Pancreatectomía corporocaudal laparoscópica y robótica, de elección y de futuro / Laparoscopic and robotic distal pancreatectomy: The choice and the future

Introducción La pancreatectomía distal (PD) mínimamente invasiva (MIS) está actualmente bien establecida, ya sea mediante técnica laparoscópica (PDL) o robótica (PDR).MétodosDe 83 PD realizadas entre enero del 2018 y marzo del 2022, se realizaron 57 casos (68,7%) mediante MIS, 35 PDL y 22 PDR (da Vinci Xi). Se evalúa la experiencia de ambos procedimientos y el valor del abordaje robótico. Se analizan en detalle los casos de conversión.ResultadosEl tiempo quirúrgico medio en las PDL y PDR fue de 201,2 (DE 47,8) y 247,54 (DE 35,8) min, (p=0,486). No se observaron diferencias en estancia hospitalaria ni en tasa de conversión, 6 (5-34) vs. 5,6 (5-22) días y 4 (11,4%) vs. 3 (13,6%) casos, respectivamente, (p=0.126). La tasa de reingresos fue de 3/35 (11,4%) y 6/22 (27,3%) casos, PDL vs. PDR respectivamente, (p=0.126).No existieron diferencias en morbilidad (Dindo-Clavien ≥ III) entre ambos grupos. La mortalidad fue de un caso en el grupo robótico (un paciente con conversión precoz por afectación vascular). La tasa de resecciones R0 fue mayor en el grupo robótico (77,1% vs. 90,9%) alcanzando la significación estadística, p=0,04.ConclusionesLa PDMIS es un procedimiento seguro y factible en pacientes seleccionados. Una planificación quirúrgica y la implementación escalonada basada en la experiencia previa ayudan a afrontar procedimientos técnicamente exigentes. Se sugiere que la PDR podría ser el abordaje de elección en la pancreatectomía corporocaudal, no siendo inferior a la PDL. (AU)

Introduction Distal pancreatectomy (DP) is currently well established as a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) procedure, using either a laparoscopic (LDP) or robotic (RDP) approach.MethodsOut of 83 DP performed between January 2018 and March 2022, 57 cases (68.7%) were performed using MIS: 35 LDP and 22 RDP (da Vinci Xi). We have assessed the experience with the 2techniques and analyzed the value of the robotic approach. Cases of conversion have been examined in detail.ResultsThe mean operative times for LDP and RDP were 201.2 (SD 47.8) and 247.54 (SD 35.8)min, respectively (p=0,486). No differences were observed in length of hospital stay or conversion rate: 6 (5–34) vs. 5.6 (5–22) days, and 4 (11.4%) vs. 3 (13.6%) cases, respectively (p=0.126). The readmission rate was 3/35 patients (11.4%) treated with LDP and 6/22 (27.3%) cases of RDP (p=0.126).There were no differences in morbidity (Dindo-Clavien≥III) between the 2groups. Mortality was one case in the robotic group (a patient with early conversion due to vascular involvement). The rate of R0 resection was greater and statistically significant in the RDP group (77.1% vs. 90.9%) (P=,04).ConclusionsMinimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) is a safe and feasible procedure in selected patients. Surgical planning and stepwise implementation based on prior experience help surgeons successfully perform technically demanding procedures. RDP could be the approach of choice in distal pancreatectomy, and it is not inferior to LDP. (AU)

