Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of pancreatic stump closure using a hand-sewn or stapler technique in distal pancreatectomy.

This study aimed to compare outcomes of hand-sewn and stapler closure techniques of pancreatic stump in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy (DP). Impact of stapler closure reinforcement using mesh on outcomes was also evaluated. Literature search was carried out using multiple data sources to identify studies that compared hand-sewn and stapler closure techniques in management of pancreatic stump following DP. Odds ratio (OR) was determined for clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) via random-effects modelling. Subsequently, trial sequential analysis was performed. Thirty-two studies with a total of 4,022 patients undergoing DP with hand-sewn (n = 1,184) or stapler (n = 2,838) closure technique of pancreatic stump were analyzed. Hand-sewn closure significantly increased the risk of clinically relevant POPF compared to stapler closure (OR: 1.56, p = 0.02). When stapler closure was considered, staple line reinforcement significantly reduced formation of such POPF (OR: 0.54, p = 0.002). When only randomized controlled trials were considered, there was no significant difference in clinically relevant POPF between hand-sewn and stapler closure techniques (OR: 1.20, p = 0.64) or between reinforced and standard stapler closure techniques (OR: 0.50, p = 0.08). When observational studies were considered, hand-sewn closure was associated with a significantly higher rate of clinically relevant POPF compared to stapler closure (OR: 1.59, p = 0.03). Moreover, when stapler closure was considered, staple line reinforcement significantly reduced formation of such POPF (OR: 0.55, p = 0.02). Trial sequential analysis detected risk of type 2 error. In conclusion, reinforced stapler closure in DP may reduce risk of clinically relevant POPF compared to hand-sewn closure or stapler closure without reinforcement. Future randomized research is needed to provide stronger evidence.

Perspectives on robotic HPB training in the UK: a survey analysis.

BACKGROUND: We Published a step-up approach for robotic training in hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery has been previously. The approach was mostly based on personal experience and communications between experts and needed appraisal and validation by the HPB surgical community. At the Great Britain and Ireland HPB Association (GBIHPBA) robotic HPB meeting held in Coventry, UK in October 2022, the authors sought consensus from the live audience, with an open forum for answering key questions. The aim of this exercise was to appraise the step-up approach, and in turn, lay the foundation for a more substantial UK robotic HPB surgical curriculum. METHODS: The study was conducted using VEVOX online polling platform at the October 2022 GBIHPBA robotic HPB meeting in Coventry, UK. The questionnaire was designed based on a literature search and was externally validated. The data were collated and analysed to assess patterns of response. RESULTS: A median (IQR) of 104 (96-117) responses were generated for each question. 93 consultants and 61 trainees were present Over 90% were in favour of a standardised training pathway. 93.6% were in favour of the proposed step-up approach, with a significant number (67.3%; p < 0.001) considering three levels of case complexity. CONCLUSION: The survey shows a favourable outlook on adopting step-up training in robotic HPB surgery. Ongoing monitoring of progress, clinical outcomes, and collaboration among surgeons and units will bolster this evidence, potentially leading to an official UK robotic HPB curriculum.

Comparative study of operative expenses: robotic vs. laparoscopic vs. open liver resections at a university hospital in the UK.

Robotic liver resections (RLR) are increasingly being performed and has previously been considered more costly. The aim is to explore the cost of RLR compared with laparoscopic and open liver resection in a single National Health Service (NHS) hospital. A retrospective review of patients who underwent RLR, LLR, and OLR from April 2014 to December 2022 was conducted. The primary outcomes were the cost of consumables and median income, and the secondary outcomes were the overall length of stay and mortality at 90 days. Overall, 332 patients underwent liver resections. There were 204 males (61.4%) and 128 females (38.6%), with a median age of 62 years (IQR: 51-77 years). Of these, 60 patients (18.1%) underwent RLR, 21 patients (6.3%) underwent LLR, and 251 patients (75.6%) underwent OLR. Median consumables cost per case was £3863 (IQR: £3458-£5061) for RLR, £4326 (IQR: £4273-£4473) for LLR, and £4,084 (IQR: £3799-£5549) for the OLR cohort (p = 0.140). Median income per case was £7999 (IQR: £4509-£10,777) for RLR, £7497 (IQR: £2407-£14,576) for LLR, and £7493 (IQR: £2542-£14,121) for OLR. The median length of stay (LOS) for RLR was 3 days (IQR: 2-4.7 days) compared to 5 days for LLR (IQR: 4.5-7 days) and 6 days for OLR (IQR: 5-8 days, p < 0.001). Within the NHS, RLR has consumable costs comparable to OLR and LLR. It is also linked with a shorter LOS and generates similar income for patients undergoing OLR and LLR.

