FOLFIRINOX or Gemcitabine-based Chemotherapy for Borderline Resectable and Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Multi-institutional, Patient-Level, Meta-analysis and Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer often presents as locally advanced (LAPC) or borderline resectable (BRPC). Neoadjuvant systemic therapy is recommended as initial treatment. It is currently unclear what chemotherapy should be preferred for patients with BRPC or LAPC. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and multi-institutional meta-analysis of patient-level data regarding the use of initial systemic therapy for BRPC and LAPC. Outcomes were reported separately for tumor entity and by chemotherapy regimen including FOLFIRINOX (FIO) or gemcitabine-based. RESULTS: A total of 23 studies comprising 2930 patients were analyzed for overall survival (OS) calculated from the beginning of systemic treatment. OS for patients with BRPC was 22.0 months with FIO, 16.9 months with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (Gem/nab), 21.6 months with gemcitabine/cisplatin or oxaliplatin or docetaxel or capecitabine (GemX), and 10 months with gemcitabine monotherapy (Gem-mono) (p < 0.0001). In patients with LAPC, OS also was higher with FIO (17.1 months) compared with Gem/nab (12.5 months), GemX (12.3 months), and Gem-mono (9.4 months; p < 0.0001). This difference was driven by the patients who did not undergo surgery, where FIO was superior to other regimens. The resection rates for patients with BRPC were 0.55 for gemcitabine-based chemotherapy and 0.53 with FIO. In patients with LAPC, resection rates were 0.19 with Gemcitabine and 0.28 with FIO. In resected patients, OS for patients with BRPC was 32.9 months with FIO and not different compared to Gem/nab, (28.6 months, p = 0.285), GemX (38.8 months, p = 0.1), or Gem-mono (23.1 months, p = 0.083). A similar trend was observed in resected patients converted from LAPC. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with BRPC or LAPC, primary treatment with FOLFIRINOX compared with Gemcitabine-based chemotherapy appears to provide a survival benefit for patients that are ultimately unresectable. For patients that undergo surgical resection, outcomes are similar between GEM+ and FOLFIRINOX when delivered in the neoadjuvant setting.

Surgical and Oncological Outcomes After Preoperative FOLFIRINOX Chemotherapy in Resected Pancreatic Cancer: An International Multicenter Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy is increasingly administered to patients with borderline resectable (BRPC) and locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) to improve overall survival (OS). Multicenter studies reporting on the impact from the number of preoperative cycles and the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in relation to outcomes in this setting are lacking. This study aimed to assess the outcome of pancreatectomy after preoperative FOLFIRINOX, including predictors of OS. METHODS: This international multicenter retrospective cohort study included patients from 31 centers in 19 European countries and the United States undergoing pancreatectomy after preoperative FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy (2012-2016). The primary end point was OS from diagnosis. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression. RESULTS: The study included 423 patients who underwent pancreatectomy after a median of six (IQR 5-8) preoperative cycles of FOLFIRINOX. Postoperative major morbidity occurred for 88 (20.8%) patients and 90-day mortality for 12 (2.8%) patients. An R0 resection was achieved for 243 (57.4%) patients, and 259 (61.2%) patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. The median OS was 38 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 34-42 months) for BRPC and 33 months (95% CI 27-45 months) for LAPC. Overall survival was significantly associated with R0 resection (hazard ratio [HR] 1.63; 95% CI 1.20-2.20) and tumor differentiation (HR 1.43; 95% CI 1.08-1.91). Neither the number of preoperative chemotherapy cycles nor the use adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with OS. CONCLUSIONS: This international multicenter study found that pancreatectomy after FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy is associated with favorable outcomes for patients with BRPC and those with LAPC. Future studies should confirm that the number of neoadjuvant cycles and the use adjuvant chemotherapy have no relation to OS after resection.

