Surgical Treatment for an Esophageal Carcinoma With a Pancreatic Pseudocyst.

The challenge for surgical management of a pancreatic pseudocyst during esophagectomy is not only to preserve the gastric wall, but also to avoid forming a pancreatic fistula. We report a case of a 54-year-old man with an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who had a synchronous pancreatic pseudocyst. Roux-en-Y cystojejunostomy was performed during a McKeown esophagectomy to enable drainage of the pancreatic pseudocyst through the jejunum. The patient recovered after the operation, and the formation of a pancreatic fistula was avoided successfully.

[Optimization of Operative Procedure in Total Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy (with Video)].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize operative procedure on intraoperative exploration, resection and reconstruction in total laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD). METHODS: The clinical data of patients who underwent total LPD in West China Hospital (and Shangjin Hospital) of Sichuan University from Dec. 2015 to Dec. 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The diagnosis of the patients included ampullar cancer, distal common bile duct cancer, benign and maligant tumors of pancreatic head and chronic pancreatitis of pancreatic head. The patients were divided into experimental group and control group according to weather the optimization of operative procedure was used. The position and Trocar arrangement in both groups were same. Two Chief Surgeons Model was used in experimental group, the procedure was divided into three key steps: laparoscopic exploration, resection and reconstruction, each followed anticlockwise operative process, from left to right, from shallow to deep (see the Videos 1 to 3 in Supplemental Contents, http://ykxb.scu.edu.cn/article/doi/10.12182/202007606108). As to control group, the chief operation was finished by chief surgeon and no specific operative procedure was applied. All the patients were followed up to postoperative 90 d. RESULTS: A total of 146 patients were collected, including 76 patients undergoing LPD with optimization of operative procedure and 70 patients in the control group. There was no significant difference in preoperative data between the two groups regarding to ASA scoring, age, gender, body mass index and laboratory tests ( P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the operative time in the experimental group was significantly shorter (341 min vs. 397 min, P<0.05), estimated blood loss was significantly reduced (110 mL vs. 180 mL, P<0.05). The conversive rate, transfusion rate, length of postoperative hospital stay, number of harvested lymph nodes, post pancreatectomy hemorrhage, bile leakage, pancreatic fistula (Grade B+C), reoperation, the occurrence of severe postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo Ⅲ-Ⅳ), and postoperative 90 d mortality were no statistically difference. CONCLUSION: With Two Chief Surgeons Model combined with anticlockwise operative process could optimize operative procedure in total LPD. It is safe and feasible, and could shorten the operation time and reduce intraoperative blood loss.

[Two Cases of Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy in the Sophisticated and Complicated Situations (with Video)].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the individualized surgical strategies and surgical methods which can greatly improve the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy in difficult and complicated situations, such as pancreatic head malignant tumors invade the major vascular and chronic pancreatitis with severe abdominal adhesions. METHODS: Case 1：A 65-year-old man with jaundice was diagnosed preoperatively with a pancreatic acinus process with superior mesenteric vein (SMV) invasion. In order to ensure R0 resection, the patient underwent laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy combined with SMV resection and reconstruction, taking the way of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA)-first approach. The length of SMV removed was 2 cm (see the Video 1 in Supplemental Contents, http://ykxb.scu.edu.cn/article/doi/10.12182/20200760501). The portal vein (PV)-SMV occlusion time was 26 min, the reconstruction time was 17 min. The duration of the surgery was 340 min, with 200 mL of blood loss and no transfusion. Case 2: A 47-year-old man with abdominal pain was admitted with preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic head mass with obstructive jaundice. His past medical history included small bowel resection and bowel anastomosis for abdominal trauma, open Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy for acute pancreatitis and obstructive jaundice. In the operation, we used ultracision harmonic scalpel, hook electrode, laparoscopic scissors, and other means to separate the adhesion of different parts of the abdominal, adjusted traditional modular surgical procedure for laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy with Easy First strategy to perform surgical resection (see the Video 2 in Supplemental Contents, http://ykxb.scu.edu.cn/article/doi/10.12182/20200760501). Emergencies such as mass bleeding，used Two Chief Surgeons Model to control bleeding and suture the bleeding site. The duration of the surgery was 400 min, with 500 mL of blood loss and no transfusion. RESULTS: Case 1: The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, with a hospital stay of 9 d. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of a 3.6 cm×2.4 cm×1.8 cm pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tumor (R0 and lymph nodes 1/26, AJCC 8th T 2N 1M 0, stage ⅡA). The removed SMV layer was invased and the cut edges were negative. The patient underwent 6 cycles of GS (gemcitabine+tegio) chemotherapy. The patient was asymptomatic 1 year later, with no tumor recurrence and no pancreatic insufficiency. Case 2: The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, with a hospital stay of 11 d. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of a 6 cm pancreatic inflammatory mass. The patient was asymptomatic 20 months later, with no recurrence of acute pancreatitis again. CONCLUSION: With different surgical methods and individualized surgical strategies, laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy in difficult and complicated situations is safe and feasible in the experienced pancreas minimally invasive center.

