A propensity score-matched analysis of laparoscopic versus open pancreaticoduodenectomy: Is there value to a laparoscopic approach?

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy has been found safe and associated with advantages over open pancreaticoduodenectomy in prior studies. We compared outcomes of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy versus open pancreaticoduodenectomy at a single institution after applying technical aspects and perioperative care learned from laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy to the open pancreaticoduodenectomy practice. METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2020, all patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy were identified, and information was collected in a prospective fashion. Open pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 347) and laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 242) were performed using the same selection criteria, operative technique, and recovery protocols at a single institution. Propensity score matching was performed, and then perioperative data and 90-day outcomes were compared, and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 589 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, including open pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 347) and laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 242). After excluding those undergoing total pancreatectomy or major vascular or concomitant organ resection, there were 497 patients (open pancreaticoduodenectomy = 301 and laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy = 196). Propensity score matching was performed, and 187 open pancreaticoduodenectomy patients were matched to 187 laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy patients. Operative time (475 vs 280 minutes) was longer, and estimated blood loss (150 vs 212 mL) was less for laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy than open pancreaticoduodenectomy, respectively. Pancreatic fistula (18.8% vs 5.4%) and delayed gastric emptying (18.8% vs 9.7%) were higher for laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy than open pancreaticoduodenectomy, respectively. Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage, major morbidity, mortality, hospital stay, and readmissions were nonsignificantly higher for laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy than open pancreaticoduodenectomy. Intensive care use and overall costs were significantly higher for laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy than open pancreaticoduodenectomy. CONCLUSION: In our experience, open pancreaticoduodenectomy offers similar to improved outcomes over laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy, with less use of perioperative resources, thereby offering better value to patients requiring pancreaticoduodenectomy.

A narrative review of imaging for pancreas adenocarcinoma: staging, surgical considerations, and surveillance.

Background and Objective: Pancreas adenocarcinoma is a disease with dire prognosis. Imaging is pivotal to the diagnosis, staging, reassessment, surgical planning, and surveillance of pancreas cancer. The purpose of this paper is to provide the reader an overview of current imaging practices for pancreas adenocarcinoma. Methods: A literature search of original papers and reviews through 2022 was performed using the PubMed database. The most current American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria and National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines on pancreas cancer imaging were also included. Key Content and Findings: Multidisciplinary team care at a high-volume institution is instrumental to optimal patient management and outcomes. It is therefore important for all team members to be aware of imaging modality options, strengths, and challenges. Additionally, a high-level understanding of imaging findings is useful clinically. This manuscript provides a current overview of imaging modalities used in the identification and assessment of pancreas adenocarcinoma, including ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography. Imaging findings, including the expected and unexpected, are reviewed to give the novice imager a better understanding. Conclusions: This review provides a current overview of imaging for pancreas adenocarcinoma, including strengths and weakness of various imaging modalities; therefore, providing the reader with a robust resource when considering imaging in the management of this disease.

Therapeutic Photobiomodulation Before Strenuous Exercise Attenuates Shoulder Muscle Fatigue.

CONTEXT: Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) applied as a preconditioning treatment before exercise has been shown to attenuate fatigue and improve skeletal muscle contractile function during high-intensity resistance exercise. Practical implications for preconditioning muscle with PBMT prior to fatiguing exercise include a safe and non-invasive means to enhance performance and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury. OBJECTIVE: To examine the muscle fatigue attenuating effects of PBMT on performance of the shoulder external rotator muscle group when applied as a preconditioning treatment before high-intensity, high-volume resistance exercise. DESIGN: Sham-controlled, cross-over design. SETTING: Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty healthy men (n=8) and women (n=12) between the age of 18 and 30. INTERVENTION: PBMT was administered using a near-infrared laser (λ=810/980nm, 1.8 W/cm2, treatment area = 80cm2-120 cm2) to the shoulder external rotator muscles at a radiant exposure of 10 J/cm2. Subjects performed 12 sets of isokinetic shoulder exercise. Each set consisted of 21 concentric contractions of internal and external rotation at 60°/s. The sets were subdivided into 3 blocks of exercise [Block 1: sets 1-4; Block 2: sets 5-8; Block 3: sets 9-12]. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: normalized peak torque [Nm/kg], average peak torque [Nm], total work [Nm], and average power [W]. RESULTS: During the last block of exercise (sets 9-12), all performance measures for the active PBMT condition were 6.2% to 10% greater than the sham PBMT values (p < 0.02 to 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PBMT attenuated fatigue and improved muscular performance of the shoulder external rotators in the latter stages of strenuous resistance exercise.

