Evolving knowledge in surgical oncology of pancreatic cancer: from theory to clinical practice-a fifteen-year journey at a tertiary referral centre.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an increasing disease having a poor prognosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different models of care for pancreatic cancer in a tertiary referral centre in the period 2006-2020. Retrospective study of patients with PDAC observed from January 2006 to December 2020. The demographic and clinical data, and data regarding the imaging techniques used, preoperative staging, management, survival and multidisciplinary tumour board (MDTB) evaluation were collected and compared in three different periods characterised by different organisation of pancreatic cancer services: period A (2006-2010); period B (2011-2015) and period C (2016-2020). One thousand four hundred seven patients were analysed: 441(31.3%) in period A; 413 (29.4%) in B and 553 (39.3%) in C. The proportion of patients increased significantly, from 31.3% to 39.3% (P = 0.032). Body mass index (P = 0.033), comorbidity rate (P = 0.002) and Karnofsky performance status (P < 0.001) showed significant differences. Computed tomography scans (P < 0.001), endoscopic ultrasound (P < 0.001), fine needle aspiration, fine needle biopsy (P < 0.001), and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (P < 0.001) increased; contrast-enhanced ultrasound (P = 0.028) decreased. The cTNM was significantly different (P < 0.001). The MDTB evaluation increased significantly (P < 0.001). Up-front surgery and exploratory laparotomy decreased (P < 0.001), neoadjuvant treatment increased (P < 0.001). The present study showed the evolving knowledge in surgical oncology of pancreatic cancer at a tertiary referral centre over the time. The different models of care of pancreatic cancer, in particular the introduction of the MDTB and the institution of a pancreas unit to the decision-making process seemed to be influential.

Converted laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: is there an impact on patient outcome and total cost?

PURPOSE: Recent studies have reported worse outcomes of converted laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (CLDP) with respect to total laparoscopic (TLDP) and open (ODP). The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of conversion on patient outcome and on total cost. METHODS: Patients requiring a conversion (CLDP) were compared with both TLDP and ODP patients. The relevant patient- and tumour-related variables were collected for each patient. Both intra and postoperative data were extracted. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was carried out to equate the groups compared. RESULTS: Two hundred and five patients underwent DP, 105 (51.2%) ODPs, 81 (39.5%) TLDPs, and 19 (9.3%) CLDPs. After PSM, 19 CLDPs, 38 TLDPs, and 38 ODPs were compared. Patients who underwent CLDP showed a significantly longer operative time (P < 0.001), and an increase in blood loss (P = 0.032) and total cost (P = 0.034) with respect to TLDP, and a significantly longer operative time (P < 0.001), less frequent postoperative morbidity (P = 0.050), and a higher readmission rate (P = 0.035) with respect to ODP. CONCLUSION: Total laparoscopic pancreatectomy was superior regarding operative findings and total costs with respect to CLDP; ODP showed a higher postoperative morbidity rate and a lower readmission rate with respect to CLDP. However, the reasons for the readmission of patients who underwent CLDP were mainly related to postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) grade B which is usually due to pancreas texture. Thus, the majority of distal pancreatectomies can be started using a minimally invasive approach, performing an early conversion if necessary.

Minimally invasive adrenalectomy: a comprehensive systematic review and network meta-analysis of phase II/III randomized clinical controlled trials.

PURPOSE: The best approach for minimally invasive adrenalectomy is still under debate. METHODS: A systematic search of randomized clinical trials was carried out. A frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis was made reporting the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA). The primary endpoint regarded both in-hospital mortality and morbidity. The secondary endpoints were operative time (OP), blood loss (BL), length of stay (LOS), conversion, incisional hernia, and disease recurrence rate. RESULTS: Eight studies were included, involving 359 patients clustered as follows: 175 (48.7%) in the TPLA arm; 55 (15.3%) in the RPLA arm; 10 (2.8%) in the Ro-TPLA arm; 25 (7%) in the TPAA arm; 20 (5.6%) in the SILS-LA arm; and 74 (20.6%) in the RPA arm. The RPLA had the highest probability of being the safest approach (SUCRA 69.6%), followed by RPA (SUCRA 63.0%). TPAA, Ro-TPLA, SILS-LA, and TPLA have similar probability of being safe (SUCRA values 45.2%, 43.4%, 43.0%, and 38.5%, respectively). Analysis of the secondary endpoints confirmed the superiority of RPA regarding OP, BL, LOS, and incisional hernia rate. CONCLUSIONS: The best choice for patients with adrenal masses candidate for minimally invasive surgery seems to be RPA. An alternative could be RPLA. The remaining approaches could have some specific advantages but do not represent the first minimally invasive choice.

