Small pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: observing and monitoring or prompt surgical resection.

Over recent decades there has been a significant increase in the annual incidence of neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas (PanNETs), from 0.4 to 0.8 per 100,000 inhabitants, due to a more widespread use of more sensitive imaging techniques (cross-sectional and functional imaging).

Comparison of phenotypes and outcomes following resection of incidental versus symptomatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: fifty to 70 percent of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are diagnosed incidentally. The objective of this study was to compare the phenotype and oncological outcomes of incidental versus symptomatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. METHODS: a retrospective study was performed, identifying all incidental and symptomatic tumors resected between 2000 and 2019. Baseline characteristics, symptoms, operative variables and pathological stage were all recorded. Patterns of recurrence and overall and disease-free survival were analyzed in both groups. RESULTS: fifty-one incidental and 45 symptomatic pancreatic tumor resections were performed. Symptomatic tumors were more frequent in females (29 vs 17; p = 0.005) and younger patients (median years; 50 vs 58; p = 0.012) and were detected at a more advanced stage (p = 0.027). There were no differences in location and most resections (n = 49; 51 %) were performed laparoscopically. There were no operative mortalities and 17 (17.7 %) severe complications (≥ IIIb on the Clavien-Dindo classification) were recorded with no differences between the two groups. With a median follow-up of 64.4 months (range 13.5-90), overall survival at five and ten years was 89.7 % and 72.8 % for the non-incidental tumors and 80.9 % and 54.6 % for the incidental tumors (p = ns), respectively. Disease-free survival in both groups (excluding M1a) was 71.2 % and 47.5 %, and 93.7 % and 78.1 %, respectively (p = ns). CONCLUSIONS: symptomatic tumors are more frequent in females and present at more advanced pathological stages. There were no significant differences in overall and disease-free survival between the two groups. Resection of incidental tumors ≥ 1.5-2 cm seems advisable, although each case should be assessed on an individual basis.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach for the Treatment of Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome: Long-Term Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Latero-lateral duodenojejunostomy is the treatment of choice for superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS). The present study analyzes the long-term outcomes in 13 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for SMAS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 10 females and three males undergoing surgery between 2001 and 2013 was performed. Demographic, clinical and radiologic data and long-term surgical outcomes were recorded. In 12 patients latero-lateral duodenojejunostomy and in one patient distal laparoscopic gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction were performed. The median age was 24 years (20-28), and the median duration of symptoms was 24 months (5-24). The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain (n = 11; 92.3%), nausea and vomiting (n = 10; 77%) and weight loss (n = 9; 69.2%). The median operating time was 98 min (86-138) and hospital stay was 3 days (1-14). RESULTS: No reconversions occurred, and one patient experienced gastric emptying delay in the immediate postoperative period with spontaneous resolution. In four patients, SMAS was associated with severe stenosis of the celiac trunk which was treated in the same operation, and four patients presented stenosis of the left renal vein (the "nutcracker" phenomenon). With a median follow-up of 94 months (SD 65.3), eight patients (61.5%) had excellent results. One patient had a relapse of symptoms 4 years after surgery requiring distal gastrectomy, two patients presented delay in gastric emptying following temporary improvement and one patient experienced no improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Latero-lateral duodenojejunostomy yields good results in SMAS although it requires other gastric motility disorders to be ruled out for appropriate treatment to be established.

Incidental lesions of the pancreas. A clinicopathological study of 100 cases surgically treated.

OBJECTIVE: the objective of the present study was to analyze the characteristics of resected incidental lesions of the pancreas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a retrospective study was performed of pancreatectomies due to incidentalomas between 1995 and 2018. RESULTS: one hundred pancreatectomies were performed due to incidental lesions; 64 (64%) were solid and 36 (36%) were cystic lesions. The cytological analysis agreed with the diagnosis in 67/71 (88.7%) cases. Thirty-six tumors were cystic, 48 were neuroendocrine and 16 were adenocarcinomas. Disease-free survival for patients with cystic, neuroendocrine tumors and adenocarcinomas was 100%, 79% and 57.7% (p < 0.04). CONCLUSION: pancreatic incidentalomas have a heterogeneous phenotype and should be treated in experienced centers.