Targeting KRAS in pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Progress in demystifying the holy grail.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains one of the most challenging diseases, with a very poor 5-year overall survival of around 11.5%. Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) mutation is seen in 90%-95% of PC patients and plays an important role in cancer cell proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, and survival, making it an essential mutation for targeted therapy. Despite extensive efforts in studying this oncogene, there has been little success in finding a drug to target this pathway, labelling it for decades as "undruggable". In this article we summarize some of the efforts made to target the KRAS pathway in PC, discuss the challenges, and shed light on promising clinical trials.

Preoperative CA19.9 level predicts lymph node metastasis in resectable adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas: A further plea for biological resectability criteria.

INTRODUCTION: Lymph-nodal involvement (N+) represents an adverse prognostic factor after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Preoperative diagnostic and staging modalities lack sensitivity for identifying N+. This study aimed to investigate preoperative CA19.9 in predicting the N+ stage in resectable-PDAC (R-PDAC). METHODS: Patients included in a multi-institutional retrospective database of PDs performed for R-PDAC from January 2000 to June 2021 were analyzed. A preoperative laboratory value of CA19.9 >37 U/L was used in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine a possible association with N+. Additionally, different cut-offs of CA19.9 related to the preoperative clinical T (cT) stage was assessed to evaluate the risk of N+. RESULTS: A total of 2034 PDs from thirteen centers were included in the study. CA19.9>37 U/L was significantly associated with higher N+ at univariate and multivariate analysis (P<0.001). CA19.9 levels >37 U/L were associated with N+ in 75.9%, 81.3%, and 85.7% of patients, respectively, in cT1, cT2, and cT3 tumors and with higher cut-off values for all cT stages. CONCLUSION: Lymph nodal involvement is strongly related to preoperative CA19.9 levels. Specially in patients staged as cT3 the CA 19.9 could represent a valid and easy tool to suspect nodal involvement. Due to these findings, R-PDAC patients with elevated CA19.9 values should be considered in a more biologically advanced stage.

Comparison of complications for cirrhotic versus non-cirrhotic patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes between patients with cirrhosis and those without who have undergone pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) in our institution. METHODS: A review of patients undergoing PD from the time period of January 2010 to December 2020 was performed. Patients that have undergone open or laparoscopic PD and had liver cirrhosis diagnosed prior to surgery were included and matched on a 1:2 basis with non-cirrhotic patients based on age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), and date of surgery. Data was obtained from our medical records and ten major postoperative complications variables were compared to the matched group. RESULTS: Overall, 16 patients with cirrhosis were compared to 32 matched controls. No significant differences were found in pancreatic fistula (18.8% vs. 21.8%; P= 1.000), hemorrhage (6.3% vs. 6.2%; P= 1.000), delayed gastric emptying (6.3% vs. 15.6%; P= 0.648), wound infection (0% vs. 9.3%; P= 0.541), and intraabdominal abscess (31.2% vs 6.2%; 0.4998) for cirrhotic vs. non-cirrhotic respectively. There were no postop ileus, gastric fistula, mesenteric portal thrombosis, biliary fistula, and abdominal ischemic event in either group. The average length of stay for both groups was similar (6.9 vs. 9.3 days; P= 0.4019). There were no mortalities and major morbidity was similar (37.5% vs 34.3%; P=0.3549). One patient required readmission for liver-related decompensation with full recovery. CONCLUSION: PD in patients with cirrhosis can be safe and feasible in well-selected patients. In a high-volume institution, postoperative complications are similar to those patients without cirrhosis of the liver.

Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibition and Cytotoxic Chemotherapy in Mismatch Repair-Deficient and Microsatellite Instability-High Pancreatic Cancer: Mayo Clinic Experience.