Intraoperative pancreatoscopy can improve the detection of skip lesions during surgery for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Intraoperative pancreatoscopy is a promising procedure that might guide surgical resection for suspected main duct (MD) and mixed type (MT) intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). The aim of the present study was to assess the diagnostic yield and clinical impact of intraoperative pancreatoscopy in patients operated on for MD and MT-IPMNs. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. Patients undergoing surgery for suspected MD or MT-IPMN underwent intraoperative pancreatoscopy and frozen section analysis. In all patients who required extended resection due to pancreatoscopic findings, we compared the final histology with the results of the intraoperative frozen section analysis. RESULTS: In total, 46 patients, 48% females, mean age (range) 67 years (45-82 years) underwent intraoperative pancreatoscopy. No mortality or procedure related complications were observed. Pancreatoscopy changed the operative course in 30 patients (65%), leading to extended resections in 20 patients (43%) and to parenchyma sparing procedures in 10 patients (22%). Analyzing the group of patients who underwent extended resections, 7 (35%) displayed lesions that needed further surgical treatment (six high grade dysplasia and one with G1 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor) and among those 7, just 1 (14%) would have been detected exclusively with histological frozen section analysis of the transection margin. The combination of both pancreatoscopy and frozen section analysis lead to 86% sensitivity and 92% specificity for the detection of pathological tissue in the remnant pancreas. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative pancreatoscopy is a safe and feasible procedure and might allow the detection of skip lesions during surgery for suspect MD-involving IPMNs.

Development of biotissue training models for anastomotic suturing in pancreatic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic suturing is the Achilles heel of pancreatic surgery. Especially in laparoscopic and robotically assisted surgery, the pancreatic anastomosis should first be trained outside the operating room. Realistic training models are therefore needed. METHODS: Models of the pancreas, small bowel, stomach, bile duct, and a realistic training torso were developed for training of anastomoses in pancreatic surgery. Pancreas models with soft and hard textures, small and large ducts were incrementally developed and evaluated. Experienced pancreatic surgeons (n = 44) evaluated haptic realism, rigidity, fragility of tissues, and realism of suturing and knot tying. RESULTS: In the iterative development process the pancreas models showed high haptic realism and highest realism in suturing (4.6 ± 0.7 and 4.9 ± 0.5 on 1-5 Likert scale, soft pancreas). The small bowel model showed highest haptic realism (4.8 ± 0.4) and optimal wall thickness (0.1 ± 0.4 on -2 to +2 Likert scale) and suturing behavior (0.1 ± 0.4). The bile duct models showed optimal wall thickness (0.3 ± 0.8 and 0.4 ± 0.8 on -2 to +2 Likert scale) and optimal tissue fragility (0 ± 0.9 and 0.3 ± 0.7). CONCLUSION: The biotissue training models showed high haptic realism and realistic suturing behavior. They are suitable for realistic training of anastomoses in pancreatic surgery which may improve patient outcomes.

Adenomatous neoplasia in the papilla of Vater endoscopic and/or surgical resection?

BACKGROUND: Adenomatous neoplasia in the papilla of Vater needs to be resected in order not to progress. It can be challenging to distinguish between early ampullary malignant lesions and non-invasive adenomas, due to the overlap in symptoms and radiological findings. This retrospective study describes the different findings and treatment decisions taken prior to endoscopic and/or surgical resection of ampullary adenomatous lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients treated with endoscopic and/or surgical resection for suspected or verified ampullary adenomatous neoplasia, between January 2006 and July 2018, where pre-interventional cross-sectional imaging could not discern an obvious invasive, malignant tumor, were included. Findings were compared against the final diagnosis of the histopathological analysis on the resected specimen. RESULTS: In total, 172 met the inclusion criteria. Patients were treated with either surgical resection (n = 96), endoscopic papillectomy (EP) (n = 55) or both (n = 21). The final diagnosis was in 48% ampullary adenocarcinoma, and the remaining had either ampullary adenoma (38%) or non-neoplastic lesions (14%). In patients where symptoms and cross-sectional imaging were suspicious for malignancy, but with no tissue samples that confirmed neoplasia prior to surgical resection, only 47% had adenocarcinoma. The remaining had either adenoma (9%) or non-neoplastic lesions (44%). Adenocarcinoma was revealed in 27% of the patients where endoscopic biopsies had shown adenoma. Patients with adenoma, treated with EP, were cured in 59%. However, 28% were after EP sent for further surgery due to ductal invasion or a finding of adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a suspicion of ampullary neoplasia on imaging, attempts should be made to get endoscopic tissue samples before deciding on a treatment strategy. If biopsies show ampullary adenoma, patients should be considered for EP, unless there are clear radiologic or endoscopic signs of malignancy. Patients with adenocarcinoma on endoscopic biopsies should undergo surgical resection.

