Prognostic Nomograms for Patients With NF-Pan-NET After Pancreatectomy: A Retrospective Analysis Based on SEER Database.

AIMS: Surgical resection is the primary treatment option for patients diagnosed with nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-Pan-NETs). However, the postoperative prognostic evaluation for NF-Pan-NET patients remains obscure. This study aimed to construct an efficient model to predict the prognosis of NF-Pan-NET patients who have received surgical resection. METHODS: NF-Pan-NET patients after pancreatectomy were retrieved from the SEER database for the period of 2010 to 2019. A total of 2844 patients with NF-Pan-NET from SEER database were included in our study. After careful screening, six clinicopathological variables including age, grade, AJCC T stage, AJCC N stage, AJCC M stage, and chemotherapy were selected to develop nomograms to predict overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) respectively of the patients. RESULTS: The novel models demonstrated high accuracy and discrimination in prognosticating resected NF-Pan-NET through various validation methods. Furthermore, the risk subgroups classified by the newly developed risk stratification systems based on the nomograms exhibited significant differences in both OS and CSS, surpassing the efficacy of the AJCC 8th TNM staging system. Novel nomograms and corresponding risk classification systems were developed to predict OS and CSS in patients with NF-Pan-NET after pancreatectomy. CONCLUSION: The models demonstrated superior performance compared to traditional staging systems, providing clinicians with more accurate and personalized guidance for postoperative surveillance and treatment.

Oral Protein Supplements Might Improve Nutritional Status and Quality of Life in Elderly Patients after Standard Pancreatic Resection.

Elderly patients who undergo pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) or distal pancreatectomy (DP) experience not only a reduction in protein intake but also a decrease in protease secretion, leading to impaired protein digestion and absorption. This increases the risk of malnutrition and creates a dual burden of sarcopenia. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examined the impact of protein supplements on the nutritional status and quality of life (QoL) of elderly patients after PPPD and DP surgeries. For six weeks, the case group (CG; n = 23) consumed protein supplements containing 18 g of protein daily, while the placebo group (PG; n = 18) consumed a placebo with the same amount of carbohydrate. In elderly patients where protein digestion and intake were compromised, the CG showed significantly higher protein intake (77.3 ± 5.3 g vs. 56.7 ± 6.0 g, p = 0.049), improved QoL, better nutritional status, and faster walking speed compared to the PG. Protein intake was positively correlated with muscle mass and phase angle. Protein supplementation may not only increase protein intake but also improve clinical outcomes such as walking speed, nutritional status, and QoL in elderly post-surgical patients at high risk of sarcopenia. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal dosage and long-term effects.

A novel nomogram based on the number of positive lymph nodes can predict the overall survival of patients with pancreatic head cancer after radical surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to construct a novel nomogram based on the number of positive lymph nodes to predict the overall survival of patients with pancreatic head cancer after radical surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 2271 and 973 patients in the SEER Database were included in the development set and validation set, respectively. The primary clinical endpoint was OS (overall survival). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to screen independent risk factors of OS, and then independent risk factors were used to construct a novel nomogram. The C-index, calibration curves, and decision analysis curves were used to evaluate the predictive power of the nomogram in the development and validation sets. RESULTS: After multivariate Cox regression analysis, the independent risk factors for OS included age, tumor extent, chemotherapy, tumor size, LN (lymph nodes) examined, and LN positive. A nomogram was constructed by using independent risk factors for OS. The C-index of the nomogram for OS was 0.652 [(95% confidence interval (CI): 0.639-0.666)] and 0.661 (95%CI: 0.641-0.680) in the development and validation sets, respectively. The calibration curves and decision analysis curves proved that the nomogram had good predictive ability. CONCLUSIONS: The nomogram based on the number of positive LN can effectively predict the overall survival of patients with pancreatic head cancer after surgery.

Drainage and irrigation on demand may decrease severe septic complications and mortality in pancreatic resections.