PURPOSE: Pancreatic cancer (PC) carries a poor prognosis with high rates of unresectable/metastatic disease at diagnosis, recurrence after resection, and few systemic therapy options. Deficient mismatch repair (dMMR)/high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) PCs demonstrated uncharacteristically poor outcomes in KEYNOTE-158, evaluating pembrolizumab in MSI-H solid tumors. Our study aggregates the Mayo Clinic experience with dMMR/MSI-H PCs, characterizing the clinical, molecular, and treatment response patterns with a focus on response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). METHODS: Retrospective data were collected from the electronic medical record from December 2009 to February 2023. Patients were included if they had a pathologically confirmed pancreatic malignancy and had (1) deficient expression of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins by tumor immunohistochemistry, (2) pathogenic mutation of MMR genes on genomic sequencing, and/or (3) MSI-H by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were identified for inclusion, with all stages of disease represented. Sixteen of these patients underwent surgery or chemoradiotherapy. Of these patients, uncharacteristically favorable responses were seen, with a recurrence rate of only 19% (n = 3) despite a median follow-up of 25 months. In the palliative setting, excellent responses to ICI were seen, with overall response rate (ORR) of 75% (20% complete response). Median time to disease progression was not reached. Response rates to cytotoxic chemotherapy in the palliative setting were poor, with 30% ORR and median time to progression of 4 months. We observed a high rate of discrepancy between MMR and MSI testing methods, representing 19% of the entire cohort and 26% of evaluable cases. CONCLUSION: Our data argue for the preferential use of ICI over cytotoxic chemotherapy in any patient with dMMR/MSI-H PC requiring systemic therapy, including in the metastatic and adjuvant/neoadjuvant settings.

Venous thromboembolism and bleeding after hepatectomy: role and impact of risk adjusted prophylaxis.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) occurs in 2-6% of post-hepatectomy patients and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The use of VTE risk assessment models in hepatectomy cases remains unclear. Our study aimed to determine the use and impact of Caprini guideline indicated VTE prophylaxis following hepatectomy. Hepatectomy cases performed during 2016-2021 were included. Caprini score and VTE prophylaxis were determined retroactively, and VTE prophylaxis was categorized as appropriate or inappropriate. The primary outcome was the receipt of appropriate prophylaxis, and secondary outcomes were postoperative VTE and bleeding. Statistical analyses included Fisher Exact test, Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson Chi-Square test, and multivariate regression models. R Statistical software was used for analysis. A p-value < 0.05 or 95% Confidence Interval (CI) excluding 1 was considered significant. A total of 1955 hepatectomy cases were analyzed. Patient demographics were similar between study cohorts. Inpatient, 30- and 90-day VTE rates were 1.28%, 0.56%, and 1.24%, respectively. By Caprini guidelines, 59% and 4.3% received appropriate in-hospital and discharged VTE prophylaxis, respectively. Inpatient VTE (4.5-fold) and mortality (9.5-fold) were lower in patients receiving appropriate prophylaxis. All discharged VTE and mortality occurred in patients not receiving appropriate prophylaxis. Inpatient, 30- and 90-day bleeding rates were 8.4%, 0.62%, and 0.68%, respectively. Appropriate prophylaxis did not increase postoperative bleeding. Increasing Caprini score inversely correlated with receiving appropriate prophylaxis (OR 0.38, CI 0.31-0.46) at discharge, and appropriate prophylaxis did not correlate with bleeding risk (OR 0.79, CI 0.57-1.12). Caprini guideline indicated prophylaxis resulted in reduced VTE complications without increasing bleeding risk.

Conditional Survival After Hepatectomy for Colorectal Liver Metastasis: Results from the Colorectal Liver Operative Metastasis International Collaborative (COLOMIC).

INTRODUCTION: Complete resection of colorectal liver metastasis (CLM) improves long-term survival in colorectal cancer. However, there is limited recent data on conditional survival (CS) as postoperative survival milestones are achieved post-hepatectomy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the penta-institutional Colorectal Liver Operative Metastasis International Collaborative (COLOMIC), with 906 consecutive CLM hepatectomy cases. CS was calculated using Bayes' theorem and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Additional CS analyses were performed on additional clinicopathologic risk factors, including colon cancer laterality, KRAS mutation status, and extrahepatic disease. RESULTS: The 5-year CS was 40.6%, 45.3%, 52.8%, and 65.3% at 0, 1, 2, and 3 years postoperatively, with significant improvements each year (p < 0.005). CS was not significantly different between right-sided and left-sided colorectal cancers by 3 years postoperatively. Patients with KRAS mutations had worse CS at all timepoints (p < 0.001). Extrahepatic disease was a poor prognostic factor for OS and CS (p < 0.001). However, CS for patients with KRAS mutations or extrahepatic disease improved significantly as 2-year, postoperative survival was achieved (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Five-year CS after hepatectomy for CLM improved with each passing year of survival postoperatively. Although extrahepatic disease and KRAS mutations are poor prognostic factors for OS, these populations still had improved CS after 2 years postoperatively.

