Does postoperative drain amylase predict pancreatic fistula after pancreatectomy?

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that after pancreatectomy, drain fluid amylase obtained on postoperative day 1 (DFA1) >5,000 U/L correlates with the development of postoperative pancreatic fistula (PF).(1,2) We sought to validate whether DFA1 is a clinically useful predictor of PF and to evaluate whether DFA1 correlates with PF severity. STUDY DESIGN: Using a prospective database, we reviewed records from patients having pancreatectomy between 2010 and 2012. Presence and grade of PF were determined using the consensus guidelines from the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula (ISGPF).(1) RESULTS: Sixty-three patients who underwent pancreatectomy had a documented DFA1. There were 27 (43%) who developed PF: 2 (7%) were grade A, 18 grade B (67%), and 7 were grade C (26%). Median DFA1 in patients with PF (4,600 U/L, range 32 to 16,900 U/L) was significantly higher than in those without PF (45 U/L, range 2 to 5,840 U/L; p < 0.001). When DFA1 was analyzed at varying cutoff values, correlation of DFA1 with PF was high. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were assessed at varying levels of DFA1. Highest sensitivity (96%) and NPV (96%) were obtained with a cutoff DFA1 of <100 U/L. On multivariate analysis, DFA1 >100 U/L was the only significant predictor of PF when controlling for gland texture, duct size, pathology, and neoadjuvant radiation. There was no statistically significant relationship between DFA1 and PF grade. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing pancreatic resection, a cutoff DFA1 of 100 U/L resulted in high sensitivity and NPV. Early drain removal may be safe in these patients. Further studies are recommended to validate the role of DFA1 in excluding PF and assisting in management of surgical drains.

Preoperative classification of pancreatic cystic neoplasms: the clinical significance of diagnostic inaccuracy.

BACKGROUND: The potential for malignant transformation varies among pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) subtypes. Imaging and cyst fluid analysis are used to identify premalignant or malignant cases that should undergo operative resection, but the accuracy of operative decision-making process is unclear. The objective of this study was to characterize misdiagnoses of PCN and determine how often operations are undertaken for benign, non-premalignant disease. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing pancreatic resection for the preoperative diagnosis of PCN was undertaken. Preoperative and pathological diagnoses were compared to measure diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: Between 1999 and 2011, 74 patients underwent pancreatic resection for the preoperative diagnosis of PCN. Preoperative classification of mucinous vs. non-mucinous PCN was correct in 74%. The specific preoperative PCN diagnosis was correct in 47%, but half of incorrect preoperative diagnoses were clinically equivalent to the pathological diagnoses. The likelihood that the pathological diagnosis was of higher malignant potential than the preoperative diagnosis was 7%. In 20% of cases, the preoperative diagnosis was premalignant or malignant, but the pathological diagnosis was benign. Diagnostic accuracy and the rate of undercall diagnoses and overcall operations did not change with the use of EUS or during the time period of this analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Precise, preoperative classification of PCN is frequently incorrect but results in appropriate clinical decision-making in three-quarters of cases. However, one in five pancreatic resections performed for PCN was for benign disease with no malignant potential. An appreciation for the rate of diagnostic inaccuracies should inform our operative management of PCN.

Wound complications after inguinal lymph node dissection for melanoma: is ACS NSQIP adequate?

BACKGROUND: In the treatment of melanoma, inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) is the standard of care for palpable or biopsy-proven lymph node metastases. Wound complications occur frequently after ILND. In the current study, the multicenter American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) was utilized to examine the frequency and predictors of wound complications after ILND. METHODS: Patients with cutaneous melanoma who underwent superficial and superficial with deep ILND from 2005-2010 were selected from the ACS NSQIP database. Standard ACS NSQIP 30-day outcome variables for wound occurrences-superficial surgical site infection (SSI), deep SSI, organ space SSI, and disruption-were defined as wound complications. RESULTS: Of 281 total patients, only 14 % of patients had wound complications, a rate much lower than those reported in previous single institution studies. In a multivariable model, superficial with deep ILND, obesity, and diabetes were significantly associated with wound complications. There was no difference in the rate of reoperation in patients with and without wound complications. CONCLUSIONS: ACS NSQIP appears to markedly underreport the actual incidence of wound complications after ILND. This may reflect the program's narrow definition of wound occurrences, which does not include seroma, hematoma, lymph leak, and skin necrosis. Future iterations of the ACS NSQIP for Oncology and procedure-specific modules should expand the definition of wound occurrences to incorporate these clinically relevant complications.