PURPOSE: The necessity of routine drain placement in pancreatic resections is controversial. Some randomized controlled trials have shown that the omission of drainage is safe for some patients, whereas reintervention rates and mortality rates are substantial for others. The present study aimed to assess fistula-associated outcomes in the setting of routine drain placement and drain irrigation on demand. METHODS: Between 01/2017 and 12/2022, perioperative and outcome data from patients who underwent consecutive pancreatoduodenectomies (PD, n = 253) or distal pancreatectomies (DP, n = 72) were prospectively collected in the electronic StuDoQ database and analysed. All patients underwent intraoperative drain placement. Drains were removed starting at postoperative day 2 in PD or at day 5 in DP after testing for amylase concentration. In case of high amylase levels or macroscopically suspicious pancreatic fistulas, drain irrigation was started. Nondrained fluid collections underwent percutaneous radiologic or transluminal endoscopic evacuation. RESULTS: Clinically relevant pancreatic fistulas were detected in 53 of 325 patients (POPF grade B 16.3%, grade C 1.2%). 43.3% of those had drain irrigation. Additional interventional or endoscopic drainage was necessary in 14 and 5 patients, respectively (overall 5.8%), and were observed in 4.0% of patients with PD and in 12.5% with DP (p = 0.009). Delayed fistula-associated postpancreatectomy haemorrhage (PPH) was present in 1.2% (4/325) of patients. The fistula- and delayed PPH-associated reoperation rate was 1.5% (5/325). The 30-day and in-hospital mortality rates were both 1.5% (5/325), and the rate of fistula-associated mortality was 0.6% (2/325). The overall 90-day mortality rate was 4.5%. CONCLUSIONS: In pancreatectomies, a standardized drainage protocol including on-demand drain irrigation results in very low fistula-associated morbidity and mortality and an infrequent need for interventional or surgical reintervention as compared to previously published drainage studies.

Locally Advanced Pancreas Cancer, Is There a Role for Surgery?

Locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) represents a unique clinical scenario in which the tumor is considered localized but unresectable due to anatomic factors. Despite a consensus against upfront surgery, no standard approach to induction therapy exists for patients with LAPC. Extended systemic therapy has shown promise in establishing tumor response and remains the standard of care. While associated with improved local control, the timing and role of radiation therapy remain in question. Following adequate response to induction chemotherapy, a safe attempt at margin-negative resection can be considered. Special attention should be given to required vascular skeletonization and/or resection with reconstruction.

Surgery for Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Preoperative Planning, Technical Considerations, and Building a Program.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy, first described in 1935, has subsequently been refined over decades into the operation performed today for tumors of the pancreatic head and periampullary region. For years following Whipple's first publication, tumors found to be inseparable from the surrounding vasculature were considered locoregionally advanced and unresectable. Fortner began performing regional pancreatectomy with routine enbloc resection of the portal vein/superior mesenteric vein in an attempt to address high local recurrence rates and high rates of aborted operations due to vascular involvement.

A Review of the Indications, Outcomes, and Postoperative Management After Total and Completion Pancreatectomy for Pancreatic Cancer: More Is Not Necessarily Better.

With improvements in surgical technique and advances in pancreatic endocrine and exocrine replacement therapy, the indications for, and threshold to perform, total or completion pancreatectomy in the modern surgical era are ever evolving. The following review will evaluate such indications for pancreatic cancer including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms. The authors also review the literature on oncologic outcomes of total and completion pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer. Finally, they discuss the quality of life and postoperative management of the a-pancreatic state.

Advances in Management of Nonfunctional Pancreas Neuroendocrine Tumors.

This article presents updates in the surgical management of non-functional sporadic pancreas neuroendocrine tumors NET, including considerations for assessment of biologic behavior to support decision-making, indications for surgery, and surgical approaches tailored to the unique nature of neuroendocrine tumors.

The Role of Surgery in "Oligometastatic" Pancreas Cancer.

The majority of patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer already have metastatic disease at the time of presentation, which results in a 5-year survival rate of only 13%. However, multiagent chemotherapy regimens can stabilize the disease in select patients with limited metastatic disease. For such patients, a combination of curative-intent therapy and systemic therapy may potentially enhance outcomes compared to using systemic therapy alone. Of note, the evidence supporting this approach is primarily derived from retrospective studies and may carry a significant selection bias. Looking ahead, ongoing prospective trials are exploring the efficacy of curative-intent therapy in managing oligometastatic pancreatic cancer and the implementation of treatment strategies based on specific biomarkers. The emergence of these trials, coupled with the development of less invasive therapeutic modalities, provides hope for patients with oligometastatic pancreatic cancer.

Minimally Invasive Pancreas Surgery: Is There a Benefit?

