: Survival of 22 patients who underwent pancreatectomy with VR was compared with two control groups: 54 patients who underwent pancreatectomy without the need for VR and 28 patients whose pre-operative imaging suggested resectability but whose laparotomy indicated inoperability. RESULTS: A slight survival benefit was noted in patients who did not require VR (33.5%) compared to those who did require VR [20%, p = 0.18], although not reaching statistical significance. Despite a low 15% three-year survival in patients treated palliatively, this was not statistically different compared to survival after resection with VR (P = 0.23). The presence of nodal metastasis was associated with worse survival (p = 0.006), and the use of adjuvant therapy was associated with better survival (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pancreatic cancers that require VR to completely resect the tumor have a similar survival to those not requiring VR. Long-term survival was achievable in approximately 1 out 5 patients requiring VR, although we were not able to demonstrate statistically improved survival compared to palliative care.