Urban Warming of the Two Most Populated Cities in the Canadian Province of Alberta, and Its Influencing Factors.

Continuous urban expansion transforms the natural land cover into impervious surfaces across the world. It increases the city's thermal intensity that impacts the local climate, thus, warming the urban environment. Surface urban heat island (SUHI) is an indicator of quantifying such local urban warming. In this study, we quantified SUHI for the two most populated cities in Alberta, Canada, i.e., the city of Calgary and the city of Edmonton. We used the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) acquired land surface temperature (LST) to estimate the day and nighttime SUHI and its trends during 2001-2020. We also performed a correlation analysis between SUHI and selected seven influencing factors, such as urban expansion, population, precipitation, and four large-scale atmospheric oscillations, i.e., Sea Surface Temperature (SST), Pacific North America (PNA), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and Arctic Oscillation (AO). Our results indicated a continuous increase in the annual day and nighttime SUHI values from 2001 to 2020 in both cities, with a higher magnitude found for Calgary. Moreover, the highest value of daytime SUHI was observed in July for both cities. While significant warming trends of SUHI were noticed in the annual daytime for the cities, only Calgary showed it in the annual nighttime. The monthly significant warming trends of SUHI showed an increasing pattern during daytime in June, July, August, and September in Calgary, and March and September in Edmonton. Here, only Calgary showed the nighttime significant warming trends in March, May, and August. Further, our correlation analysis indicated that population and built-up expansion were the main factors that influenced the SUHI in the cities during the study period. Moreover, SST indicated an acceptable relationship with SUHI in Edmonton only, while PDO, PNA, and AO did not show any relation in either of the two cities. We conclude that population, built-up size, and landscape pattern could better explain the variations of the SUHI intensity and trends. These findings may help to develop the adaptation and mitigating strategies in fighting the impact of SUHI and ensure a sustainable city environment.

Surgery Improves Survival After Neoadjuvant Therapy for Borderline and Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Single Institution Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) has become part of the multimodality treatment for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) and locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: It is currently uncertain which are the preferable NAT regimens, who benefits from surgery, and whether more aggressive surgical strategy is motivated. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed for all patients with BRPC/LAPC discussed and planned for NAT at multidisciplinary conference at Karolinska University Hospital from 2010 to 2017. RESULTS: Of 233 patients eligible, 168 (72%) received NAT and were reevaluated for possibility of resection. A total of 156 (67%) patients (mean 64 yrs, 53% male) had pancreatic adenocarcinoma, comprising the study group for survival analysis. LAPC was diagnosed in 132 patients (85%), BRPC in 22 (14%), and resectable tumor in 2 (1.3%). Fifty patients (40.3%) received full-dose NAT. Only 54 (34.6%) had FOLFIRINOX. The overall survival among resected patients was similar for BRPC and LAPC (median survival 15.0 vs 14.5 mo, P = 0.4; and 31.9 vs 21.8 mo, P = 0.7, respectively). Resected patients had better survival than nonresected, irrespective of the type or whether full-dose NAT was given (median survival 22.4 vs 12.7 mo; 1-, 3-, and 5-yr survival: 86.4%, 38.9%, 26.9% vs 52.2%, 1.5%, 0%, respectively (P < 0001). For all preoperative values of Ca 19-9, surgical resection had positive impact on survival. CONCLUSIONS: All patients with BRPC/LAPC who do not progress during NAT should be considered for surgical resection, irrespective of the type or dose of NAT given. Higher levels of Ca 19-9 should not be considered an absolute contraindication for resection.