Cystic tumors of the pancreas. An update of the surgical experience in a single institution.

BACKGROUND: the aim of the present study was to analyze the clinicopathological features of patients undergoing pancreatic surgical resections due to cystic neoplasms of the pancreas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: demographic data, form of presentation, radiologic images and location of the tumors within the pancreas were analyzed. Data was also collected on the type of surgery (open/laparoscopic), postoperative complications and their severity and oncologic outcomes. RESULTS: eighty-two pancreatic resections were performed. The mean age of patients was 57 years and 49 (59%) were female. Forty-one tumors (50%) were incidental and the most frequent symptoms in the group of symptomatic patients were abdominal pain (63.4%) and weight loss (36.5%). Thirty-two tumors (39%) were located in the tail of the pancreas, 25 (30.5%) in the head and 20 (24.4%) in the body. Thirty-nine (47.5%) distal pancreatectomies, 16 central, ten duodenal pancreatectomies and one enucleation were performed; 40 (48.5%) were carried out laparoscopically. Mean hospital stay was ten days and eight patients (7%) experienced severe complications, one was a pancreatic fistula. Sixty-six tumors (80.5%) were recorded as non-invasive and 16 (19.5%) as invasive: seven intraductal mucinous papillary tumors, one cystic mucinous tumor, four solid pseudopapillary tumors and four cystic neuroendocrine tumors. There was a median follow-up of 64 months; disease-free survival at five and ten years was 97.4% in the patients with non-invasive tumors and 84.6% and 70.5% in the invasive tumors group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: fifty percent of cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are incidental. Two phenotypes exist, invasive and non-invasive.

Author´s reply: Cystic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. A diagnostic challenge.

We are grateful for the helpful comments of Varas et al. with regard to the phenotype of cystic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (CPNT) reported in a recent meta-analysis of 436 patients. Varas et al. highlight the lower incidence of CPNT diagnosed incidentally in 135 patients (44.6%) in comparison with a recent series of 49 patients with an incidental tumor diagnosis of 56.5%.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas: clinicopathological features and long-term outcomes following a pancreatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: the objective of this study was to analyze the anatomical and clinical features and long-term oncologic outcomes of 25 patients that underwent surgery due to intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: patients undergoing surgery for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas were identified from a prospective database of pancreatic resections. Demographic data, symptoms, type of surgery and type of lesion (branch type, main duct or mixed) were recorded. The lesions were classified into invasive (high grade dysplasia and carcinoma) and noninvasive (low- or intermediate-grade dysplasia). Postoperative complications were analyzed as well as the pattern of recurrence and disease-free survival at five and ten years. RESULTS: the most common symptoms in the 25 patients (14 males and eleven females) were abdominal pain and weight loss. Eight (32%) cases were diagnosed incidentally. Twelve (48%) of the lesions were of the branch type, three affected the main duct and ten (40%) were mixed. Twelve cephalic duodenopancreatectomies and seven total pancreatectomies were performed; three were central; two, distal; and one, enucleation. Seven cases (32%) had an invasive phenotype. Three patients had locoregional and distant recurrence at six, 16 and 46 months after surgery with a median follow-up of 7.7 years. Disease-free survival at five and ten years for the noninvasive type was 94% and 57% for invasive phenotypes (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm is a heterogeneous entity with well differentiated phenotypes, which requires a tailored strategy and treatment, as established in the current consensus guidelines due to its malignant potential.

Cystic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (cPNETs): a systematic review and meta-analysis of case series.

Cystic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors represent 13% of all neuroendocrine tumors. The aim of this study is to analyze the phenotype and biologic behavior of resected cystic neuroendocrine tumors. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted until September 2016 using a search in Medline, Scopus, and EMBASE with the terms "cystic pancreatic endocrine neoplasm", "cystic islets tumors" and "cystic islets neoplasms". From the 795 citations recovered 80 studies reporting on 431 patients were selected. 87.1% (n = 387) were sporadic tumors and 10.3% (n = 40) corresponded to multiple endocrine neoplasia endocrine type 1. Were diagnosed incidentally 44.6% (n = 135). Cytology was found to have a sensitivity of 78.5%. Were non-functional tumors 85% (n = 338), and among the functional tumors, insulinoma was the most frequent. According to the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society staging, 87.8% were limited to the pancreas (I-IIb), and 12.2% were advanced (III-IV). Disease-free survival at 5 years in stages (I-IIIa) and (IIIb-IV) was 91.5% and 54.2%, respectively; and was significantly lower (p = 0.0001) in functional tumors. In patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia there was a higher incidence of functional (62.5%) and multifocal (28.1%) tumors. Disease-free survival at 5 and 10 years was 60%. Cystic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors exhibit phenotypical characteristics which are different to those of solid neuroendocrine tumors.