Minimally invasive procedures minimize trauma to the human body while maintaining satisfactory therapeutic results. Minimally invasive pancreas surgery (MIPS) was introduced in 1994, but questions regarding its efficacy compared to an open approach were widespread. MIPS is associated with several perioperative advantages while maintaining oncological standards when performed by surgeons with a robust training regimen and frequent practice. Future research should focus on addressing learning curve discrepancies while identifying factors associated with shortening the time needed to attain technical proficiency.

The Grade C Pancreatic Fistula.

Grade C pancreatic fistulas are associated with severe morbidity and a significant risk of mortality. High-risk pancreatic anastomoses can be predicted to allow best practice fistula mitigation techniques. In these high-risk glands, any deviation from a stable postoperative clinical course should prompt early computed tomography and aggressive, percutaneous drainage of the operative bed. If salvage surgery is necessary, drainage of the operative bed and/or external diversion of pancreatic juice via stenting while completion pancreatectomy should be avoided. Senior mentorship in the perioperative period offers an opportunity to decrease this complication even in early career surgeons.

Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Therapy in Resectable Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

While pancreatic adenocarcinoma requires surgical resection definitive cure, treatment paradigms are shifting toward a neoadjuvant approach to systemic therapy. Rationale is twofold: micro-metastatic disease is likely present in a majority of patients, reinforcing the importance of systemic therapy regardless of resectability; moreover, systemic therapy is well-tolerated and improves surgical outcomes when delivered preoperatively. Second, a neoadjuvant approach allows for selection of biology and patients most likely to benefit from potentially morbid surgery. This review examines the increasing body of evidence in support of empiric neoadjuvant therapy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Impact on survival of sarcopenia, systemic inflammatory response and anthropometric factors after pancreatectomy for resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is becoming a public health issue with a 5-years survival rate around 10%. Patients with PDAC are often sarcopenic, which impacts postoperative outcome. At the same time, overweight population is increasing and adipose tissue promotes tumor related-inflammation. With several studies supporting independently these data, we aimed to assess if they held an impact on survival when combined. METHODS: We included 232 patients from two university hospitals (CHU de Lille, Institut Paoli Calmette), from January 2011 to December 2018, who underwent Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for resectable PDAC. Preoperative CT scan was used to measure sarcopenia and visceral fat according to international cut-offs. Neutrophil to lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratios (PLR) were used to measure inflammation. For univariate and multivariate analyses, the Cox proportional-hazard model was used. P-values below 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Sarcopenic patients with visceral obesity were less likely to survive than the others in multivariate analysis (OS, HR 1.65, p= 0.043). Cutaneous obesity did not influence survival. We also observed an influence on survival when we studied sarcopenia with visceral obesity (OS, p= 0.056; PFS, p = 0.014), sarcopenia with cutaneous obesity (PFS, p= 0.005) and sarcopenia with PLR (PFS, p= 0.043). This poor prognosis was also found in sarcopenic obese patients with high PLR (OS, p= 0.05; PFS, p= 0.01). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenic obesity was associated with poor prognosis after PD for PDAC, especially in patients with systemic inflammation. Pre operative management of these factors should be addressed in pancreatic cancer patients.

Successful Localization by Hyperselective Arterial Calcium Injection Test for Surgical Resection of Insulinoma: A Case Report.

Surgery is the main treatment for insulinoma, and precise preoperative localization is important to determine the extent of resection and to rule out multiple lesions. The selective arterial calcium injection (SACI) test is instrumental in the localization of insulinoma. Here we report a patient in whom the exact location of pancreatic insulinoma could not be determined by the conventional SACI test, and thus surgery was replaced with oral diazoxide. The hyperselective SACI test subsequently localized the lesion accurately, allowing surgical resection of the pancreatic body and tail while preserving the pancreatic head. We recommend the use of the hyperselective SACI test when the conventional SACI test fails to accurately determine the location of insulinoma lesions within the pancreas.

Fully laparoscopic distal splenic pancreatectomy with prophylactic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (with video).

Peritoneal involvement represents one of the major difficulties that arise during the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In fact, currently, there is a growing interest in the administration of intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) as an adjunct to surgical pancreatic resection, both with prophylactic or therapeutic intent. With this video, we report a case of pancreatic body adenocarcinoma treated with fully laparoscopic distal splenic pancreatectomy with intraoperative HIPEC with gemcitabine, administered initially with a prophylactic intent, based on a preliminary negative peritoneal washing cytology result. In our case, the association of HIPEC and surgical resection did not affect the postoperative recovery, and after 15 months of follow-up, the patient remains alive and has no signs of disease recurrence.