[Application of Early Splenic Artery Occlusion in Laparoscopic Spleen-preserving Distal Pancreatectomy using Kimura Technique].

OBJECTIVE: To present our institutional experience in laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (Lap-SPDP) using Kimura technique with or without early occlusion of the root of the splenic artery. In addition, to explore the safety and feasibility of this occlusion technique, especially its advantages in intraoperative hemorrhage control and spleen preservation. METHODS: From February 2011 to May 2019, 54 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as benign or low-grade malignant space-occupying lesions at the body and the tail of pancreas underwent Lap-SPDP using Kimura technique in our institution. Twenty-five patients before 2015 were allocated into non-occlusion group and 29 patients after 2015 were allocated into occlusion group. The non-occlusion group underwent direct dissection of the distal pancreas with blood supply from the splenic artery as well as traditional traction of the splenic artery without occlusion. Whereas the occlusion group underwent temporary occlusion of the root of the splenic artery by Bulldog clip after transecting the neck of the pancreas and distal pancreas was excised under a relatively bloodless situation. Surgical techniques were described in detail. Data between groups were retrospectively collected and stratification analysis was performed based on the diameter of tumor (>3 cm or ≤3 cm). RESULTS: Before stratification, there was a statistical difference in age between the two groups ( P=0.033), but no difference in body mass index (BMI) ( P=0.069). The median lesion diameter of the two groups was 2.5 cm and 4 cm, respectively, with no statistical difference ( P=0.065). The success rates of spleen preservation in the two groups were 93.1% and 92% respectively, showing no significant difference ( P=1.000). The length of hospital stay was slightly longer in the non-occlusion group than that in the occlusion group ( P=0.020). Comparing with the non-occlusion group, the occlusion group had significantly shorter operation time (median, 165 min vs. 235 min) and less estimated blood loss (median, 100 mL vs. 200 mL) ( P<0.05). After stratification by the tumor diameter, there were 2 cases of failed spleen preservation both in occlusion and non-occlusion group with tumor diameter >3 cm (occlusion group: 2/8, 25% and non-occlusion group: 2/14,14.3%). However there was no statistical difference between the two groups ( P=0.602). When the tumor diameter ≤3 cm, the spleen preservation rate of both groups reached 100%. When the tumor diameter was >3 cm, the operation time of the occlusion group was shorter than that of the non-occlusion group ( P=0.005). In terms of intraoperative blood loss, regardless of tumor size, the occlusion group had less estimated blood loss than that of the non-occlusion group ( P<0.05). In the occlusion group, no conversion or blood transfusion was needed intraoperatively and/or postoperatively. After stratification, there was no difference in the length of hospital stay between two groups ( P>0.05). During the follow-up period (median (Min-Max), 13.5 (3-96) months), no perioperative death, disease recurrence, portal vein or splenic vein thrombosis, gastric varices or upper gastrointestinal bleeding was noted. CONCLUSION: Lap-SPDP using Kimura technique with early occlusion of the root of splenic artery was safe and feasible and could be generally applied. By using this technique, we could reduce the operation time and blood loss, as well as sustain a high probability of spleen preservation.