Short-term effects of mobilization on oxygenation in patients after open surgery for pancreatic cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite the unequivocal role of progressive mobilization in post-surgical patient management, its specific effects and timing, particularly after abdominal surgery, remain debated. This study's aim was to examine the short-term effects of mobilization on oxygenation in hemodynamically stable patients after open surgery for pancreatic cancer. METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in which patients (n = 83) after open pancreatic surgery were randomized to either the same-day mobilization group (mobilized when hemodynamically stable within four hours after surgery) or the next-day mobilization group (mobilized first time in the morning of the first post-operative day). Mobilization was prescribed and modified based on hemodynamic and subjective responses with the goal of achieving maximal benefit with minimal risk. Blood gas samples were taken three times the evening after surgery; and before and after mobilization on the first post-operative day. Spirometry was conducted pre-operatively and on the first post-operative day. Adverse events and length of stay in postoperative intensive care were also recorded. RESULTS: With three dropouts, 80 patients participated (40 per group). All patients in the same-day mobilization group, minimally sat over the edge of the bed on the day of surgery and all patients (both groups) minimally sat over the edge of the bed the day after surgery. Compared with patients in the next-day mobilization group, patients in the same-day mobilization group required lower FiO2 and had higher SaO2/FiO2 at 1800 h on the day of surgery (p < .05). On the day after surgery, FiO2, SaO2/FiO2, PaO2/FiO2, and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, before and after mobilization, were superior in the same-day mobilization group (p < 0.05). No differences were observed between groups in PCO2, pH, spirometry or length stay in postoperative intensive care. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with patients after open pancreatic surgery in the next-day mobilization group, those in the same-day mobilization group, once hemodynamically stable, improved oxygenation to a greater extent after mobilization. Our findings support prescribed progressive mobilization in patients after pancreatic surgery (when hemodynamically stable and titrated to their individual responses and safety considerations), on the same day of surgery to augment oxygenation, potentially helping to reduce complications and hasten functional recovery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This prospective RCT was carried out at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden. The study was approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Gothenburg (Registration number: 437-17). TRIAL REGISTRATION: "FoU in Sweden" (Research and Development in Sweden, URL: https://www.researchweb.org/is/vgr ) id: 238701 Registered 13 December 2017 and Clinical Trials (URL:clinicaltrials.gov) NCT03466593. Registered 15 March 2018.

Exercise efficacy and prescription during treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection remains the only curative treatment for pancreatic cancer and is associated with significant post-operative morbidity and mortality. Patients eligible for surgery, increasingly receive neo-adjuvant therapy before surgery or adjuvant therapy afterward, inherently exposing them to toxicity. As such, optimizing physical function through exercise during treatment remains imperative to optimize quality of life either before surgery or during rehabilitation. However, current exercise efficacy and prescription in pancreatic cancer is unknown. Therefore, this study aims to summarise the published literature on exercise studies conducted in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing treatment with a focus on determining the current prescription and progression patterns being used in this population. METHODS: A systematic review of four databases identified studies evaluating the effects of exercise on aerobic fitness, muscle strength, physical function, body composition, fatigue and quality of life in participants with pancreatic cancer undergoing treatment, published up to 24 July 2020. Two reviewers independently reviewed and appraised the methodological quality of each study. RESULTS: Twelve studies with a total of 300 participants were included. Heterogeneity of the literature prevented meta-analysis. Exercise was associated with improvements in outcomes; however, study quality was variable with the majority of studies receiving a weak rating. CONCLUSIONS: High quality evidence regarding the efficacy and prescription of exercise in pancreatic cancer is lacking. Well-designed trials, which have received feedback and input from key stakeholders prior to implementation, are required to examine the impact of exercise in pancreatic cancer on key cancer related health outcomes.

Preoperative In-Hospital Rehabilitation Improves Physical Function in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer Scheduled for Surgery.

Low preoperative physical function in cancer patients is associated with postoperative complications; however, there have been no reports on the benefits of in-hospital preoperative rehabilitation on preoperative physical function in patients with pancreatic cancer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantitatively determine the effects of preoperative in-hospital rehabilitation provided under the supervision of a physiotherapist, on preoperative physical function in patients with pancreatic cancer. The study subjects were 26 patients (15 males, 11 females; age 71.2 ± 8.5 years, range: 51-87 years), including four patients with preoperative chemotherapy, scheduled for surgery for pancreatic cancer. Muscle strengthening exercises and aerobic exercises were conducted 11.9 ± 5.1 days prior to surgery. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing, 6-minute walk distance, and the Functional Independence Measure score were measured before and after the rehabilitation program. We also investigated the relation between the rehabilitation program and incidence of postoperative complications. All 26 study patients completed the preoperative rehabilitation program and no adverse events were noted. Peak oxygen uptake during cardiopulmonary exercise testing and 6-minute walk distance increased significantly after the rehabilitation program. The Functional Independence Measure score remained constant throughout the intervention. No wound infection, delirium, deep vein thrombosis, or respiratory complications were encountered postoperatively. In-hospital preoperative rehabilitation under the supervision of a physiotherapist significantly improved physical function and maintained physical activity in patients with pancreatic cancer. Such improvements may contribute toward preventing serious postoperative complications, resulting in better outcomes.