Impact of Personal Protective Equipment on Surgical Performance During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 pandemic has exposed surgeons to hazardous working conditions, imposing the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) use during surgery. The use of such equipment may affect their non-technical skills, augment fatigue, and affect performance. This study aimed to assess the surgeons' perceptions of the impact of wearing PPE during emergency surgery throughout the pandemic. METHODS: An international cooperation group conducted an anonymous online survey among surgeons from over 30 countries, to assess perceptions about the impact of PPE use on non-technical skills, overall comfort, decision making, and surgical performance during emergency surgery on COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: Responses to the survey (134) were received from surgeons based on 26 countries. The vast majority (72%) were males. More than half of the respondents (54%) felt that their surgical performance was hampered with PPE. Visual impairment was reported by 63%, whereas 54% had communication impediments. Less than half (48%) felt protected with the use of PPE, and the same proportion perceived that the use of such equipment influenced their decision making. Decreased overall comfort was cited by 66%, and 82% experienced increased surgical fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons perceived impediment for both visibility and communication, and other non-technical skills while using PPE on emergency surgery in COVID-19 patients. Their perceived lack of protection and comfort and increased fatigue may have inhibited their optimal surgical performance. More attention should be placed in the design of more user-friendly equipment, given the possibility of a second wave of the pandemic.

Neoepitope targets of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes from patients with pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer exhibits a poor prognosis and often presents with metastasis at diagnosis. Immunotherapeutic approaches targeting private cancer mutations (neoantigens) are a clinically viable option to improve clinical outcomes. METHODS: 3/40 TIL lines (PanTT26, PanTT39, PanTT77) were more closely examined for neoantigen recognition. Whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify non-synonymous somatic mutations. Mutant peptides were synthesised and assessed for antigen-specific IFN-γ production and specific tumour killing in a standard Cr51 assay. TIL phenotype was tested by flow cytometry. Lymphocytes and HLA molecules in tumour tissue were visualised by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: PanTT26 and PanTT39 TILs recognised and killed the autologous tumour cells. PanTT26 TIL recognised the KRASG12v mutation, while a PanTT39 CD4+ TIL clone recognised the neoepitope (GLLRYWRTERLF) from an aquaporin 1-like protein (gene: K7N7A8). Repeated stimulation of TILs with the autologous tumour cells line lead to focused recognition of several mutated targets, based on IFN-γ production. TILs and corresponding PBMCs from PanTT77 showed shared as well as mutually exclusively tumour epitope recognition (TIL-responsive or PBMC-responsive). CONCLUSION: This study provides methods to robustly screen T-cell targets for pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is immunogenic and immunotherapeutic approaches can be used to develop improved, targeted therapies.

Main pancreatic duct dilation greater than 6 mm is associated with an increased risk of high-grade dysplasia and cancer in IPMN patients.

INTRODUCTION: IPMNs, considered precursor lesions of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC), might display histological alteration varying from low-grade dysplasia (LGD) to cancer. Nevertheless, the prevalence of PDAC is far below the prevalence of IPMN; therefore, not all of these precursor lesions finally progress to cancer. Preoperative features consistent with and finding at final histology of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or cancer are currently lacking. The aim of this study is to correlate the presence of preoperative clinical features with the finding of advance lesions at final histology. METHODS: This is retrospective cohort analysis of patients who underwent surgery for histologically confirmed IPMNs at Karolinska University Hospital, from 2008 to 2015. RESULTS: MPD 6-9.9 mm and ≥ 10 mm were associated with an increased risk of HGD/cancer (respectively, OR 2.92, CI 1.38-6.20, p = 0.005 and OR 2.65, CI 1.12-6.25, p = 0.02). Preoperative high CA19.9 and jaundice were both associated with a higher risk of HGD/cancer at final histology (respectively, OR 4.15, CI 1.90-9.05, p = 0.0003 and OR 15.36, CI 1.94-121.22, p = 0.009). At sex- and age-adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis, MPD between 6 and 9.9 mm (OR 2.64, CI 1.15-6.06, p = 0.02), jaundice (OR 12.43, CI 1.44-106.93, p = 0.02), and elevated CA19.9 (OR 3.71, CI 1.63-8.46, p = 0.001) remained associated with the occurrence of HGD/cancer. DISCUSSION: The presence of MPD dilation ≥ 6 mm, jaundice, and elevated CA19.9 in IPMN patients are consistent with the finding for HGD/cancer at final histology, thus representing possible markers of advanced lesions suitable for earlier or preventive curative surgical treatment.