[Predictive Value of POSSUM and P-POSSUM Scoring System for Risk Assessment in Laparoscopic Pancreatoduodenectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical predictive ability of POSSUM and P-POSSUM scoring system in laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy (LPD). METHODS: There were 132 consecutive LPD performed in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from February 2014 to July 2017. The clinical data were retrospective collected, including 12 preoperative physiological variables, 6 operative severity variables, and complications and mortality The postoperative expected mortality and morbidity were calculated by POSSUM and P-POSSUM score, and compared with measured morbidity and mortality. The clinical predictive ability of POSSUM and P-POSSUM system was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and hierarchical analysis. RESULTS: The area under ROC curve ( AUC) was 0.83. The preoperative physiological score (PS) and POSSUM score of the patients with complications were higher, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). For the prediction of complications after LPD, the expected value was the most accurate to the measured value when POSSUM score was >0.4-0.6. POSSUM scoring system had no significant difference in predicting the incidence of complications for benign and malignant lesions ( P>0.05), with a higher predictive value for malignant tumors. It was valuable in predicting the incidence of complications in male and female, and there was no significant difference in expected value between the sexes. Expected morbidity rate by POSSUM scoring system was 36.6% and measured morbidity rate was 33.3%. The expected and measured morbidities had no significantly differences. The expected mortality was 7.0% and measured mortality rate was 1.5%. The expected and measured mortality had no significantly differences. Expected mortality by P-POSSUM system was 1.6%, the expected and measured mortality had no significantly differences. CONCLUSION: POSSUM and P-POSSUM scoring system had high value for predicting LPD postoperative morbidity and mortality of LPD patients.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy for annular pancreas in adults: case report and literature review.

Annular pancreas is in adults is a rare congenital anomaly which incidence varied from 0.005% to 0.015%. Although 33% of the cases are symptomatic, the symptoms are most commonly associated with gastric outlet obstruction. Here we presented an adult diagnosed with annular pancreas treated by laparoscopic Roux-en-Y side to side duodenojejunostomy.

Comparison of Laparoscopic and Open Pancreaticoduodenectomy for the Treatment of Nonpancreatic Periampullary Adenocarcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD), a surgical option for nonpancreatic periampullary adenocarcinoma (NPPA), is a complex procedure that has become increasing popular. However, there is no consensus as to whether this technique should be performed routinely. Our aim was to evaluate the outcomes of LPD compared with open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2010 to September 2015, 58 LPDs were performed to treat NPPA and were compared with 58 OPDs, which can theoretically be carried out by laparoscopic approach. Patients were also matched based on their demographic data and pathologic diagnosis. Demographic information, intraoperative and postoperative data, pathologic data, and follow-up evaluation data were collected at our center. RESULTS: All patients had a median follow-up of 34 months (range, 8 to 60 mo). Overall median survival during the study between the groups was not different (P=0.760). No significant differences between the 2 groups were found in terms of patient demographics, short-term complications, pathologic outcomes, or tumor-node-metastasis stage. With regard to operative time, the LPD group was slightly longer than the OPD group (P<0.001). There were significant differences between groups in the time to the first passage of flatus and the time to oral intake (P<0.001). However, no differences were seen in blood loss, length of intensive care unit stay, node positive, or R0 resection between the laparoscopic and open groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that LPD is a feasible, safe, and effective method for the treatment of NPPA compared with OPD and may be a preferred method for surgeons to choose.

Laparoscopic splenectomy for splenic littoral cell angioma.