Rehabilitation strategies following oesophagogastric and Hepatopancreaticobiliary cancer (ReStOre II): a protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Curative treatment for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) and hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) cancers, involves complex surgical resection often in combination with neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemo/chemoradiotherapy. With advancing survival rates, there is an emergent cohort of UGI and HPB cancer survivors with physical and nutritional deficits, resultant from both the cancer and its treatments. Therefore, rehabilitation to counteract these impairments is required to maximise health related quality of life (HRQOL) in survivorship. The initial feasibility of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme for UGI survivors was established in the Rehabilitation Strategies following Oesophago-gastric Cancer (ReStOre) feasibility study and pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT). ReStOre II will now further investigate the efficacy of that programme as it applies to a wider cohort of UGI and HPB cancer survivors, namely survivors of cancer of the oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, and liver. METHODS: The ReStOre II RCT will compare a 12-week multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme of supervised and self-managed exercise, dietary counselling, and education to standard survivorship care in a cohort of UGI and HPB cancer survivors who are > 3-months post-oesophagectomy/ gastrectomy/ pancreaticoduodenectomy, or major liver resection. One hundred twenty participants (60 per study arm) will be recruited to establish a mean increase in the primary outcome (cardiorespiratory fitness) of 3.5 ml/min/kg with 90% power, 5% significance allowing for 20% drop out. Study outcomes of physical function, body composition, nutritional status, HRQOL, and fatigue will be measured at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and 3-months follow-up (T2). At 1-year follow-up (T3), HRQOL alone will be measured. The impact of ReStOre II on well-being will be examined qualitatively with focus groups/interviews (T1, T2). Bio-samples will be collected from T0-T2 to establish a national UGI and HPB cancer survivorship biobank. The cost effectiveness of ReStOre II will also be analysed. DISCUSSION: This RCT will investigate the efficacy of a 12-week multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme for survivors of UGI and HPB cancer compared to standard survivorship care. If effective, ReStOre II will provide an exemplar model of rehabilitation for UGI and HPB cancer survivors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, registration number: NCT03958019, date registered: 21/05/2019.

Supports and Barriers to Home-Based Physical Activity During Preoperative Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer: A Mixed-Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity and exercise appear to benefit patients receiving preoperative treatment for cancer. Supports and barriers must be considered to increase compliance with home-based exercise prescriptions in this setting. Such influences have not been previously examined. METHODS: The authors used quantitative and qualitative methods to examine potential physical activity influences among patients who were prescribed home-based aerobic and strengthening exercises concurrent with preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiation for pancreatic cancer. Physical activity was measured using exercise logs and accelerometers. Social support for exercise and perceived neighborhood walkability were measured using validated surveys. Relationships between influences and physical activity were evaluated using linear regression analyses and qualitative interviews. RESULTS: Fifty patients received treatment for a mean of 16 (9) weeks prior to planned surgical resection. Social support from friends and neighborhood esthetics were positively associated with physical activity (P < .05). In interviews, patients confirmed the importance of these influences and cited encouragement from health care providers and desire to complete and recover from treatment as additional motivators. CONCLUSIONS: Interpersonal and environmental motivators of exercise and physical activity must be considered in the design of future home-based exercise interventions designed for patients receiving preoperative therapy for cancer.

Feasibility of early multimodal interventions for elderly patients with advanced pancreatic and non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Combinations of exercise and nutritional interventions might improve the functional prognosis for cachectic cancer patients. However, high attrition and poor compliance with interventions limit their efficacy. We aimed to test the feasibility of the early induction of new multimodal interventions specific for elderly patients with advanced cancer Nutrition and Exercise Treatment for Advanced Cancer (NEXTAC) programme. METHODS: This was a multicentre prospective single-arm study. We recruited 30 of 46 screened patients aged ≥70 years scheduled to receive first-line chemotherapy for newly diagnosed, advanced pancreatic, or non-small-cell lung cancer. Physical activity was measured using pedometers/accelerometer (Lifecorder® , Suzuken Co., Ltd., Japan). An 8 week educational intervention comprised three exercise and three nutritional sessions. The exercise interventions combined home-based low-intensity resistance training and counselling to promote physical activity. Nutritional interventions included standard nutritional counselling and instruction on how to manage symptoms that interfere with patient's appetite and oral intake. Supplements rich in branched-chain amino acids (Inner Power® , Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Japan) were provided. The primary endpoint of the study was feasibility, which was defined as the proportion of patients attending ≥4 of six sessions. Secondary endpoints included compliance and safety. RESULTS: The median patient age was 75 years (range, 70-84). Twelve patients (40%) were cachectic at baseline. Twenty-nine patients attended ≥4 of the six planned sessions (96.7%, 95% confidence interval, 83.3 to 99.4). One patient dropped out due to deteriorating health status. The median proportion of days of compliance with supplement consumption and exercise performance were 99% and 91%, respectively. Adverse events possibly related to the NEXTAC programme were observed in five patients and included muscle pain (Grade 1 in two patients), arthralgia (Grade 1 in one patient), dyspnoea on exertion (Grade 1 in one patient), and plantar aponeurositis (Grade 1 in one patient). CONCLUSIONS: The early induction of multimodal interventions showed excellent compliance and safety in elderly patients with newly diagnosed pancreatic and non-small-cell lung cancer receiving concurrent chemotherapy. We are now conducting a randomized phase II study to measure the impact of these interventions on functional prognosis.