Pancreatectomy with arterial resection is superior to palliation in patients with borderline resectable or locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the outcome of pancreatectomy associated with artery resection (PAR). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a cohort of operated borderline or locally advanced pancreatic cancer patients with surgically confirmed arterial involvement. Short and long-term outcome were analyzed and compared in patients who underwent PAR (Group 1) and palliative surgery (Group 2). RESULTS: Of 73 patients who underwent surgical exploration with intent of resection, 34 underwent PAR (±venous resection) (Group 1) and 39 underwent palliation (Group 2). 23 patients (67.7%) in Group 1 underwent combined artery-vein resection (AVR). Operation time was longer and blood loss higher in group 1 compared to group 2. There were no differences in post-operative mortality (2.9% vs 2.6%, p = 0.9) and post-operative surgical complications (38.2% vs 25.6%, p = 0.2). The 1, 3 and 5 years survival in Group 1 was superior to Group 2 (63.7%, 23.4% and Q3 23.4% vs 41.7%, 3.2% and 0, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: PAR seems to be safe and feasible in well selected patients and associated with an advantage of survival compared to palliation, in patients affected by locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatectomies for pancreatic neoplasms in pediatric and adolescent age: A single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: There are very few data in the current literature regarding the short- and long-term outcome of surgery for pediatric pancreatic tumors (PPT). No data are available on the impact of pancreatic surgery on the children's growth. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study on a consecutive series of pediatric/adolescent patients who underwent pediatric surgery at Karolinska University Hospital from January 2005 to July 2017. RESULTS: Overall 14 pancreatic operations were performed in 13 patients. The median age was 11.4 years (range 3-15). Six pancreaticoduodenectomies (42.8%), 5 distal pancreatectomies (35.7%), and 3 enucleations (21.5%) were performed. The final histology revealed a solid pseudopapillary tumor in 9 cases (69.2%), neuroblastoma in 1 (7.7%), ganglioneuroma in 1 (7.7%), pancreatoblastoma in 1 (7.7%), and insulinoma in 1 (7.7%). Overall, 3 patients developed post-operative complications (23%). There was no peri-operative mortality. All patients are alive after a median follow-up time of 80 months. Exocrine insufficiency was detected post-operatively in 4 patients (30.7%) Endocrine insufficiency requiring insulin treatment developed in one patient (7.7%). No significant impact on growth was detected in any of the patients after pancreatic resection. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, surgery performed for PPTs seems to be safe and effective. The effect of pancreatic surgery on children's growth does not seem to be significant.

Survival Analysis and Risk for Progression of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasia of the Pancreas (IPMN) Under Surveillance: A Single-Institution Experience.

PURPOSE: While surveillance of the majority of patients with IPMN is considered best practice, consensus regarding the duration of follow-up is lacking. This study assessed the survival rate and risk for progression of IPMN under surveillance. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with and surveyed for IPMN between January 2008 and December 2013 were identified and assigned to two groups: patients without indication for surgery (Group 1), and patients whose IPMN required surgery but were inoperable for general reasons (Group 2). Disease progression and survival data were compared between both groups. RESULTS: In total 503 patients were identified, of whom 444 (88.3%) were followed up. Group 1 included 395 patients, and Group 2 had 49. In Group 1, IPMN-specific 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 100, 100, and 94.2%, respectively. Four patients died of associated or concomitant pancreatic cancer, and 230 patients (58.2%) experienced disease progression. The 1-, 4-, 10-year cumulative risk for progression and for surgery was 11.2, 70.6, 97.5, and 2.9, 26.2, 72.1%, respectively. In Group 2, the 1-, 5-, 10-year IPMN-specific survival rate was 90.7, 74.8, and 74.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the safety of surveillance for patients with IPMN who do not require surgery. However, the risk for disease progression and for surgery increases significantly over time. The study results support International and European guidelines not to discontinue IPMN surveillance and validate the European recommendation to intensify follow-up after 5 years. The fairly good prognosis of patients whose IPMN requires surgery but cannot undergo resection suggests a relatively indolent disease biology.