Preoperative carbohydrate loading before elective abdominal surgery: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of phase II/III randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The preoperative use of carbohydrate loading (CHO) is recommended in patients undergoing abdominal surgery, even if the advantages remain debatable. The aim was to evaluate the CHO benefits in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. METHODS: A systematic search of randomized clinical trials was made. A frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis was carried out, reporting the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA). The primary endpoint regarded the morbidity rate. The secondary endpoints were aspiration/regurgitation rates, the length of stay (LOS), the rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), the changes (Δ) in insulin sensitivity or resistance, and the postoperative C- reactive protein (CRP) values. RESULTS: CHO loading and water administration had a similar probability of being the approach with a lower morbidity rate (SUCRA = 62.4% and 64.7%). CHO and clear water also had a similar chance of avoiding the PONV (SUCRA of 80.8% and 77%). The aspiration regurgitation rate was not relevant in non-fasting patients (0.06%). CHO administration was associated with the shorter hospitalization (SUCRA 86.9%), with the best metabolic profile (SUCRA values for insulin resistance and sensitivity were 81.1% and 76%). CHO enriched was the best approach for postoperative CRP values. Preoperative fasting was the worst approach for morbidity, PONV, insulin resistance and sensitivity, and CRP (SUCRA values of 32.1%, 21.7%, 10.2%, 3.2%, and 2.0%). CONCLUSION: Both preoperative CHO loading and clear water use were superior to the fasting about morbidity. CHO drinks use could provide specific advantages, reduce the PONV rate, and improve carbohydrate homeostasis, inflammatory pathway, and hospitalization.

Development and validation of a preoperative "difficulty score" for laparoscopic transabdominal adrenalectomy: a multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: A difficulty score for laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is lacking in the literature. A retrospective cohort study was designed to develop a preoperative "difficulty score" for LA. METHODS: A multicenter study was conducted involving four Italian tertiary centers for adrenal disease. The population was randomly divided into two subsets: training group and validation one. A multicenter study was undertaken, including 964 patients. Patient, adrenal lesion, surgeon's characteristics, and the type of procedure were studied as potential predictors of target events. The operative time (pOT), conversion rate (cLA), or both were used as indicators of the difficulty in three multivariate models. All models were developed in a training cohort (70% of the sample) and validated using 30% of patients. For all models, the ability to predict complicated postoperative course was reported describing the area under the curve (AUCs). Logistic regression, reporting odds ratio (OR) with p-value, was used. RESULTS: In model A, gender (OR 2.04, p = 0.001), BMI (OR 1.07, p = 0.002), previous surgery (OR 1.29, p = 0.048), site (OR 21.8, p < 0.001) and size of the lesion (OR 1.16, p = 0.002), cumulative sum of procedures (OR 0.99, p < 0.001), extended (OR 26.72, p < 0.001) or associated procedures (OR 4.32, p = 0.015) increased the pOT. In model B, ASA (OR 2.86, p = 0.001), lesion size (OR 1.20, p = 0.005), and extended resection (OR 8.85, p = 0.007) increased the cLA risk. Model C had similar results to model A. All scores obtained predicted the target events in validation cohort (OR 1.99, p < 0.001; OR 1.37, p = 0.007; OR 1.70, p < 0.001, score A, B, and C, respectively). The AUCs in predicting complications were 0.740, 0.686, and 0.763 for model A, B, and C, respectively. CONCLUSION: A difficulty score based on both pOT and cLA (Model C) was developed using 70% of the sample. The score was validated using a second cohort. Finally, the score was tested, and its results are able to predict a complicated postoperative course.

Prophylactic cholecystectomy is not mandatory in patients candidate to the resection for small intestine neuroendocrine neoplasms: a propensity score-matched and cost-minimization analysis.