Clinical Benefit of Preoperative Exercise and Nutritional Therapy for Patients Undergoing Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgeries for Malignancy.

BACKGROUND: The impact of prehabilitation on physical fitness and postoperative course after hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgeries for malignancy is unknown. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative exercise and nutritional therapies on nutritional status, physical fitness, and postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing an invasive HPB surgery for malignancy. METHODS: Patients who underwent open abdominal surgeries for HPB malignancies (major hepatectomy, pancreatoduodenectomy, or hepato-pancreatoduodenectomy) between 2016 and 2017 were subjected to prehabilitation. Patients before the introduction of prehabilitation were included as historical control subjects for 1:1 propensity score-matching (no-prehabilitation group). The preoperative nutritional status and postoperative course were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The prehabilitation group consisted of 76 patients scheduled to undergo HPB surgeries for malignancy. An identical number of patients were selected as the no-prehabilitation group after propensity score-matching. During the waiting period, serum albumin levels were significantly deteriorated in the no-prehabilitation group, whereas this index did not deteriorate or even improved in the prehabilitation group. By performing prehabilitation, a 6-min walk distance and total muscle/fat ratio were significantly increased during the waiting period. Although the overall incidence of postoperative complications did not differ between the two groups, the postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the prehabilitation group than in the no-prehabilitation group (median, 23 vs 30 days; p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: The introduction of prehabilitation prevented nutritional deterioration, improved physical fitness before surgery, and shortened the postoperative hospital stay for the patients undergoing HPB surgeries for malignancy.

Enhanced recovery after surgery protocol enhances early postoperative recovery after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol is a multimodal, multidisciplinary and evidence-based approach to reduce surgical stress and enhance recovery in the postoperative period. This study aimed to analyze the outcome of ERAS protocol in patients after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). METHODS: A total of 50 consecutive patients with pancreatic/periampullary cancer who underwent PD between January 2016 to August 2017 were included in the study. As per the institute ERAS protocol, nasogastric tube (NGT) was removed on postoperative day (POD) 1 if output was less than 200 mL and oral sips were allowed; oral liquids were allowed on POD2; semisolid diet by POD3; abdominal drain was removed on POD 4 if output was less than 100 mL with no evidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF); normal diet was allowed on POD5. Discharge criteria on POD6 were afebrile, tolerating oral normal diet, pain free and no surgery related complications (defined as per the ISGPS definitions). RESULTS: NGT was removed on POD1 in 45 (90%) patients, abdominal drain removed by POD4 in 41 (82%) and 43 (86%) patients were discharged on POD6. There was no 30-day postoperative mortality. Three (6%) patients had delayed gastric emptying (DGE). None had postoperative hemorrhage and POPF. Readmission rate was 8%. A significant relation was found between the length of hospital stay (LOS) with age (P < 0.05) and a marginal relation between LOS and postoperative albumin (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ERAS protocol can be safely followed in the perioperative care of patients who undergo PD. Early removal of NGT and allowing oral diet restore bowel function early. ERAS decreases the LOS and postoperative complications.