Cattell-Braasch maneuver combined with local hypothermia during superior mesenteric artery resection in pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUND: The recent development of new neo-adjuvant treatment regimens associated with a higher success rate of down-staging has increased the interest of pancreatic surgeons on the role of extended surgery for patients affected by locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Pancreatectomy together with resection of the portal/superior mesenteric vein is considered nowadays standard of care for patients affected by pancreatic cancer. However, the resection of major abdominal arteries is still debatable. In particular, the short- and long-term results after resection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) remain controversial and only few cases have been described in literature. The present paper describes a new, quick, and easy technique for resection of the SMA. CLINICAL CASE: A 71-year-old patient affected by IPMN cancer with infiltration of the SMA received FOLFIRINOX-based neo-adjuvant treatment. After 4 months of treatment, the patient underwent total pancreatectomy with en bloc resection of the SMA and direct end-to-end anastomosis. The vascular resection was performed combining a complete Cattell-Braasch maneuver with local bowel hypothermia in an attempt to avoid graft interposition by facilitating an end-to-end anastomosis and to reduce the warm ischemia time. The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged 8 days post-operatively.

T-Cell Therapy: Options for Infectious Diseases.

The emergence of drug-resistant tuberculosis is challenging tuberculosis control worldwide. In the absence of an effective vaccine to prevent primary infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and tuberculosis disease, host-directed therapies may offer therapeutic options, particularly for patients with multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis where prognosis is often limited. CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells mediate antigen-specific adaptive cellular immune responses. Their use in precision immunotherapy in clinical conditions, especially in treating cancer as well as for prevention of life-threatening viral infections in allogeneic transplant recipients, demonstrated safety and clinical efficacy. We review key achievements in T-cell therapy, including the use of recombinant immune recognition molecules (eg, T-cell receptors and CD19 chimeric antigen receptors), and discuss its potential in the clinical management of patients with drug-resistant and refractory tuberculosis failing conventional therapy.

Comparison of preoperative conference-based diagnosis with histology of cystic tumors of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic errors in the evaluation of cystic neoplasms of the pancreas (PCNs) are quite common. Few data are available regarding the impact of these errors on clinical management. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of a pancreatic multidisciplinary conference in diagnosing PCNs, to assess the potential risk of misdiagnosis, and to evaluate the clinical impact of these errors. METHODS: A retrospective consecutive series of patients undergoing surgery for PCNs at Karolinska University Hospital between 2004 and 2012 was analyzed. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 141 patients had undergone pancreatic resection for PCN. The overall accuracy of the preoperative diagnosis was 60.9 %. The rate of concordance between preoperative diagnosis and histology was similar for asymptomatic and symptomatic lesions (62.8 vs. 59.1 %; p = NS). The rate of correct diagnosis increased over time (54.5 % in 2004-2006, 61.7 % in 2007-2012, 63.5 % in 2010-2012). Univariate analysis identified the location of the lesion (diffuse pancreatic involvement) and a mucinous nature of the lesion as factors conducive to a correct diagnosis. Reevaluation of the original indication for surgery in light of the exact diagnosis showed that a surgical procedure should not have been performed in 12 patients (8.5 %). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that diagnostic errors are fairly common in the preoperative assessment of PCNs, but the errors are clinically relevant in <10 % of patients.

The use of LigaSure™ Does not Affect Histologic Margin Assessment in Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) specimens.

CONTEXT: LigaSure™ is considered safe in performing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). However, no data are available regarding the possible damage of tissues at the resection margins and the impact thereof on histologic margin assessment. OBJECTIVE: This study compares the degree of histologic damage to the resection margins when using LigaSure™ (Group 1) or traditional ligature (Group 2). METHODS: Both groups included 8 consecutive patients who underwent PD at Karolinska Institute in December 2013 (Group 1) or earlier (Group 2) by the same surgeon (M.D.C.). The quality of tissues at the circumferential margins was compared between both groups by scoring for three different kinds of damage: tissue fragmentation, hemorrhage, and cell damage. RESULTS: The mean score for fragmentation was 1.3 (Group 1) versus 1.7 (Group 2; P=0.1). For hemorrhage the mean score was 0.8 (Group 1) versus 1.5 (Group 2; P=0.04). The mean score for cell damage was 1.4 (Group 1) compared to 1.2 (Group 2; P=0.1). CONCLUSIONS: LigaSure™ does not cause tissue damage that could affect histologic margin assessment in PD specimens.