To evaluate two competitive strategies in patients undergoing resection of Small-intestine neuroendocrine neoplasms (Si-NEN): prophylactic cholecystectomy (PC) versus On-demand delayed (OC) cholecystectomy. None comparative studies are available. This is a retrospective study based on 247 Si-NENs candidates for the primary tumor resection. Patients were divided into two arms: PC and OC. Propensity score matching was performed, reporting the d value. The primary outcome was the rehospitalization rate for any cause. The secondary endpoints were: the rehospitalization rate for biliary stone disease (BSD), the mean number of rehospitalization (any cause and BSD), the complication rate (all and severe). A P value < 0.05 was considered significant, and the number needed to treat (NNT) < 10 was considered clinically relevant. Before matching, 52 (21.1%) were in the PC arm and 195 (78.9%) in the OC group. The two arms have a sub-optimal balance for age (d = 0.575), symptoms (d = 0.661), ENETS TNM stage (d = 0.661). After matching, we included 52 patients in PC and 104 in OC one. The two groups are well balanced (all d values < 0.5). The rehospitalization rate was similar in the two groups (36% vs 31; P = 0.594; NNT = 21). The rehospitalization rate for BSD was lower in the PC arm than OC one (0% vs 7%) without statistical significance (P = 0.096) and relevance (NNT = 15). The mean number of readmission (any cause and BSD) and the complication rate (all and severe) were similar. PC was not mandatory in patients having Si-NEN and candidates to the resection of primary tumors.

Contemporary indications for upfront total pancreatectomy.

Currently, advances in surgical techniques, improvements in perioperative care, new formulations of intermediate and long-acting insulin and of modern pancreatic enzyme preparations have allowed obtaining good short and long-term results and quality of life, especially in high-volume centres in performing total pancreatectomy (TP).Thus, the surgeon's fear in performing TP is not justified and total pancreatectomy can be considered a viable option in selected patients in high-volume centres. The aim of this review was to define the current indications for this procedure, in particular for upfront TP, considering not only the pancreatic disease, but also the surgical approach (open, mini-invasive) and the relationship with vascular resection.

Neoadjuvant Therapy for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: A New Standard of Care. Pooled Data From 3 Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to pool data from randomized controlled trials (RCT) limited to resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) to determine whether a neoadjuvant therapy impacts on disease-free survival (DFS) and surgical outcome. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Few underpowered studies have suggested benefits from neoadjuvant chemo (± radiation) for strictly resectable PDAC without offering conclusive recommendations. METHODS: Three RCTs were identified comparing neoadjuvant chemo (± radio) therapy vs. upfront surgery followed by adjuvant therapy in all cases. Data were pooled targeting DFS as primary endpoint, whereas overall survival (OS), postoperative morbidity, and mortality were investigated as secondary endpoints. Survival endpoints DFS and OS were compared using Cox proportional hazards regression with study-specific baseline hazards. RESULTS: A total of 130 patients were randomized (56 in the neoadjuvant and 74 in the control group). DFS was significantly longer in the neoadjuvant treatment group compared to surgery only [hazard ratio (HR) 0.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4-0.9] (P = 0.01). Furthermore, DFS for the subgroup of R0 resections was similarly longer in the neoadjuvant treated group (HR 0.6, 95% CI 0.35-0.9, P = 0.045). Although postoperative complications (Comprehensive Complication Index, CCI®) occurred less frequently (P = 0.008), patients after neoadjuvant therapy experienced a higher toxicity, but without negative impact on oncological or surgical outcome parameters. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant therapy can be offered as an acceptable standard of care for patients with purely resectable PDAC. Future research with the advances of precision oncology should now focus on the definition of the optimal regimen.

Perioperative Management of Pheochromocytoma: From a Dogmatic to a Tailored Approach.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative management of pheochromocytoma (PCC) remains under debate. METHODS: A bicentric retrospective study was conducted, including all patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy for PCC from 2000 to 2017. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 treated with alpha-blockade, and Group 2, without alfa-blockers. The primary end point was the major complication rate. The secondary end points were: the need for advanced intra-operative hemostasis, the admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), the length of stay (LOS), systolic (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Univariate and multivariate analysis was conducted. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Major postoperative complications were similar (p = 0.49). Advanced hemostatic agents were 44.9% in Group 1 and 100% in Group 2 (p < 0.001). In Group 2, no patients were admitted to the ICU, while only 73.5% of Group 1 (p < 0.001) were admitted. The median length of stay was larger in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p = 0.026). At the induction, SBP was 130 mmHg in Group 1, and 115 mmHg (p < 0.001). The pre-surgery treatment was the only almost statistically significant variable at the multivariate analysis of DBP at the end of surgery. CONCLUSION: The preoperative use of alfa-blockers should be considered not a dogma in PCC.

