Impact of enhanced recovery protocols after pancreatoduodenectomy: meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This individual-patient data meta-analysis investigated the effects of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols compared with conventional care on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy. METHODS: The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched systematically for articles reporting outcomes of ERAS after pancreatoduodenectomy published up to August 2020. Comparative studies were included. Main outcomes were postoperative functional recovery elements, postoperative morbidity, duration of hospital stay, and readmission. RESULTS: Individual-patient data were obtained from 17 of 31 eligible studies comprising 3108 patients. Time to liquid (mean difference (MD) -3.23 (95 per cent c.i. -4.62 to -1.85) days; P < 0.001) and solid (-3.84 (-5.09 to -2.60) days; P < 0.001) intake, time to passage of first stool (MD -1.38 (-1.82 to -0.94) days; P < 0.001) and time to removal of the nasogastric tube (3.03 (-4.87 to -1.18) days; P = 0.001) were reduced with ERAS. ERAS was associated with lower overall morbidity (risk difference (RD) -0.04, 95 per cent c.i. -0.08 to -0.01; P = 0.015), less delayed gastric emptying (RD -0.11, -0.22 to -0.01; P = 0.039) and a shorter duration of hospital stay (MD -2.33 (-2.98 to -1.69) days; P < 0.001) without a higher readmission rate. CONCLUSION: ERAS improved postoperative outcome after pancreatoduodenectomy. Implementation should be encouraged.

Enhanced recovery protocols consist of interdisciplinary interventions aimed at standardizing care and reducing the impact of surgical stress. They often include a short period of preoperative fasting during the night before surgery, early removal of lines and surgical drains, early food intake and mobilization out of bed on the day of surgery. This study gives a summary of reports assessing such care protocols in patients undergoing pancreatic head surgery, and assesses the impact of these protocols on functional recovery in an analysis of individual-patient data. The study revealed the true benefits of enhanced recovery protocols, including shorter time to food intake, earlier bowel activity, fewer complications after surgery, and a shorter hospital stay compared with conventional care.

Congenital Right Morgagni Hernia Presenting in an Adult-a Case Report.

Patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH) usually present in the neonatal period with respiratory distress. Delayed presentation of CDH in adults is rare and difficult to diagnose. We present a 42-year-old female patient who came with complaints of epigastric pain and breathlessness on exertion. X-ray and CT scan of the chest revealed a right-sided Morgagni hernia. The contents of the hernia were reduced and a primary tension free repair of the hernia defect was done through laparotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. A strong clinical suspicion and good interpretation of radiological images help diagnose CDH which present late. Prompt surgical repair is mandatory and the outcomes are usually favorable. Primary repair is usually successful; however, mesh repair may be required for larger defects.

Outcome of video-assisted translumbar retroperitoneal necrosectomy and closed lavage for severe necrotizing pancreatitis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Surgery for necrotizing pancreatitis is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. We present a series of 26 patients who underwent video-assisted translumbar retroperitoneal necrosectomy and analyse their outcomes. METHODS: Records of 26 patients who underwent video-assisted translumbar retroperitoneal necrosectomy and closed drainage for infected pancreatitic necrosis between January 2008 and March 2012 were reviewed, retrospectively. RESULTS: Twenty-three out of 26 patients were males, with a mean age of 38.6 (±9.9) years. Alcohol was the aetiology in 18 patients, gall stones in 7, and in 1 it was idiopathic. The mean duration of symptoms before patients were taken up for surgery was 47.2 (±34.8) days. The mean computed tomography severity index was 7.7 (±1.2). All patients had undergone video-assisted retroperitoneal necrosectomy through a limited left lumbar incision. Post-operative lavage was given through drains placed in the retroperitoneum. Three patients required re-exploration. Eleven patients developed complications and there were two mortalities. The median intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 4 days (range 2-14 days). The mean post-operative hospital stay was 22.5 (±6.6) days. CONCLUSION: Video-assisted translumbar retroperitoneal necrosectomy followed by closed lavage of infected pancreatic necrosis in select cases of infected pancreatic necrosis was associated with a low rate of ICU stay, hospital stay and need for re-entry.

Feasibility of implementing fast-track surgery in pancreaticoduodenectomy with pancreaticogastrostomy for reconstruction--a prospective cohort study with historical control.

INTRODUCTION: Fast track programmes have been introduced in pancreatic surgery, but the data are sparse. The aim of this prospective study was to analyse the feasibility of implementing fast track rehabilitation protocol in PD with pancreaticogastrostomy, using historical control for comparison. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2012 and December 2012, twenty patients who underwent PD (with pancreaticogastrostomy) were managed by a fast-track rehabilitation protocol. These patients were compared with an equal number of historical controls treated according to the traditional protocol. RESULTS: Patients in the fast track group were able to tolerate liquid (p = 0.0005) and solid diet (p = 0.0001) earlier, and they passed stools earlier (p = 0.02). Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) was significantly reduced in the fast track group (p = 0.02). There was no difference in the rates of pancreatic fistula (PF), post pancreatectomy haemorrhage (PPH) and mortality between the two groups. Length of hospital stay was reduced in the fast track group (median 14 vs 18.5, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Fast track programme appears to be feasible in PD, even with pancreatico-gastric anastomosis. It is associated with early recovery, reduced DGE and reduced hospital stay.

Predictors of malignancy in chronic calcific pancreatitis with head mass.

AIM: To prospectively analyse the clinical, biochemical and radiological characteristics of the mass lesions arising in a background of chronic calcific pancreatitis (CCP). METHODS: Eighty three patients, who presented with chronic pancreatitis (CP) and a mass lesion in the head of pancreas between February 2005 and December 2011, were included in the study. Patients who were identified to have malignancy underwent Whipple's procedure and patients whose investigations were suggestive of a benign lesion underwent Frey's procedure. Student t-test was used to compare the mean values of imaging findings [common bile duct (CBD), main pancreatic duct (MPD) size] and laboratory data [Serum bilirubin, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9)] between the groups. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) analysis was done to calculate the cutoff valves of serum bilirubin, CA 19-9, MPD and CBD size. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive valve (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated using these cut off points. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression model. RESULTS: The study included 56 men (67.5%) and 27 women (32.5%). Sixty (72.3%) patients had tropical calcific pancreatitis and 23 (27.7%) had alcohol related CCP. Histologically, it was confirmed that 55 (66.3%) of the 83 patients had an inflammatory head mass and 28 (33.7%) had a malignant head mass. The mean age of individuals with benign inflammatory mass and those with malignant mass was 38.4 years and 45 years respectively. Significant clinical features that predicted a malignant head mass in CP were presence of a head mass in CCP of tropics, old age, jaundice, sudden worsening abdominal pain, gastric outlet obstruction and significant weight loss (P ≤ 0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed a cut off value of 5.8 mg/dL for serum bilirubin, 127 U/mL for CA 19-9, 11.5 mm for MPD size and 14.5 mm for CBD size. CONCLUSION: Elevated Serum bilirubin and CA 19-9, and dilated MPD and CBD were useful in predicting malignancy in patients with CCP and head mass.