Preoperative renal embolisation in patients with polycystic kidney disease requiring incisional hernia repair after renal transplantation.

In the same way that renal transcatheter arterial embolisation (TAE) has demonstrated its effectiveness and safety compared with nephrectomy of the polycystic kidney at the time of transplantation, we propose that TAE can be a minimally invasive option in the surgical preparation for incisional hernia repair in order to reduce the compressive effect of the polycystic kidney, creating space and ensuring safe hernia repair. The objective of this article is to describe the first case in which TAE is used in advance of incisional hernia secondary to renal transplantation in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Predictors of postoperative complications and readmissions in laparoscopic pancreas resection: Results of a cohort 105 consecutive cases. A retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic resection of the pancreas (LRP) has been implemented to a varying degree because it is technically demanding and requires a long learning curve. In the present study we analyze the risk factors for complications and hospital readmissions in a single center study of 105 consecutive LRPs. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study using a prospective database. Data were collected on age, gender, BMI, ASA score, type of surgery, histologic type, operative time, hospital stay, postoperative complications, degree of severity and hospital readmission. RESULTS: The cohort included 105 patients, 63 females and 42 males with a median age and BMI of 58 (53-70) and 25.5 (22,2-27.9) respectively. Eighteen (17%) central pancreatectomies, 5 (4.8%) enucleations, 81 (77.6%) distal pancreatectomies and one total pancreatectomy were performed. Fifty-six patients (53.3%) experienced some type of complication, of which 13 (12.3%) were severe (Clavien-Dindo > IIIb) and 11 (10.5%) patients were readmitted in the first 30 days after surgery. In the univariate analysis, age, male gender, ASA score, central pancreatectomy and operative time were significantly associated with the development of complications (P <0.05). In the multivariate analysis, male gender (OR 7.97; 95% CI 1.08-58.88)), severe complications (OR 59.40; 95% CI, 7.69-458.99), and the development of intrabdominal collections (OR 8.97; 95% CI, 1.28-63.02)) were associated with hospital readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Age, male gender, ASA score, operative time and central pancreatectomy are associated with a higher incidence of complications. Male gender, severe complications and intraabdominal collections are associated with more hospital readmissions.

Watchful Waiting After Radiological Guided Drainage of Intra-abdominal Abscess in Patients With Crohn's Disease Might Be Associated With Increased Rates of Stoma Construction.

Background: Management of spontaneous intra-abdominal abscess (IAA) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) with radiologically guided percutaneous drainage (PD) was debated. Methods: This is a secondary analysis from a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of all the patients with CD who underwent PD followed by surgery at 19 international tertiary centers. Results: Seventeen patients (4.8%) who did not undergo surgery after PD were compared to those who had PD followed by surgical intervention 335/352 (95.2%). Patients who had PD without surgery were those with longer disease duration, more frequently had previous surgery for CD (laparotomies/laparoscopies), enteric fistula, on steroid treatment before and continue to have it after PD. Patients who had PD without subsequent surgical resection had a higher risk of stoma construction at later stages 8/17 (47.1%) versus 90/326 (27.6%) (P < .01). Patients with PD with no subsequent surgery had numerically higher rates of abscess recurrence 5/17 (29.4%) compared to those who had PD followed by surgery 45/335 (13.4%) the difference was not statistically significant (P = .07). Conclusions: Even with the low number of patients enrolled in this study who had PD of IAA without subsequent surgery, the findings indicate a markedly worse prognosis in terms of recurrence, length of stay, readmission, and stoma construction. Watchful waiting after PD to treat patients with spontaneous IAA might be indicated in selected patients with poor health status or poor prognostic factors.