The Italian Consensus on minimally invasive simultaneous resections for synchronous liver metastasis and primary colorectal cancer: A Delphi methodology.

At the time of diagnosis synchronous colorectal cancer, liver metastases (SCRLM) account for 15-25% of patients. If primary tumour and synchronous liver metastases are resectable, good results may be achieved performing surgical treatment incorporated into the chemotherapy regimen. So far, the possibility of simultaneous minimally invasive (MI) surgery for SCRLM has not been extensively investigated. The Italian surgical community has captured the need and undertaken the effort to establish a National Consensus on this topic. Four main areas of interest have been analysed: patients' selection, procedures, techniques, and implementations. To establish consensus, an adapted Delphi method was used through as many reiterative rounds were needed. Systematic literature reviews were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses instructions. The Consensus took place between February 2019 and July 2020. Twenty-six Italian centres participated. Eighteen clinically relevant items were identified. After a total of three Delphi rounds, 30-tree recommendations reached expert consensus establishing the herein presented guidelines. The Italian Consensus on MI surgery for SCRLM indicates possible pathways to optimise the treatment for these patients as consensus papers express a trend that is likely to become shortly a standard procedure for clinical pictures still on debate. As matter of fact, no RCT or relevant case series on simultaneous treatment of SCRLM are available in the literature to suggest guidelines. It remains to be investigated whether the MI technique for the simultaneous treatment of SCRLM maintain the already documented benefit of the two separate surgeries.

Laparoscopic versus open distal pancreatectomy: a single centre propensity score matching analysis.

The laparoscopic approach is considered as standard practice in patients with body-tail pancreatic neoplasms. However, only a few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and propensity score matching (PSM) studies have been performed. Thus, additional studies are needed to obtain more robust evidence. This is a single-centre propensity score-matched study including patients who underwent laparoscopic (LDP) and open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) with splenectomy for pancreatic neoplasms. Demographic, intra, postoperative and oncological data were collected. The primary endpoint was the length of hospital stay. The secondary endpoints included the assessment of the operative findings, postoperative outcomes, oncological outcomes (only in the subset of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma-PDAC) and total costs. In total, 205 patients were analysed: 105 (51.2%) undergoing an open approach and 100 (48.8%) a laparoscopic approach. After PSM, two well-balanced groups of 75 patients were analysed and showed a shorter length of hospital stay (P = 0.001), a lower blood loss (P = 0.032), a reduced rate of postoperative morbidity (P < 0.001) and decreased total costs (P = 0.050) after LDP with respect to ODP. Regarding the subset of patients with PDAC, 22 patients were analysed: they showed a significant shorter length of hospital stay (P = 0.050) and a reduction in postoperative morbidity (P < 0.001) after LDP with respect to ODP. Oncological outcomes were similar. LDP showed lower hospital stay and postoperative morbidity rate than ODP both in the entire population and in patients affected by PDAC. Total costs were reduced only in the entire population. Oncological outcomes were comparable in PDAC patients.

Blumgart Anastomosis After Pancreaticoduodenectomy. A Comprehensive Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression.