Preoperative factors predict perioperative morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has long been associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to identify preoperative risk factors for serious complications and mortality after PD and to construct a prediction tool to facilitate risk stratification prior to surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent elective PD from 2005 to 2009 were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of 30-day serious complications and mortality. A prediction tool was created and validated in a sample of 1254 patients. RESULTS: Of 4945 patients who underwent PD, 1342 (27.1%) suffered a serious complication and 127 (2.6%) died within 30 days. The most frequent complications were sepsis (15.3%), surgical site infection (13.1%), and respiratory complications (9.5%). After adjusting for potential confounders, the significant predictors of morbidity included older age, male gender, overweight and obesity, dependent functional status, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), steroid use, bleeding disorder, leukocytosis, elevated serum creatinine, and hypoalbuminemia. Significant predictors of 30-day mortality included COPD, hypertension, neoadjuvant radiation therapy, elevated serum creatinine, and hypoalbuminemia. Multivariable models were used to construct a preoperative risk stratification tool. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative factors are associated with perioperative outcomes after PD. The prediction tool estimates the probability of early morbidity and mortality for patients undergoing PD. The tool may be used to provide information for patient counseling during the informed consent process and to identify high-risk patients for the purpose of tailoring perioperative care.

Risk stratification for distal pancreatectomy utilizing ACS-NSQIP: preoperative factors predict morbidity and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of risk factors for adverse outcomes following distal pancreatectomy (DP) has been limited to data collected from retrospective, primarily single-institution studies. Using a large, multi-institutional prospectively collected dataset, we sought to define the incidence of complications after DP, identify the preoperative and operative risk factors for the development of complications, and develop a risk score that can be utilized preoperatively. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program participant use file was utilized to identify patients who underwent DP from 2005 to 2008 by Current Procedural Terminology codes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify variables associated with 30-day morbidity and mortality. A scoring system was developed to allow for preoperative risk stratification. RESULTS: In 2,322 patients who underwent DP, overall 30-day complication and mortality were 28.1% and 1.2%, respectively. Serious complication occurred in 22.2%, and the most common complications included sepsis (8.7%), surgical site infection (5.9%), and pneumonia (4.7%). On multivariate analysis, preoperative variables associated with morbidity included male gender, high BMI, smoking, steroid use, neurologic disease, preoperative SIRS/sepsis, hypoalbuminemia, elevated creatinine, and abnormal platelet count. Preoperative variables associated with 30-day mortality included esophageal varices, neurologic disease, dependent functional status, recent weight loss, elevated alkaline phosphatase, and elevated blood urea nitrogen. Operative variables associated with both morbidity and mortality included high intraoperative transfusion requirement (≥3 U) and prolonged operation time (>360 min). Weighted risk scores were created based on the preoperatively determined factors that predicted both morbidity (p < 0.001) and mortality (p < 0.001) after DP. DISCUSSION: The rate of serious complication after DP is 22%. The DP-specific preoperative risk scoring system described in this paper may be utilized for patient counseling and informed consent discussions, identifying high-risk patients who would benefit from disease optimization, and risk adjustment when comparing outcomes between institutions.

Impact of selection bias on the utilization of adjuvant therapy for pancreas adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Improved outcomes have been associated with the use of adjuvant therapy after resection of pancreas adenocarcinoma. However, the frequency with which patients receive adjuvant therapy and the factors impacting its use remain largely undefined. We hypothesized that nonutilization of adjuvant therapy was primarily associated with patient comorbidity and onset of postoperative complications. METHODS: A prospectively maintained database was reviewed to identify patients who underwent potentially curative resection of histologically confirmed pancreas adenocarcinoma at our institution from January 1996 to May 2007. Clinicopathological data and postoperative treatment history were collected to identify variables associated with receipt of adjuvant therapy. RESULTS: Of 119 patients, 33% did not receive adjuvant therapy. The frequency with which patients underwent adjuvant therapy did not change over time. On multivariate analysis, patient age 70 years or greater, major postoperative complications, distal pancreatectomy, absence of nodal metastases, and absence of perineural invasion were associated with decreased utilization of adjuvant therapy. DISCUSSION: One-third of patients in this contemporary dataset of patients did not go on to receive adjuvant therapy. The likelihood of receiving adjuvant treatment is negatively impacted by the course of postoperative recovery. Moreover, the fact that adjuvant therapy was undertaken less often for older patients and patients with favorable pathological features highlights the selection bias impacting the decision to pursue postoperative therapy for this disease. This selective utilization of postoperative therapy for patients with adverse oncological characteristics is likely to bias any retrospective analysis attempting to measure the efficacy of adjuvant treatment for pancreas adenocarcinoma.