AIM: To establish the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) for littoral cell angioma (LCA). METHODS: From September 2003 to November 2013, 27 patients were diagnosed with LCA in our institution. These patients were divided into two groups based on operative procedure: LS (13 cases, Group 1) and open splenectomy (14 cases, Group 2). Data were collected retrospectively by chart review. Comparisons were performed between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics (sex and age); operative outcomes (operative time, estimated blood loss, transfusion, and conversion); postoperative details (length of postoperative stay and complications); and follow-up outcome. RESULTS: LS was successfully carried out in all patients except one in Group 1, who required conversion to hand-assisted LS because of perisplenic adhesions. The average operative time for patients in Group 1 was significantly shorter than that in Group 2 (127 ± 34 min vs 177 ± 25 min, P = 0.001). The average estimated blood loss in Group 1 was significantly lower than in Group 2 (62 ± 48 mL vs 138 ± 64 mL, P < 0.01). No patient in Group 1 required a blood transfusion, whereas one in Group 2 required a transfusion. Two patients in Group 1 and four in Group 2 suffered from postoperative complications. All the complications were cured by conservative therapy. There were no deaths in our series. All patients were followed up and no recurrence or abdominal metastasis were found. CONCLUSION: LS for patients with LCA is safe and feasible, with preferable operative outcomes and long-term tumor-free survival.

Biliary tract intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm: report of 19 cases.

AIM: To gain a better understanding of biliary tract intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (BT-IPMN). METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2013, 19 cases of BT-IPMN were retrospectively identified from a total of 343 biliary tract tumors resected in our single institution. Demographic characteristics, clinical data, pathology, surgical strategies, and long-term follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the 19 BT-IPMN cases was 53.8 years (range: 25-74 years). The most common symptom was abdominal pain (15/19; 78.9%), followed by jaundice (7/19; 36.8%). Cholangitis was associated with most (16/19; 84.2%) of the BT-IPMN cases. Macroscopically visible mucin was detected in all 19 patients, based on original surgical reports. The most common abnormal preoperative imaging findings for BT-IPMN were bile duct dilation (19/19; 100%) and intraluminal masses (10/19; 52.6%). Thirteen (68.4%) cases involved the intrahepatic bile duct and hilum. We performed left hepatectomy in 11/19 (57.9%), right hepatectomy in 2/19 (10.5%), bile duct resection in 4/19 (21.1%), and pancreatoduodenectomy in 1/19 (5.3%) patients. One (5.3%) patient was biopsied and received a choledochojejunostomy because of multiple tumors involving the right extrahepatic and left intrahepatic bile ducts. Histology showed malignancy in 10/19 (52.6%) patients. The overall median survival was 68 mo. The benign cases showed a non-significant trend towards improved survival compared to malignant cases (68 mo vs 48 mo, P = 0.347). The patient without tumor resection died of liver failure 22 mo after palliative surgery. CONCLUSION: BT-IPMN is a rare biliary entity. Complete resection of the tumor is associated with good survival, even in patients with malignant disease.

Undifferentiated (spindle cell) pancreatic carcinoma: a case report with osteochondroid differentiation.

CONTEXT: Undifferentiated (spindle cell) carcinomas of the pancreas are rare anaplastic variants of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with a frequency of 2% of pancreatic exocrine tumors. Their clinicopathological features are limited and obtained by few previously case reports. We report a case of undifferentiated pancreatic carcinoma with a rare focal osteochondroid differentiation. CASE REPORT: A sixty-six-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for abdominal pain and nonspecific nausea for almost 40 days. Imaging studies revealed a well-defined cystic-solid mass with heterogeneous density involving the tail of the pancreas. We performed an en bloc distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy for radical excision, as well as regional lymphadenectomy. The resected specimen revealed a 4.0×5.0 cm exophytic clear-bordered neoplasm of the tail of the pancreas containing necrotic and calcified areas, without splenic invasion. The lymph node involvement was not detected (0/5) and the surgical margins were negative. Microscopy showed pleomorphism with giant cells, spindle-shaped cells with anaplasia, and osteochondroid differentiation. A diagnosis of undifferentiated (spindle cell) carcinoma of the pancreas with focal osteochondroid differentiation was made. The patient declined chemotherapy and extended lymphadenectomy. She suffered from liver and lymph nodes metastasis 9 months after surgery, and she subsequently died 4 months later due to high tumor burden. CONCLUSIONS: Undifferentiated pancreatic carcinoma with osteochondroid differentiation is rare but associated with extremely poor prognosis. It should be included in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic mass lesions.

Emergency laparoscopic partial splenectomy for ruptured spleen: a case report.