Addressing extreme size mismatch in pediatric intestinal transplantation: Outcomes of intestinal length reduction.

BACKGROUND: Bench liver reduction, with or without intestinal length reduction (LR) (coupled with delayed closure and abdominal wall prostheses), has been a strategy adopted by our program for small children due to the limited availability of size-matched donors. This report describes the short, medium, and long-term outcomes of this graft reduction strategy. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective analysis of children that underwent intestinal transplantation (April 1993 to December 2020) was performed. Patients were grouped according to whether they received an intestinal graft of full length (FL) or following LR. RESULTS: Overall, 105 intestinal transplants were performed. The LR group (n = 10) was younger (14.5 months vs. 40.0 months, p = .012) and smaller (8.7 kg vs. 13.0 kg, p = .032) compared to the FL group (n = 95). Similar abdominal closure rates were achieved after LR, without any increase in abdominal compartment syndrome (1/10 vs. 7/95, p = .806). The 90-day graft and patient survival were similar (9/10, 90% vs. 83/95, 86%; p = .810). Medium and long-term graft survival at 1 year (8/10, 80% vs. 65/90, 71%; p = .599), and 5 years (5/10, 50% vs. 42/84, 50%; p = 1.00) was similar. CONCLUSION: LR of intestinal grafts appears to be a safe strategy for infants and small children requiring intestinal transplantation. This technique should be considered in the situation of significant size mismatch of intestine containing grafts.

The effects of resection margin and KRAS status on outcomes after resection of colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of resection margin status in patients with KRAS mutations (mt-KRAS) when compared to those with wild-type KRAS (wt-KRAS) on long-term outcomes in patients with resected CRLM. METHODS: All patients who underwent resection of CRLM with curative intent between January 2011 and December 2016 and had a KRAS type recorded were included in the study. Overall survival (OS), as well as death-censored overall (RFS) and liver-specific (LS-RFS) recurrence-free survival between KRAS types and the margin status within KRAS subgroups were compared using Cox regression models. RESULTS: Data were available for N = 500 patients (30.4% mt-KRAS). mt-KRAS status was independently associated with significantly shorter OS. Within the wt-KRAS subgroup, smaller margins were found to be associated with significantly shorter death-censored LS-RFS (p < 0.001), with HRs of 1.93 (p = 0.005) for 1-4 mm margins and 2.83 (p < 0.001) for <1 mm margins, relative to those with clear margins. No such association was observed in the mt-KRAS subgroup (p = 0.721). CONCLUSION: The resection margin status is of greater importance in patients with wt-KRAS. Such information could be useful in the operative planning, especially for those with multiple metastatic deposits, and also in the post-operative counselling and surveillance based on the margin and KRAS status.

Congenital intrahepatic aorto-portal fistula presenting with cardiac failure.