Gut disruption impairs rehabilitation in patients curatively operated for pancreaticoduodenal cancer - a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: How patients recover and resume everyday life after curative hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery with intestinal reconstruction has, to our knowledge, not previously been investigated. We wanted to explore the patient experience in order to develop our capability to support their rehabilitation and identify interventional gaps in the current post-surgical care of these patients. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore patients' experiences of their gut, digestion, recovery and uptake of everyday life after HPB surgery with intestinal reconstruction. METHODS: A qualitative explorative study with semi-structured interviews with 12 patients. We analysed data using qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach. RESULTS: Two main themes with six sub-themes emerged from the analysis: 1. "Disrupted gut" covering the sub-themes: the weakened body; fighting cachexia; re-aligning to the altered body. 2. "Recovery work" with the sub-themes: the value of municipal rehabilitation programmes; reclaiming the sociality of meals; going back to work. The patients described overarching digestive changes, predominantly diarrhea and nausea. Diarrhea and nausea challenged rehabilitation efforts and limited patients' participation in social activities. Patients toiled to regain strength and every-day life as it was before surgery. Current municipal rehabilitation programmes facilitated these efforts. CONCLUSIONS: The patients articulated an overarching experience of gut disruption, predominantly presenting as nausea, diarrhea and difficulty eating. This challenged their recovery work and uptake of every-day life. Specialised follow-up at expert centres might mitigate the sequelae of gut disruption after HPB surgery. We suggest that follow-up programmes systematically monitor the experienced symptoms of gut disruption with HPB-specific PROMS. Furthermore, research into the pathophysiology of cachexia and novel interventions for reducing cachexia and weakness after curative HPB surgery is relevant.

Safety and feasibility of enhanced recovery after surgery in the patients underwent distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer.

PURPOSE: This study assessed whether our enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program for distal pancreatectomy (DP) is safe and feasible. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The subjects were patients who underwent consecutive DP between 2012 and 2014 at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kanagawa Cancer Center. They received perioperative care according to ERAS program. All data were retrieved retrospectively. Outcome measures included postoperative mortality, morbidity, hospitalization, and 30-day readmission rate. Our ERAS program included 12 elements (4 preoperative elements, 3 intraoperative elements, and 5 postoperative elements). RESULTS: A total of 44 patients were studied. The overall incidence of morbidity was 29.5%, the incidence of mortality was 0%, and the incidence of readmission was 0%. Four preoperative elements and 3 intraoperative elements seemed feasible. Among the 5 postoperative elements, 4 elements seemed feasible, accounting 90%< performance rate however the early removal of catheters and drain seemed not feasible. The median postoperative hospital stay was 14 days (range: 8-39 days). The median postoperative hospital stay was 13 days (range: 8-27 days) in patients without postoperative complications while the median postoperative hospital stay was 26 days (range: 14-39 days) in patients with postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: This study results suggested that our ERAS program is safe and feasible in patients who undergo DP. However, achieving compliance on the postoperative element, especially the removal of catcher and drain, was more challenging.

Modified protocol for enhanced recovery after surgery is beneficial for Chinese cancer patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Radical surgical resection remains the only effective treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer. Effective protocols for recovery from post-operative complications that result in high rates of morbidity and mortality are therefore essential. The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol is an interdisciplinary multimodal concept based on modern anesthesia and analgesia combined with other fast rehabilitation parameters. It was first applied in the field of elective colorectal surgery, and eventually extended to several surgical diseases. In this study, we investigated the feasibility and safety of implementing the ERAS protocol in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). We randomly divided 159 patients who underwent PD into two groups who were managed using either ERAS or the conventional protocol. We observed that in those treated with the ERAS protocol several post-operative recovery factors were greatly improved, and there were no complications requiring readmission. We therefore propose that ERAS can improve post-operative recovery of PD patients and shorten the waiting time to chemotherapy, which may improve the overall survival of surgically treated pancreatic cancer patients.

Exercise as medicine in the management of pancreatic cancer: a case study.