Survival Outcomes of Optimally Treated Colorectal Metastases: The Importance of R0 Status in Surgical Treatment of Hepatic and Peritoneal Surface Disease.

BACKGROUND: Although colorectal hepatic metastases (HM) and peritoneal surface disease (PSD) are distinct biologic diseases, they may have similar long-term survival when optimally treated with surgery. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed prospectively managed databases. Patients undergoing R0 or R1 resections were analyzed with descriptive statistics, the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression. Survival was compared over time for the following periods: 1993-2006, 2007-2012, and 2013-2020. RESULTS: The study enrolled 783 HM patients undergoing liver resection and 204 PSD patients undergoing cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Compared with PSD patients, HM patients more often had R0 resections (90.3% vs. 32.4%), less often had pre-procedure chemotherapy (52.4% vs. 92.1%), and less often were functionally independent (79.7% vs. 95.6%). The 5-year overall survival for HM was 40.9%, with a median survival period of 45.8 months versus 25.8% and 33.4 months, respectively, for PSD (p < 0.05). When stratified by resection status, R0 HM and R0 PSD did not differ significantly in median survival (49.0 vs. 45.4 months; p = 0.83). The median survival after R1 resection also was similar between HM and PSD (32.6 vs. 26.9 months; p = 0.59). Survival between the two groups again was similar over time when stratified by resection status. The predictors of survival for HM patients were R0 resection, number of lesions, intraoperative transfusion, age, and adjuvant chemotherapy. For the PSD patients, the predictors were peritoneal cancer index (PCI) score, estimated blood loss (EBL), and female gender. CONCLUSION: The study showed that R0 resections are associated with improved outcomes and that median survival is similar between HM and PSD patients when it is achieved. Surveillance and treatment strategies that facilitate R0 resections are needed to improve results, particularly for PSD.

Machine Learning Models for Predicting the Outcomes of Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Liver Metastases.

BACKGROUND: Surgical intervention remains the cornerstone of a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases (CLM). Nevertheless, patient outcomes vary greatly. While predictive tools can assist decision-making and patient counseling, decades of efforts have yet to result in generating a universally adopted tool in clinical practice. STUDY DESIGN: An international collaborative database of CLM patients who underwent surgical therapy between 2000 and 2018 was used to select 1,004 operations for this study. Two different machine learning methods were applied to construct 2 predictive models for recurrence and death, using 128 clinicopathologic variables: gradient-boosted trees (GBTs) and logistic regression with bootstrapping (LRB) in a leave-one-out cross-validation. RESULTS: Median survival after resection was 47.2 months, and disease-free survival was 19.0 months, with a median follow-up of 32.0 months in the cohort. Both models had good predictive power, with GBT demonstrating a superior performance in predicting overall survival (area under the receiver operating curve [AUC] 0.773, 95% CI 0.743 to 0.801 vs LRB: AUC 0.648, 95% CI 0.614 to 0.682) and recurrence (AUC 0.635, 95% CI 0.599 to 0.669 vs LRB: AUC 0.570, 95% CI 0.535 to 0.601). Similarly, better performances were observed predicting 3- and 5-year survival, as well as 3- and 5-year recurrence, with GBT methods generating higher AUCs. CONCLUSIONS: Machine learning provides powerful tools to create predictive models of survival and recurrence after surgery for CLM. The effectiveness of both machine learning models varies, but on most occasions, GBT outperforms LRB. Prospective validation of these models lays the groundwork to adopt them in clinical practice.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy After Liver Transplantation: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to report the feasibility and short-term outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in patients who have undergone orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained pancreatic surgical database for all patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) after liver transplant from January 1995 until June 2022. Demographics, indications for pancreatic resection, liver transplant and time from liver transplant to PD were reported. Operative mortality and morbidity were recorded within 90 days of surgery. Continuous variables were recorded as mean and range, while categorical variables were summarized using frequency and percentage. Postoperative complications within 90 days from PD were graded based on Clavien-Dindo classification with major complication recorded as grade IIIa or higher. Additionally, a comprehensive literature review was performed. RESULTS: A total of 916 patients who underwent PD at our institution between January 1995 and June 2022 were identified, and 9 patients had previous OLT. Five patients were females and 4 males with a mean age of 65 years (range 51-78). Average body mass index (BMI) was 30.8. Two patients had major complications, and three patients had minor complications. No clinically relevant POPF, PPH or DGE were observed. One patient died within 90 days from PD due to ischemic biliary pancreatic limb causing intrabdominal sepsis. CONCLUSION: Although uncommon, PD after OLT is feasible with acceptable outcomes at high volume institutions and if performed by experienced surgeons.