Congenital intrahepatic arterio-portal fistulae (cIAPF) are rare, high-flow vascular malformations that usually present with portal hypertension. They almost never cause heart failure, unless there is associated congenital heart disease or the ductus venosus in patent. We present an unusual case of IAPF in an 11-day-old boy, who presented with features of cardiac failure associated with increased N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP). The IAPF arose directly from the aorta, separated from the hepatic artery and divided to separately supply both left and right portal veins. The ductus venosus was occluded. The IAPF was treated with embolization of the aorto-portal fistula, accessed through a direct percutaneous puncture of the fistula. Embolization was associated with an immediate clinical improvement and a rapid and sustained normalization of the NT pro-BNP level. A similar re-presentation was noted and treated with repeat embolization. The child is well on follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the first case of cIAPF, which was presented with cardiac failure when the ductus venosus has closed and has been treated successfully with direct, percutaneous transhepatic embolization of the fistula, twice. Serial clinical follow-up and ultrasonographical examinations have proven to be an effective strategy to detect recurrent fistulae.

Treatment Strategies for the Optimal Management of Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma With Curative Intent: A Systematic Review.

Historically, locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LAPDAC) was considered a palliative condition. Advances in treatment have resulted in studies reporting survival after neoadjuvant treatment and surgery similar to earlier disease stages. However, there is no consensus on optimal LAPDAC management. Our aim was a systematic review of published evidence on LAPDAC treatment strategies with curative intent. Twenty-eight studies defining LAPDAC as per established criteria and reporting outcomes after neoadjuvant treatment with a view to resection were included. Primary outcomes were resection rate and proportion of curative resections. Secondary outcomes were postoperative mortality, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Neoadjuvant treatment varied significantly, most common being the combination of folinic acid, fluorouracil, irontecan, and oxaliplatin. Median percentage of patients proceeding to surgery after completion of neoadjuvant pathway was 33.5%. Median resection rate was 25%. Median R0 resection was 80% of resected patients. These outcomes ranged 0% to 100% across studies. Ninety-day postoperative mortality ranged from 0% to 5%. Median progression-free and overall survival for resected patients were 12.9 and 30 months, respectively, versus 13.2 months overall survival for unresected patients. In conclusion, although there is wide variability in reported LAPDAC resection rates post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy, retrospective data suggest that neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery results in improved survival.

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency after pancreaticoduodenectomy: Current evidence and management.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the commonest procedure performed for pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) may be caused or exacerbated by surgery and remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. The aim of this review was to ascertain the incidence of PEI, its consequences and management in the setting of PD for indications other than chronic pancreatitis. A literature search of databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and Scopus) was carried out with the MeSH terms "pancreatic exocrine insufficiency" and "Pancreaticoduodenectomy". Studies that analysed PEI and its complications in the setting of PD for malignant and benign disease were included. Studies reporting PEI in the setting of PD for chronic pancreatitis, conference abstracts and reviews were excluded. The incidence of PEI approached 100% following PD in some series. The pre-operative incidence varied depending on the characteristics of the patient cohort and it was higher (46%-93%) in series where pancreatic cancer was the predominant indication for surgery. Variability was also recorded with regards to the method used for the diagnosis and evaluation of pancreatic function and malabsorption. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is the mainstay of the management. PEI is common and remains undertreated after PD. Future studies are required for the identification of a well-tolerated, reliable and reproducible diagnostic test in this setting.

Institutional Experience in the Management of Hilar Liver Obstruction- A Series of 13 Cases.

Neoplastic hilar obstruction to the liver outflow presents a unique challenge to the surgeon, wherein, the balance between a curative and possibly larger resection has to be achieved against a more conservative local resection. These are often technically demanding and have thus, far produced equivocal outcomes on both ends. The present case series is on 13 patients who presented with hilar obstruction. They all underwent resections with possible curative intent. The focus of our review is on the technical nuances and the strategies we used, intra- and peri-operatively to make resections possible in these patients, who at first look were deemed inoperable. Among the 13, 10 had hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) while the others had a more benign diagnosis e.g., Hydatid disease. We did not encounter any peri-operative mortality in our series. Two of our patients had to be re-explored for intra-abdominal complications. Among the 13, we encountered two deaths. The rest of the patients are still on follow-up as of April 2016. Hilar CCA continue to be rare and challenging tumours for the Hepato Pancreato Biliary (HPB) surgeon to manage. Outlooks are currently changing as we try to resect bigger and more complicated hilar liver tumours with better results.