INTRODUCTION: Given the poor prognosis for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, therapies that enhance the ability to tolerate adjuvant treatments, reduce the loss of physical functioning and optimize quality of life are critically important. Exercise may represent such a therapy; however, no previous research has investigated the potential impact of exercise on outcomes in pancreatic cancer patients. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of a 6-month supervised exercise program in a pancreatic cancer patient undergoing adjuvant treatment. METHODS: A case study was performed on a 49-yr-old male diagnosed with stage IIb pancreatic cancer. The patient had surgery (Whipple resection) followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (gemcitabine and fluorouracil) and radiotherapy (45 Gy). The patient initiated a supervised exercise program involving twice weekly resistance and aerobic exercise sessions during adjuvant therapy. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of exercise. RESULTS: The exercise program was well tolerated with 73% attendance throughout the 6 months. No treatment toxicities prevented the patient from complying with adjuvant treatment plans. Considerable improvements were observed at both 3- and 6-month assessment points for all measures of physical capacity and functional ability, lean mass, physical activity levels, general health and disease-specific quality of life, cancer-related fatigue, sleep quality, and psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: In this first reported clinical case, exercise led to improvements in a variety of patient outcomes during adjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer. This initial evidence has important clinical implications, indicating that exercise may be an effective adjunct therapy for the management of pancreatic cancer. Future trials are needed to confirm and expand our initial findings.

Pain palliation by endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) represents an alternative approach to pain palliation in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. AIM: to evaluate the safety and initial efficacy of EUS-CPN in patients with painful unresectable pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Patients with inoperable body-tail pancreatic adenocarcinoma without prior chemotherapy and pain requiring opioid analgesia were included prospectively in this cohort study in a tertiary medical center. Central EUS-CPN was performed and the brief pain inventory and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy measurement were applied before and 2 weeks after the procedure. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients underwent the procedure in one session without complications. Follow-up revealed overall pain relief in 24 patients (75%) and significant improvement in pain scores. Ratings of pain interfering with general activity, walking, work, mood, enjoyment of life, relations with others, and sleep improved significantly. Physical, functional, and emotional well-being improved significantly, except for acceptance of illness and enjoyment of life. CONCLUSION: Central EUS-CPN was an efficient and safe method for palliative pain management in our patients with inoperable pancreatic body-tail adenocarcinoma. The pain alleviation improved the patients' functional status, sleep, and quality of life, although other variables could also be involved, but acceptance of the illness and enjoyment of life did not change after treatment.

[Palliative rehabilitation of two patients with terminal stage cancer: a visit to patient's home and the provision of advice by a nurse and rehabilitation staff members before discharge--from physical therapist's perspective].

We report two patients with terminal stage cancer who spent some days at their home after a physical therapist, occupational therapist, nurse, and medical social worker all visited the patients' homes and advised the patients' family in regard to the appropriate care before the patients were discharged as a strategy for palliative rehabilitation. Case 1: A patient suffering from terminal stage cancer was bed-ridden because of a pathological fracture of the femur. After palliative rehabilitation, the patient was able to get out of the bed and improved her daily living activity level through physical therapy. She spent some days at home according to the results of the pre-discharge home visit guidance to her family. Case 2: A patient suffering from terminal stage cancer manifested symptoms of fatigue and generalized muscular weakness. After palliative rehabilitation, her muscle strength and physical endurance were improved by physical therapy and adjustment of the bed height. Because she was eager to go home, we took her to her home before being discharged, and she was able to spend a few hours at home. Pre-discharge home visit guidance by a nurse and rehabilitation staff members to the patient' s family in regard to appropriate home care may therefore be a good means of satisfying such patients' desire to see their home once more and thereby improve their quality of life.

Relato de caso: terapia nutricional no pós-operatório de Whipple / Case report: nutritional therapy after Whipple procedure

A cirurgia de Whipple, realizada em pacientes com câncer de pâncreas, duodeno e papila de Vater, apresenta elevada morbimortalidade. A terapia nutricional torna-se imprescindível para auxiliar na recuperação desses pacientes. Relatar o caso de um paciente submetido à cirurgia de Whipple no Hospital Regional da Asa Norte, Brasília, DF e discutir a terapia nutricional instituída no pós-operatório. Trata-se de um estudo de caso clínico compreendido entre o período de 08/11/2008 a 24/12/2008 onde se averiguou toda a evolução clínica e nutricional do paciente no pré e pós-operatório de Whipple. O paciente iniciou dieta por sonda nasoenteral com localização jejunal no sexto dia pós-operatório e no nono dia pós-operatório foi iniciada dieta via oral, líquida de prova, evoluindo consistência conforme tolerância, atingindo dieta de consistência branda no décimo segundo dia pós-operatório. Apresentou náuseas e vômitos sugestivos de gastroparesia decorrente do pós-operatório, além de regular aceitação da dieta via oral, com perda ponderal de 0,7kg no pós-operatório até a alta hospitalar. Apesar da presença dos sintomas gastrintestinais terem sido um fator limitante para a recuperação do paciente, a terapia nutricional instituída demonstrou benefícios na atenuação da perda ponderal. Porém, devido à escassez na literatura em relação à conduta dietoterápica após esse procedimento cirúrgico, elaborou-se uma sugestão de protocolo de terapia nutricional baseado nas evidências da prática clínica aplicada no hospital e nos dados obtidos na pesquisa bibliográfica sobre o tema.