Risk adjusted venous thromboembolism prophylaxis following pancreatic surgery.

This study analyzes pancreatectomy cases performed between 2016 and 2021 to determine the impact of using Caprini guideline indicated VTE prophylaxis on VTE and bleeding complications. This is a retrospective study of cases performed in a single academic health care system, in which Caprini score and VTE prevention measures were determined retroactively and prevention practices binarized as appropriate or not appropriate. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed of 1,299 pancreatectomy case. Most patients were stratified as high risk for postoperative VTE. Receiving appropriate VTE prophylaxis during admission was associated with a 3-fold reduction in VTE complications (0.82% vs. 2.64%, p=0.01) without increasing bleeding complications. All VTE complications occurring with 30-day (1.2%) and 90-day (2.7%) from hospital discharged occurred in those not receiving appropriate prophylaxis, and discharged bleeding complications were also not associated with receivng appropriate discharged VTE prophylaxis. The findings our the study are significant as it highlights the ongoing need for standardization in VTE risk assessment and prevention measures to increase compliance to risk adjusted VTE prevention practice guidelines, thus reducing preventable VTE complications and potentially associated morbidity and mortality.

Surgical Treatment for Intrahepatic, Peri-Hilar, and Distal Cholangiocarcinoma: 20-Single Institutional Year Experience.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection is the curative treatment for all subtypes of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), including intrahepatic, hilar/peri-hilar, and distal. This study evaluates patients with CCA who underwent surgery and determines factors that impact their survival. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed for patients who underwent surgical resection for CCA at our institution from 1995 to 2016. Demographics, operative variables between CCA tumors, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Predictors of overall and recurrence-free survival were determined via statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 170 patients with a mean age of 61 years old underwent surgical resection of intrahepatic (n = 64, 37.6%), hilar/peri-hilar (n = 75, 44.1%), and distal (n = 31, 18.2%) CCA. Operations performed included liver resections (n = 83, 48.8%), liver transplants (n = 56, 32.9%), and pancreaticoduodenectomies (n = 31, 18.2%). The overall survival rate at 1, 5, and 10 years was 81.1%, 32.4%, and 17.2%, respectively. Low pathological stage and negative resection margins were associated with lower recurrence and higher survival rates. Tumor location and the type of operation performed were not predictive of recurrence or OS in this cohort. DISCUSSION: This study shows that definitive surgical resection with negative margins can result in long-term survival even at 10 years. Small tumor size and low pathological stage are predictive of higher survival rates post-surgery, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate surgical treatment in achieving positive outcomes.

Outcomes after repeat hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases from the colorectal liver operative metastasis international collaborative (COLOMIC).

BACKGROUND: Resection of colorectal liver metastasis (CLM) is beneficial when feasible. However, the benefit of second hepatectomy for hepatic recurrence in CLM remains unclear. METHODS: The Colorectal Liver Operative Metastasis International Collaborative retrospectively examined 1004 CLM cases from 2000 to 2018 from a total of 953 patients. Hepatic recurrence after initial hepatectomy was identified in 218 patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to offset selection bias. Cox proportional-hazards regression was performed to identify risk factors associated with OS. RESULTS: A total of 51 patients underwent second hepatectomy. Unadjusted median OS was 60.1 months in repeat-hepatectomy versus 38.3 months in the single-hepatectomy group (p = 0.015). In the PSM population, median OS remained significantly better in the repeat-hepatectomy group (60.1 vs. 33.1 months; p = 0.0023); median RFS was 12.4 months for the repeat-hepatectomy group, versus 9.8 months in the single-hepatectomy group (p = 0.0050). Repeat hepatectomy was associated with lower risk of death (hazard ratio: 0.283; p = 0.000012). Obesity, tobacco use, and high intraoperative blood loss were associated with significant risk of death (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In CLM with hepatic recurrence, second hepatectomy was beneficial for OS. With PSM, the OS benefit of performing a second hepatectomy remained significant.