BACKGROUND: The superiority of Blumgart anastomosis (BA) over non-BA duct to mucosa (non-BA DtoM) still remains under debate. METHODS: We performed a systematic search of studies comparing BA to non-BA DtoM. The primary endpoint was CR-POPF. Postoperative morbidity and mortality, post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH), delayed gastric emptying (DGE), reoperation rate, and length of stay (LOS) were evaluated as secondary endpoints. The meta-analysis was carried out using random effect. The results were reported as odds ratio (OR), risk difference (RD), weighted mean difference (WMD), and number needed to treat (NNT). RESULTS: Twelve papers involving 2368 patients: 1075 BA and 1193 non-BA DtoM were included. Regarding the primary endpoint, BA was superior to non-BA DtoM (RD = 0.10; 95% CI: -0.16 to -0.04; NNT = 9). The multivariate ORs' meta-analysis confirmed BA's protective role (OR 0.26; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.79). BA was superior to DtoM regarding overall morbidity (RD = -0.10; 95% CI: -0.18 to -0.02; NNT = 25), PPH (RD = -0.03; 95% CI -0.06 to -0.01; NNT = 33), and LOS (- 4.2 days; -7.1 to -1.2 95% CI). CONCLUSION: BA seems to be superior to non-BA DtoM in avoiding CR-POPF.

External validation of nomogram for predicting malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN): from the theory to the clinical practice using the decision curve analysis model.

The management of IPMNs is a challenging and controversial issue because the risk of malignancy is difficult to predict. The present study aimed to assess the clinical usefulness of two preoperative nomograms for predicting malignancy of IPMNs allowing their proper management. Retrospective study of patients affected by IPMNs. Two nomograms, regarding main (MD) and branch duct (BD) IPMN, respectively, were evaluated. Only patients who underwent pancreatic resection were collected to test the nomograms because a pathological diagnosis was available. The analysis included: 1-logistic regression analysis to calibrate the nomograms; 2-decision curve analysis (DCA) to test the nomograms concerning their clinical usefulness. 98 patients underwent pancreatic resection. The logistic regression showed that, increasing the score of both the MD-IPMN and BD-IPMN nomograms, significantly increases the probability of IPMN high grade or invasive carcinoma (P = 0.029 and P = 0.033, respectively). DCA of MD-IPMN nomogram showed that there were no net benefits with respect to surgical resection in all cases. DCA of BD-IPMN nomogram, showed a net benefit only for threshold probability between 40 and 60%. For these values, useless pancreatic resection should be avoided in 14.8%. The two nomograms allowed a reliable assessment of the malignancy rate. Their clinical usefulness is limited to BD-IPMN with threshold probability of malignancy of 40-60%, in which the patients can be selected better than the "treat all" strategy.

Treatment of Advanced Gastro-Entero-Pancreatic Neuro-Endocrine Tumors: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Phase III Randomized Controlled Trials.

Several new therapies have been approved to treat advanced gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) in the last twenty years. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing two or more therapies for unresectable GEP-NENs. Network metanalysis was used to overcome the multiarm problem. For each arm, we described the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) curves. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival and grade 3-4 of toxicity. We included nine studies involving a total of 2362 patients and 5 intervention arms: SSA alone, two IFN-α plus SSA, two Everolimus alone, one Everolimus plus SSA, one Sunitinib alone, one 177Lu-Dotatate plus SSA, and one Bevacizumab plus SSA. 177Lu-Dotatate plus SSA had the highest probability (99.6%) of being associated with the longest PFS. This approach was followed by Sunitinib use (64.5%), IFN-α plus SSA one (53.0%), SSA alone (46.6%), Bevacizumab plus SSA one (45.0%), and Everolimus ± SSA one (33.6%). The placebo administration had the lowest probability of being associated with the longest PFS (7.6%). Placebo or Bevacizumab use had the highest probability of being the safest (73.7% and 76.7%), followed by SSA alone (65.0%), IFN-α plus SSA (52.4%), 177Lu-Dotatate plus SSA (49.4%), and Sunitinib alone (28.8%). The Everolimus-based approach had the lowest probability of being the safest (3.9%). The best approaches were SSA alone or combined with 177Lu-Dotatate.

The learning curve for the second generation of laparoscopic surgeons: lesson learned from a large series of laparoscopic adrenalectomies.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has a well-demonstrated learning curve in the first generation of laparoscopic surgeons. Data about the second generation of laparoscopic surgeons are lacking. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, data from patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy from 2000 to 2019 in a high-volume center were collected and analyzed. The cumulative sum of procedures of each surgeon and the operating time were evaluated. A multivariate analysis with backward stepwise logistic regression was carried out to define which factors influenced the operative time. Three surgeons performed the analyzed procedures: a senior surgeon who began his laparoscopic activity without receiving specific training or supervision and two young surgeons, who performed their procedures under the guidance of the "senior" experienced surgeon. The first 38 procedures of the three surgeons were then compared. RESULTS: A total of 244 laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed. Age, clinical diagnosis, side of the lesion, body mass index, comorbidities, Charlson index, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score, and lower abdominal surgery were found to have no significant relationship with the operative time (p > 0.05). Gender, symptoms, previous upper abdominal surgery, size of the lesion, and cumulative sum of procedures were independent predictors of operative time. In the comparison between different surgeons, operative time resulted significantly longer for the senior (165 min; 140-180) than for the two junior surgeons (137.5 min; 115-160; p = 0.003 and 130 min; 120-170; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a mentor in operative theater and specific training programs could be useful during the learning period. The cumulative sum of procedures related to the operative time represents a good parameter to measure the acquired expertise of a surgeon.

Treatment for Infected Pancreatic Necrosis Should be Delayed, Possibly Avoiding an Open Surgical Approach: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate all invasive treatments for suspected IPN. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The optimal invasive treatment for suspected IPN remains unclear. METHODS: A systematic search of randomized clinical trials comparing at least 2 invasive strategies for the treatment of suspected IPN was carried out. A frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis was made reporting the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA). The primary endpoint regarded both the in-hospital mortality and major morbidity rates. The secondary endpoints were mortality, length of stay, intensive care unit stay, the pancreatic fistula rate, and exocrine and endocrine insufficiency. RESULTS: Seven studies were included, involving 400 patients clustered as following: 64 (16%) in early surgical debridement (ED); 27 (6.7%) in peritoneal lavage (PL); 45 (11.3%) in delayed surgical debridement (DD), 169 (42.3%) in the step-up approach with minimally invasive debridement (SUA-DD) and 95 (23.7%) with endoscopic debridement (SUA-EnD). The step-up approach with endoscopic debridement had the highest probability of being the safest approach (SUCRA 87.1%), followed by SUA-DD (SUCRA 59.5%); DD, ED, and PL had the lowest probability of being safe (SUCRA values 27.6%, 31.4%, and 44.4%, respectively). Analysis of the secondary endpoints confirmed the superiority of SUA-EnD regarding length of stay, intensive care unit stay, pancreatic fistula rate, and new-onset diabetes. The SUA approaches are similar regarding exocrine function. Mortality was reduced by any delayed approaches (DD, SUA-DD, or SUA-EnD). CONCLUSIONS: The first choice for suspected IPN seemed to be SUA-EnD. An alternative could be SUA-DD. PL, ED, and DD should be avoided.

Comparison of Blumgart Anastomosis with Duct-to-Mucosa Anastomosis and Invagination Pancreaticojejunostomy After Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Single-Center Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Blumgart anastomosis is a method of pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) which combines the principle of duct-to-mucosa anastomosis with an invagination technique of the pancreas. METHODS: Retrospective study involving consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer. Data predictive of pancreatic fistula and postoperative outcomes were collected. The patients were divided into three groups and were compared based on the type of pancreatic anastomosis performed: Blumgart anastomosis (BA), duct-to-mucosa anastomosis (DtoM), and invagination pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ). The primary endpoint was to determine the occurrence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF). The secondary endpoints were to determine whether postoperative pancreatic fistula grade C (POPF C) and/or severe complications occurred as well as to determine the reoperation rate and 30- and 90-day mortality. A propensity score matching analysis was used. RESULTS: Using propensity score matching (PSM), the occurrence of CR-POPF was not significantly different between the BA (21.6%) and the other pancreatic anastomoses (all 31.1%, DtoM = 27.0%; PJ = 35.1%). However, the BA significantly reduced (1) severe complications (0 versus 35.1%; P < 0.001) and 90-day mortality (0% versus 12.2%; P = 0.028) with respect to all anastomoses; (2) severe complications (0% versus 29.7%; P < 0.001), POPF grade C (0% versus 16.2%; P = 0.025), and reoperation (2.7% versus 16.2%; P = 0.056) with respect to DtoM; and (3) severe complications (0% versus 40.5%; P < 0.001) and 90-day mortality (0% versus 13.5%; P = 0.054) with respect to PJ. CONCLUSIONS: Applying the PSM analysis for the first time, the present study seemed to suggest that the BA succeeded in minimizing severe complications after PD.