The Whipple procedure on patients with cancer of the pancreas, duodenum and papilla of Vater, presents high rate of morbimortality. The nutritional therapy becomes essential to assist on therecovery of these patients. To report a case of a patient submitted to the Whipple procedure in the Regional Hospital of Asa Norte, Brasilia-DF, Brazil, and to discuss the postoperative nutritional therapy instituted. The study consists of a clinical case followed between 11/08/2008 thrugh 12/24/2008 where the clinical and nutritional evolution of the patient, before and after the Whipple procedure, were assessed. The patient´s diet was initiated on the 6th postoperative daythrough a nasoenteral tube into a jejunal location, and on the 9th day an oral diet was initiated, with clear liquid and increasing in consistency according to tolerance, until reaching a smooth consistency diet on the 12th day. He presented nausea and vomiting suggestive of gastroparesis associatedwith the post-operatory, besides regular acceptance of oral diet, with a ponderal loss of 0,7 kg on the period post-surgery until hospital discharge. Although the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms were a limiting factor for the patient recovery, the instituted nutritional therapy demonstrated benefits to the attenuation of the ponderal loss. However, due to lack of literature regarding dietotherapic conduct after this surgical procedure, a suggestion of nutritional therapy protocol was elaborated based on evidences of the clinical practices applied in the hospital and on the data obtained through a bibliographical research.

Long term survivors with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with gemcitabine: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma has a short median overall survival (OS) of 5-6 months. However, a subgroup of patients survives more than 1 year. We analyzed the survival outcomes of this subgroup and evaluated clinical and pathological factors that might affect survival durations. METHODS: We identified 20 patients with metastatic or recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma who received single-agent gemcitabine and had an OS longer than 1 year. Baseline data available after the diagnosis of metastatic or recurrent disease was categorized as: 1) clinical/demographic data (age, gender, ECOG PS, number and location of metastatic sites); 2) Laboratory data (Hematocrit, hemoglobin, glucose, LDH, renal and liver function and CA19-9); 3) Pathologic data (margins, nodal status and grade); 4) Outcomes data (OS, Time to Treatment Failure (TTF), and 2 year-OS). The lowest CA19-9 levels during treatment with gemcitabine were also recorded. We performed a univariate analysis with OS as the outcome variable. RESULTS: Baseline logarithm of CA19-9 and total bilirubin had a significant impact on OS (HR = 1.32 and 1.31, respectively). Median OS and TTF on gemcitabine were 26.9 (95% CI = 18 to 32) and 11.5 (95% CI = 9.0 to 14.3) months, respectively. Two-year OS was 56.4%, with 7 patients alive at the time of analysis. CONCLUSION: A subgroup of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer has prolonged survival after treatment with gemcitabine. Only bilirubin and CA 19-9 levels were predictive of longer survival in this population. Further analysis of potential prognostic and predictive markers of response to treatment and survival are needed.

Anxiety symptoms and panic attacks preceding pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

Cancer of the pancreas is a highly malignant disease with a very poor prognosis. Depression and anxiety occur more frequently in cancer of the pancreas than they do in other forms of intra-abdominal malignancies and other cancers in general. Yet, the etiology of psychiatric symptoms in patients with cancer of the pancreas may not be traced solely to poor prognosis, pain, or existential issues related to death and dying. In as many as half of patients that go on to be diagnosed with the disease, symptoms of depression and anxiety precede knowledge of the diagnosis. This observation has raised speculation that mood and anxiety syndromes are related to disruption in one of the physiologic functions of the pancreas. In this paper, we present a patient who had no prior psychiatric history and developed panic attacks just prior to diagnosis of her cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature where panic attacks, not simply anxiety, presented prior to a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Her symptoms resolved following resection of the tumor. Implications of such phenomena for the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety and depression in pancreas cancer are discussed.