Staging laparoscopy enhances the detection of occult metastases in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The use of staging laparoscopy has been highly institutional dependent. We sought to assess the incidence of occult intra-abdominal metastases identified at the time of staging laparoscopy for patients with either potentially resectable or locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LAPC). We also compared the rate of occult metastases in patients who underwent staging laparoscopy versus laparotomy. METHODS: Patients were confirmed to have potentially resectable or LAPC at a multidisciplinary hepatopancreaticobiliary conference. Patients with potentially resectable lesions were initially explored via staging laparoscopy or laparotomy, based on surgeon preference. RESULTS: Over a 4-year period, 25 patients with potentially resectable tumors and 33 patients with LAPC were staged with laparoscopy, with an equivalent prevalence of occult metastases found at laparoscopy (28% potentially resectable vs. 33% LAPC, P = 0.8). Fifty-two patients with potentially resectable lesions were explored initially via laparotomy. Occult peritoneal metastases were more likely to be detected in patients with potentially resectable tumors that were explored via laparoscopy than via laparotomy (32% vs. 10%, P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Staging laparoscopy is more likely than open exploration to detect occult metastases. Current preoperative imaging inadequately identifies unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma; therefore, all patients with potentially resectable disease should undergo staging laparoscopy.

Laparoscopic left pancreatectomy: complication risk score correlates with morbidity and risk for pancreatic fistula.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons are performing laparoscopic left pancreatectomy (LLP) with increasing frequency; however, determinants of perioperative outcome after LLP are not well defined. We evaluated factors contributing to morbidity after LLP. METHODS: Records from patients undergoing LLP from 2000 to 2008 from nine academic medical centers were evaluated to assess risk factors for perioperative complications. Extent of pancreatic resection was determined by the length of the gross pancreatic specimen. Complications and pancreatic fistula rates were assessed, and a model was developed to identify those at risk of postoperative adverse events. RESULTS: Among the 219 LLP cases, indications were cystic neoplasms in 122 (56%), solid neoplasms in 83 (38%), and chronic pancreatitis in 14 (6%). Thirty-day morbidity and mortality were 39% and 0, respectively. Major complications occurred in 11%. Pancreatic fistulae were detected in 23%, with clinically important fistulae (International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula Definition grade B/C) seen in 10%. On multivariate analysis, only greater estimated blood loss (EBL), higher body mass index (BMI), and longer length of resected pancreas were associated with major complications. A complication risk score consisting of 1 point each for BMI >27, pancreatic specimen length >8 cm, or EBL > or =150 mL predicted an increased risk of complications and pancreatic fistulae. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of major complications after LLP is 11%, with clinically important pancreatic fistulae occurring in 10%. A complication risk score incorporating BMI, extent of pancreatic resection, and EBL correlates with all end points evaluated. The complication risk score should be used when quality outcome measures are evaluated.

Resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: concomitant liver resection decreases hepatic recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is an uncommon tumor with a poor prognosis. We sought to evaluate recurrence patterns and prognostic factors for disease-specific and disease-free survival in patients with surgically resected hilar cholangiocarcinoma in a single institution over the last 21 years. METHODS: From 1985 to 2006, all patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma referred to a tertiary surgical clinic were evaluated. Demographic data, tumor characteristics, and outcome were analyzed retrospectively. Outcome was compared in patients treated in a recent era (1995-2006) compared with an earlier era (1985-1994). RESULTS: Of 91 patients evaluated, 22 patients (24%) had unresectable disease at presentation. Of the 69 patients submitted to laparotomy, resection was possible in 55% and the curative (R0) resection rate was 63%. In patients submitted to exploration, the operative (60 day) morbidity and mortality rates were 26% and 3%. Median disease-specific (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 29 and 20 months, respectively (median FU, 29 months.). In patients undergoing R0 resection, the median survival was prolonged (65 months). In the more recent era, resectability rates improved (69% vs. 17%; P = 0.0002), and this was associated with an improvement in median survival (30 vs. 4 months; P < 0.001). Factors predictive of improved disease-specific and disease-free survival included negative histologic margins, concomitant hepatic lobectomy, lack of nodal disease, well-differentiated histology, and an earlier tumor stage (P < 0.05). Concomitant liver resection was associated with a higher R0 resection rate (P = 0.006) and improved DSS and DFS (P = 0.005). In addition, concomitant liver resection was associated with a decreased incidence of initial recurrence in liver (P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma, concomitant hepatic resection is associated with improved DFS, DSS, and decreased hepatic recurrence. Therefore, hepatectomy combined with bile duct resection should be considered standard treatment.