Splenic rupture is a common consequence of blunt abdominal trauma. Emergency splenectomy is indicated when conservative management is not effective. With better understanding of the immunologic function of the spleen, surgeons have begun to perform the splenic-preserving surgery. However, it is technical challenge to perform emergency laparoscopic partial splenectomy for patient with spleen rupture. A 15-year-old male patient suffered from grade III spleen injury basing on the American association for the surgery of trauma splenic injury scale. Conservative treatment failed to success basing on the dramatically decreased hemoglobin level. During the laparoscopic exploration, we found that two individual ruptures were associated with the upper pole of spleen. An emergency laparoscopic partial splenectomy was successfully carried out. The operative time was approximate 150 min and the estimated blood loss was 200 mL. The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 7(th) post-operative day.

Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas in male patients: report of 16 cases.

AIM: To investigate the clinical characteristics, surgical strategies and prognosis of solid pseudopapillary tumors (SPTs) of the pancreas in male patients. METHODS: From July 2003 to March 2013, 116 patients were diagnosed with SPT of the pancreas in our institution. Of these patients, 16 were male. The patients were divided into two groups based on gender: female (group 1) and male (group 2). The groups were compared with regard to demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, surgical strategies, complications and follow-up outcomes. RESULTS: Male patients were older than female patients (43.1 ± 12.3 years vs 33.1 ± 11.5 years, P = 0.04). Tumor size, location, and symptoms were comparable between the two groups. All patients, with the exception of one, underwent complete surgical resection. The patients were regularly followed up. The mean follow-up period was 58 mo. Two female patients (1.7%) developed tumor recurrence or metastases and required a second resection, and two female patients (1.7%) died during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Male patients with SPT of the pancreas are older than female patients. There are no significant differences between male and female patients regarding surgical strategies and prognosis.

The learning curve for laparoscopic splenectomy for massive splenomegaly: a single surgeon's experience.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) for massive splenomegaly is more technically challenging than for a normal-sized spleen. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of operative experience on perioperative outcomes of LS for massive splenomegaly. METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2010, 36 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with massive splenomegaly underwent LS in our department. The perioperative outcomes were evaluated for evidence of a learning curve effect. Patients were divided into three groups (1, 2, and 3) of 12 consecutive patients, and outcomes of each group were compared. RESULTS: The mean operative time decreased significantly from 252 minutes of Group 1 to 179 minutes of Group 3. The estimated blood loss and length of post-operative hospital stay showed a similar trend. No significant differences were found in the splenic length and weight, transfusion rate, or average amount of drainage. In this cohort, there were three cases with surgical complications and one conversion to open laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: The first 24 cases constitute the early stage of the learning curve for LS for massive splenomegaly. LS for massive splenomegaly is a technically challenging operation with a long learning curve, and strategies for developing training programs must address these challenges.

Laparoscopic splenectomy is an effective and safe intervention for hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic splenectomy has become the standard procedure for the normal to moderately enlarged spleens. We performed this study to investigate the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of laparoscopic splenectomy for hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 24 cases of laparoscopic splenectomy (group 1), 24 cases of open splenectomy (group 2) for hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis, and 68 cases of laparoscopic splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura (group 3). We performed comparisons between groups 1 and 2 and groups 1 and 3 in terms of demographic, intraoperative, postoperative variables, and changes in blood counts and liver function. RESULTS: Patients in groups 1 and 2 had comparable demographic characteristics, but those in group 1 had less estimated blood loss, fewer complications, and shorter duration of oral intake, and they required less analgesia and shorter post-hospital stays. In both groups, leukocyte and platelet counts increased significantly and transaminase and total bilirubin decreased postoperatively, but not significantly, and there was no significant difference between the two groups. Compared with group 3, patients in group 1 were older, had lower preoperative hemoglobin levels and leukocyte counts, poorer Child-Pugh class, required more operation time, and suffered more estimated blood loss; however, there were no statistically significant differences in terms of conversion rates, transfusion rates, complication rates, and postoperative course. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic splenectomy is a safe, feasible, and effective procedure for hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis.