The Role of CT in Assessment of Extraregional Lymph Node Involvement in Pancreatic and Periampullary Cancer: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

Purpose: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of CT in assessing extraregional lymph node metastases in pancreatic head and periampullary cancer. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational cohort study was performed at two tertiary hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) referral centers between March 2013 and December 2014. Patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy or bypass surgery with or without palliative radiofrequency ablation were included. Extraregional lymph node involvement was defined as positive lymph nodes in the aortocaval window. Two expert HPB radiologists assessed aortocaval lymph nodes at preoperative CT according to a standardized protocol. All tissue from the aortocaval window was collected intraoperatively. Positive histopathologic finding was the reference standard. Analysis of predictive values and diagnostic accuracy was performed. Results: A total of 198 consecutive patients (mean age, 66 years; range, 39-86 years; 105 men) with pancreatic head or periampullary carcinoma were included. In 70% of patients, a pancreatoduodenectomy was performed, 4% underwent total pancreatectomy, 4% underwent radiofrequency ablation, and 22% underwent bypass surgery. Forty-four patients (22%) had histologically positive aortocaval lymph nodes. Negative predictive value of CT in assessing aortocaval lymph nodes was 80% for both observers, and positive predictive value was 31%-33%. Overall diagnostic accuracy was 69%-70%. Conclusion: CT has a low diagnostic accuracy in assessing extraregional lymph node metastases in patients suspected of having pancreatic or periampullary cancer.Keywords: CT, Abdomen/GI, Pancreas, Oncology© RSNA, 2021.

How to Approach Para-Aortic Lymph Node Metastases During Exploration for Suspected Periampullary Carcinoma: Resection or Bypass?

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative para-aortic lymph node (PALN) sampling during surgical exploration in patients with suspected pancreatic head cancer remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the value of routine PALN sampling and the consequences of different treatment strategies on overall patient survival. METHODS: A retrospective, multicenter cohort study was performed in patients who underwent surgical exploration for suspected pancreatic head cancer. In cohort A, the treatment strategy was to avoid pancreatoduodenectomy and to perform a double bypass procedure when PALN metastases were found during exploration. In cohort B, routinely harvested PALNs were not examined intraoperatively and pancreatoduodenectomy was performed regardless. PALNs were examined with the final resection specimen. Clinicopathological data, survival data and complication data were compared between study groups. RESULTS: Median overall survival for patients with PALN metastases who underwent a double bypass procedure was 7.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.5-8.5), versus 11 months (95% CI 8.8-13) in the pancreatoduodenectomy group (p = 0.049). Patients with PALN metastases who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy had significantly increased postoperative morbidity compared with patients who underwent a double bypass procedure (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, severe comorbidity (ASA grade 2 or higher) was an independent predictor for decreased survival in patients with PALN involvement (hazard ratio 3.607, 95% CI 1.678-7.751; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with PALN metastases, pancreatoduodenectomy was associated with significant survival benefit compared with a double bypass procedure, but with increased risk of complications. It is important to weigh the advantages of resection versus bypass against factors such as comorbidities and clinical performance when positive intraoperative PALNs are found.

Long-term health-related quality of life after pancreatic resection for malignancy in patients with and without severe postoperative complications.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for pancreatic cancer yields significant morbidity and mortality risks and survival is limited. Therefore, the influence of complications on quality of life (QoL) after pancreatic surgery is important. This study compares QoL in patients with and without severe complications after surgery for pancreatic (pre-)malignancy. METHODS: This prospective cohort study scored complications after pancreatic surgery according to the Clavien-Dindo system and the definitions of the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery. QoL was measured by the RAND36 questionnaire, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer core questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and the pancreas specific QLQ-PAN26. QoL in patients with severe complications was compared with QoL in patients with no or mild complications over a period of 12 months. Analysis was performed with linear mixed models for repeated measurements. RESULTS: Between March 2012 and July 2016, 137 patients were included. Sixty-eight patients (50%) had at least 1 severe complication. There were no statistically significant and clinically relevant differences between both groups in QoL up to 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: In this study, no differences in QoL between patients with and without severe postoperative complications were encountered during the first 12 months after surgery for pancreatic (pre-)malignancy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02175992.

Systematic review on the impact of pancreatoduodenectomy on quality of life in patients with pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer have a high risk of major postoperative complications and a low survival rate. Insight in the impact of pancreatoduodenectomy on quality of life (QoL) is therefore of great importance. The aim of this systematic review was to assess QoL after pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of all the English literature available in PubMed and Medline was performed. All studies assessing QoL with validated questionnaires in pancreatic cancer patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy were included. RESULTS: After screening a total of 788 articles, the full texts of 36 articles were assessed, and 17 articles were included. QoL of physical and social functioning domains decreased in the first 3 months after surgery. Recovery of physical and social functioning towards baseline values took place after 3-6 months. Pain, fatigue and diarrhoea scores deteriorated postoperatively, but eventually resolved after 3-6 months. CONCLUSION: Pancreatoduodenectomy for malignant disease negatively influences QoL in the physical and social domains at short term. It will eventually recover to baseline values after 3-6 months. This information is valuable for counselling and expectation management of patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy.

Prognostic value of lymph node metastases detected during surgical exploration for pancreatic or periampullary cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic-artery and para-aortic lymph node metastases (LNM) may be detected during surgical exploration for pancreatic (PDAC) or periampullary cancer. Some surgeons will continue the resection while others abort the exploration. METHODS: A systematic search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library for studies investigating survival in patients with intra-operatively detected hepatic-artery or para-aortic LNM. Survival was stratified for node positive (N1) disease. RESULTS: After screening 3088 studies, 13 studies with 2045 patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy were included. No study reported survival data after detection of LNM and aborted surgical exploration. In 110 patients with hepatic-artery LNM, median survival ranged between 7 and 17 months. Estimated pooled mean survival in 84 patients with hepatic-artery LNM was 15 [95%CI 12-18] months (13 months in PDAC), compared to 19 [16-22] months in 270 patients with N1-disease without hepatic-artery LNM (p = 0.020). In 192 patients with para-aortic LNM, median survival ranged between 5 and 32 months. Estimated pooled mean survival in 169 patients with para-aortic LNM was 13 [8-17] months (11 months in PDAC), compared to 17 (6-27) months in 506 patients with N1-disease without para-aortic LNM (p < 0.001). Data on the impact of (neo)adjuvant therapy on survival were lacking. CONCLUSION: Survival after pancreatoduodenectomy in patients with intra-operatively detected hepatic-artery and especially para-aortic LNM is inferior to patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy with other N1 disease. It remains unclear what the consequence of this should be since data on (neo-)adjuvant therapy and survival after aborted exploration are lacking.

Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency in Patients With Pancreatic or Periampullary Cancer: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in patients with pancreatic or periampullary cancer, both before and after resection. METHODS: Systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA guidelines). We included studies reporting on pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in patients with pancreatic or periampullary cancer. Data on patient demographics, type of pancreatic resection, diagnostic test, and occurrence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency were extracted. Prevalence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency was calculated before and after pancreatic resections and in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. RESULTS: Nine observational cohort studies with 693 patients were included. Median preoperative prevalence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency was 44% (range, 42%-47%) before pancreatoduodenectomy, 20% (range, 16%-67%) before distal pancreatectomy, 63% before total pancreatectomy, and 25% to 50% in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The median prevalence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency at least 6 months after pancreatoduodenectomy was 74% (range, 36%-100%) and 67% to 80% after distal pancreatectomy. CONCLUSION: Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is diagnosed in approximately half of all patients scheduled to undergo resection for pancreatic or periampullary cancer. The prevalence increases markedly after resection. These data highlight the need of pancreatic enzyme suppletion in these patients.

Diagnostic accuracy of CT in assessing extra-regional lymphadenopathy in pancreatic and peri-ampullary cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Computed tomography (CT) is the most widely used method to assess resectability of pancreatic and peri-ampullary cancer. One of the contra-indications for curative resection is the presence of extra-regional lymph node metastases. This meta-analysis investigates the accuracy of CT in assessing extra-regional lymph node metastases in pancreatic and peri-ampullary cancer. METHODS: We systematically reviewed the literature according to the PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting on CT assessment of extra-regional lymph nodes in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy were included. Data on baseline characteristics, CT-investigations and histopathological outcomes were extracted. Diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), sensitivity and specificity were calculated for individual studies and pooled data. RESULTS: After screening, 4 cohort studies reporting on CT-findings and histopathological outcome in 157 patients with pancreatic or peri-ampullary cancer were included. Overall, diagnostic accuracy, specificity and NPV varied from 63 to 81, 80-100% and 67-90% respectively. However, PPV and sensitivity ranged from 0 to 100% and 0-38%. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 25%, 86%, 28% and 84% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CT has a low diagnostic accuracy in assessing extra-regional lymph node metastases in pancreatic and peri-ampullary cancer. Therefore, suspicion of extra-regional lymph node metastases on CT alone should not be considered a contra-indication for exploration.

Early oral feeding after pancreatoduodenectomy enhances recovery without increasing morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a change in the routine feeding strategy applied after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) from nasojejunal tube (NJT) feeding to early oral feeding improved clinical outcomes. METHODS: An observational cohort study was performed in 102 consecutive patients undergoing PD. In period 1 (n = 51, historical controls), the routine postoperative feeding strategy was NJT feeding. This was changed to a protocol of early oral feeding with on-demand NJT feeding in period 2 (n = 51, consecutive prospective cohort). The primary outcome was time to resumption of adequate oral intake. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of study subjects in both periods were comparable. In period 1, 98% (n = 50) of patients received NJT feeding, whereas in period 2, 53% (n = 27) of patients did so [for delayed gastric empting (DGE) (n = 20) or preoperative malnutrition (n = 7)]. The time to resumption of adequate oral intake significantly decreased from 12 days in period 1 to 9 days in period 2 (P = 0.015), and the length of hospital stay shortened from 18 days in period 1 to 13 days in period 2 (P = 0.015). Overall, there were no differences in the incidences of complications of Clavien-Dindo Grade III or higher, DGE, pancreatic fistula, postoperative haemorrhage and mortality between the two periods. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of an early oral feeding strategy after PD reduced the time to resumption of adequate oral intake and length of hospital stay without negatively impacting postoperative morbidity.