Routine prophylactic abdominal drainage versus no-drain strategy after distal pancreatectomy: A multicenter propensity score matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: /Objectives Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains the most common complication after distal pancreatectomy (DP). Traditionally, surgical drains are placed routinely after DP, but some question its efficacy and postulate that the use of drains may convert a self-limiting postoperative collection into a POPF. This study aimed to compare outcomes between three institutions with varying drainage strategies. METHODS: The study is a retrospective propensity score-matched analysis of intraoperative prophylactic drain placement during DP (2010-2019). The primary outcome is major morbidity. Propensity score matching was used to obtain comparable groups. RESULTS: Overall, 963 patients after DP were included. One center did not place a surgical drain routinely, but decided to place a drain when unsatisfactory pancreatic closure occurred. Prophylactic abdominal drains were placed in 805 patients (84%) of which 74 could be matched to 74 patients without a drain. The rate of major morbidity (8% vs 19%, p = 0.054) and radiological interventions (5% vs 12%, p = 0.147) were non-significantly lower in the no-drain group as compared to the prophylactic drain group, respectively. The rates of POPF (4% vs 16%, p = 0.014) were lower in the no-drain group. CONCLUSION: In this international retrospective multicenter study, a selective no-drain strategy after DP was not associated with higher rates major morbidity or radiological interventions as compared to routine prophylactic abdominal drainage. Although the rate of POPF was lower in the no-drain group, randomized trials should confirm the safety and outcome of a no-drain strategy after DP.

Comparing Post-Operative Outcomes of Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Neoadjuvant Therapy Versus Surgery First Approach.

OBJECTIVES: Optimal use of surgery first (SF) vs neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still unclear. There is concern that NAT may result in worsened post-operative outcomes. Our study objectives were to show the impact of NAT on post-operative morbidity and mortality. METHODS: All patients undergoing resection for PDAC between 1/1/2010 and 12/31/2020 were reviewed and those who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) were included. Demographics, perioperative details, and pathology details were gathered. Data pertaining to 90-day complications were obtained and graded according to international consensus guidelines. Those undergoing SF were compared to those who had NAT. Categorical variables were compared by Fisher's exact test and continuous variables by Student's t-test. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-one subjects who underwent PD for PDAC were included in this review. There was no significant difference in the rate of major morbidity between subjects who received NAT vs SF (19.4 vs 20.3%, P = 1.0). Similarly, there were no significant differences in the rates of mortality (3.1 vs 4.2%, P = .742), post-operative pancreatic fistula (8.2 vs 10.5%, P = .658), or post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (7.1 vs 7.7%, P = 1.0), respectively. CONCLUSION: Post-operative outcomes are not worsened by the use of the NAT approach prior to PD for PDAC. Further investigation is needed to reveal which patient subgroups may benefit from the use of NAT, especially regarding survival.

Perioperative chemotherapy for resectable colorectal liver metastases: Analysis from the Colorectal Operative Liver Metastases International Collaborative (COLOMIC).

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy has been increasingly combined with surgery as multimodality treatment for resectable colorectal-liver metastases (CLM). There is paucity of clinical data addressing optimal timing of chemotherapy relative to surgery. We examined outcomes of patients undergoing hepatectomy for resectable CLM. METHODS: Seven hundred and eighteen patients treated with hepatectomy for CLM were analyzed from five hepatobiliary institutions between 2000 and 2018. Overall survival (OS) was measured from time of hepatectomy for patients receiving: surgery alone, neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and neoadjuvant-plus-adjuvant (perioperative) chemotherapy. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to detect differences in OS between treatment groups. Single- and multi-variable analysis with Cox proportional hazards were run for OS between groups. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-seven patients (19.08%) received surgery, 104 (14.48%) received neoadjuvant-only, 214 (29.81%) received adjuvant-only, and 263 (36.63%) received perioperative chemotherapy; with median OS of 48.20, 46.83, 56.27, and 49.93 months, respectively. No differences in median OS were seen between groups on Kaplan-Meier analysis. No significant difference in Charlson-Deyo comorbidity status was seen between groups (p = 0.853), while significant difference was seen in maximum tumor size (p = 0.0023). On multivariate analysis, adjuvant (p = 0.010) and perioperative (p = 0.020) chemotherapy were independently associated with OS compared to surgery alone. DISCUSSION: Despite group differences, chemotherapy after surgery was independently associated with improved OS in CLM.