The use of comprehensive complication Index® in pancreatic surgery: a comparison with the Clavien-Dindo system in a high volume center.

BACKGROUND: The Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC) system and Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI®) are both widely used methods for reporting the burden of postoperative complications. This study aimed to compare the accuracy of the CDC and CCI® in predicting outcomes associated with pancreatic surgery. METHODS: The CCI® and CDC were applied to 668 patients who underwent pancreatic resection. Length of postoperative stay (LOS) was chosen as the primary outcome variable. The comparison between CCI® and CDC was made with the Spearman test, reporting þs with standard error (SE) and logistic regression, reporting the Odds Ratio (OR) and Area Under the Curve with SE. RESULTS: The median value with the interquartile range (IQR) of CCI® was 20.9 (0-29.6). Both CCI® (þs = 0.609) and CDC (0.590) were significantly (P < 0.001) correlated to LOS. CCI (OR 1.056 and OR 1.052) and CDC (OR 1.978, and OR 1.994) predicted (P < 0.001) LOS over the median and 75th percentile. The accuracy of CCI® was superior to CDC for LOS over 50th (0.785 vs. 0.740; P = 0.004) and over 75th (0.835 vs. 0.761; P < 0.001) percentile. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of CCI® in measuring the complicated postoperative course was superior to CDC, correctly classifying eight patients every ten tested.

The 3-Dimensional-Computed Tomography Texture Is Useful to Predict Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Grading.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the computed tomography texture parameters in predicting grading. METHODS: This study analyzed 68 nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (Pan-NENs). Clinical and radiological parameters were studied. Four model models were built, including clinical and standard radiologic parameters (model 1), first- and second-order computed tomography features (models 2 and 3), all parameters (model 4). The diagnostic accuracy was reported as area under the curve. A score was computed using the best model and validated to predict progression-free survival. RESULTS: The size of tumors and heterogeneous enhancement were related to the risk of "non-G1" Pan-NENs (coefficients 0.471, P = 0.012, and 1.508, P = 0.027). Four second-order parameters were significantly related to the presence of "non-G1" Pan-NENs: the gray level co-occurrence matrix correlation (6.771; P = 0.011), gray level co-occurrence matrix contrast variance (0.349; P = 0.009), the neighborhood gray-level different matrix contrast (-63.129; P = 0.001), and the gray-level zone length matrix with the low gray-level zone emphasis (-0.151; P = 0.049). Model 4 was the best, with a higher area under the curve (0.912; P = 0.005). The score obtained predicted the progression-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography radiomics signature can be useful in preoperative workup.

The Usefulness of a Preoperative Nomogram for Predicting the Probability of Conversion from Laparoscopic to Open Distal Pancreatectomy: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) represents a challenging procedure with a high conversion rate. A nomogram is a simple statistical predictive tool which is superior to risk groups. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a preoperative nomogram for predicting the probability of conversion from laparoscopic to open distal pancreatectomy. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 100 consecutive patients who underwent LDP. For each patient demographic, pre-intra- and postoperative data were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify the factors significantly influencing the conversion rate. The effect of each factor was weighted using the beta coefficient (ß), and a nomogram was built. Finally, a logistic regression between the score and the conversion rate was carried out to calibrate the nomogram. RESULTS: The conversion rate was 19.0%. At multivariate analysis, female (ß = - 1.8 ± 0.9; P = 0.047) and tail location of the tumor (ß = - 2.1 ± 1.1; P = 0.050) were significantly related to a low probability of conversion. Body mass index (BMI) (ß = 0.2 ± 0.1; P = 0.011) and subtotal pancreatectomy (ß = 2.4 ± 0.9; P = 0.006) were factors independently related to a high probability of conversion. The nomogram constructed had a minimum value of 4 and a maximum value of 18 points. The probability of conversion increased significantly starting from a minimum score of 6 points (P = 0.029; conversion probability 14.4%; 95%CI, 1.5-27.3%) up to 16 (P = 0.048; 27.8%; 95%CI, 0.2-48.7%). CONCLUSION: The nomogram proposed could serve as an effective preoperative tool capable of assessing the probability of conversion, allowing to take reliable decisions regarding indications and adequate stepwise training program of LDP.