Kimura's vs Warshaw's technique for spleen preserving distal pancreatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of high-quality studies.

BACKGROUND: Spleen preserving distal pancreatectomy (SPDP) represents a widely adopted procedure in the presence of benign or low-grade malignant tumors. Splenic vessels preservation and resection (Kimura and Warshaw techniques respectively) represent the two main surgical modalities to avoid splenic resection. Each one is characterized by strengths and drawbacks. The aim of the present study is to systematically review the current high-quality evidence regarding these two techniques and analyze their short-term outcomes. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA, AMSTAR II and MOOSE guidelines. The primary endpoint was to assess the incidence of splenic infarction and splenic infarction leading to splenectomy. As secondary endpoints, specific intraoperative variables and postoperative complications were explored. Metaregression analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of general variables on specific outcomes. RESULTS: Seventeen high-quality studies were included in quantitative analysis. A significantly lower risk of splenic infarction for patients undergoing Kimura SPDP (OR = 0.14; p < 0.0001). Similarly, splenic vessel preservation was associated with a reduced risk of gastric varices (OR = 0.1; 95% p < 0.0001). Regarding all secondary outcome variables, no differences between the two techniques were noticed. Metaregression analysis failed to identify independent predictors of splenic infarction, blood loss, and operative time among general variables. CONCLUSIONS: Although Kimura and Warshaw SPDP have been demonstrated comparable for most of postoperative outcomes, the former resulted superior compared to the latter in reducing the risk of splenic infarction and gastric varices. For benign pancreatic tumors and low-grade malignancies Kimura SPDP may be preferred.

Radiological tumour invasion of splenic artery or vein in patients with pancreatic body or tail adenocarcinoma and effect on recurrence and survival.

BACKGROUND: Major vessel invasion is an important factor for determining the surgical approach and long-term prognosis for patients with pancreatic head cancer. However, clinical implications of vessel invasion have seldom been reported in pancreatic body or tail cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical relevance of splenic vessel invasion with pancreatic body or tail cancer compared with no invasion and investigate prognostic factors. METHODS: This study enrolled patients who underwent upfront distal pancreatectomy from 2005 to 2018. The circular degree of splenic vessel invasion was investigated and categorized into three groups (group 1, no invasion; group 2, 0-180°; group 3, 180° or more). Clinicopathological variables and perioperative and survival outcomes were evaluated, and multivariable Cox proportional analysis was performed to evaluate prognostic factors. RESULTS: Among 249 enrolled patients, tumour size was larger in patients with splenic vessel invasion (3.9 versus 2.9 cm, P = 0.001), but the number of metastatic lymph nodes was comparable to that in patients with no vessel invasion (1.7 versus 1.4, P = 0.241). The 5-year overall survival rates differed significantly between the three groups (group 1, 38.4 per cent; group 2, 16.8 per cent; group 3, 9.7 per cent, P < 0.001). Patients with both splenic artery and vein invasion had lower 5-year overall survival rates than those with one vessel (7.5 versus 20.2 per cent, P = 0.021). Cox proportional analysis revealed adjuvant treatment, R0 resection and splenic artery invasion as independent prognostic factors for adverse outcomes in pancreatic body or tail cancer. CONCLUSION: Splenic vessel invasion was associated with higher recurrence and lower overall survival in pancreatic body or tail cancers suggesting a need for a neoadjuvant approach.

Modern management of splenomegaly in patients with myelofibrosis.

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm which can lead to massive splenomegaly secondary to extramedullary hematopoiesis. Patients frequently exhibit debilitating symptoms including pain and early satiety, in addition to cellular sequestration causing severe cytopenias. JAK 1/2 inhibitors, such as ruxolitinib and fedratinib, are the mainstay of therapy and produce significant and durable reductions in spleen volume. However, many patients are not eligible for JAK 2 inhibitor therapy or become refractory to treatment over time. Novel therapies are in development that can reduce the degree of splenomegaly for some of these patients. However, splenectomy, splenic irradiation, and partial splenic artery embolization remain valuable therapeutic options in select patients. In this review, we will discuss currently available pharmacologic therapies and describe promising drugs currently in development. We will also delve into the efficacy and safety concerns of splenectomy, splenic irradiation, and partial splenic artery embolization. Finally, we will propose a treatment algorithm to help guide clinicians in the management of symptomatic splenomegaly in patients with MF.

Intermittent Splenic Artery Occlusion Plus Gauze Compression Is a Simple and Effective Treatment for Iatrogenic Splenic Injury.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of intermittent splenic artery occlusion plus gauze compression in treating iatrogenic splenic injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 12 iatrogenic splenic injury cases (grade I to III) treated with intermittent splenic artery occlusion plus gauze compression. The hemostatic effect was then observed after unblocking and decompression. The total operation time, gauze compression time, total blood loss, blood loss from the injured spleen, and platelet counts of each patient before and 1 week after surgery were noted. RESULTS The average operation time was 209.58±57.11 min, and the average gauze compression time after spleen artery occlusion was 23.75±4.33 min. The average total blood loss and blood loss due to iatrogenic spleen injury were 468.33±138.22 ml and 264.17±165.72 ml, respectively. Two cases (both grade I) had successful hemostasis after 15 min of splenic artery occlusion and wound compression. Another 9 cases (all grade II) and 1 case (grade III) attained hemostasis after 25 min and 30 min, respectively, of splenic artery occlusion and wound compression. The platelet counts of all patients were within the normal range before and 1 week after surgery. No postoperative complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS Intermittent splenic artery occlusion plus gauze compression is a simple and effective treatment for iatrogenic splenic injury.

Splenic artery blood flow as a potential marker for materno-fetal transmission of a primary CMV infection.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the blood flow in the splenic artery as marker for materno-fetal transmission at about 20 weeks following a maternal first-trimester primary CMV infection. METHODS: This is a retrospective study at the prenatal medicine unit at University of Tuebingen, Germany. Women were included who underwent an amniocentesis to examine the fetal infection status following a maternal primary CMV infection in the first trimester. In all cases, amniocentesis was done at about 20 weeks and at least 6 weeks after the maternal infection. As part of the detailed ultrasound examination prior to each amniocentesis, we examined the peak systolic velocity flow (PSV) and the pulsatility index (PI) of the splenic artery. Measurements were transformed into MoMs according to the normal curves of Ebbing et al. RESULTS: 81 Women fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Maternal and gestational age was 31.9 years and 20.6 weeks' gestation. Maternal-fetal transmission occurred in 13 of the cases. In fetuses without and with a CMV infection, mean PI was 0.98 MoM and 0.89 (p = 0.081). Mean PSV was significantly higher in the group of infected fetuses than in those without (1.24 vs. 0.94 MoM, p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: The PSV may be a marker for maternal-fetal CMV transmission following a first-trimester maternal infection.

Fatal spontaneous rupture of splenic artery aneurysm in third trimester pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: Unforeseen emergency in late pregnancy can be catastrophic and cause unexpected maternal and foetal demise. Moreover, lack of awareness and failure of prompt treatment raise mortality rate. Such fatalities warrant a forensic autopsy as it may raise redundant medico-legal concerns. CASE REPORT: We report a case that revealed significant intra-abdominal haemorrhage at autopsy. The source of haemorrhage was at the spleen hilum and histology established rupture of splenic artery aneurysm. There was no associated obstetric cause found. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of spontaneous rupture of splenic artery aneurysm in late pregnancy is essential for monitoring maternal and foetal, morbidity and mortality. However, in the eventuality of death a comprehensive forensic autopsy is the only investigation to recognise such calamity and clear clinical confusion.

Aneurysm of a splenic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery.About a case.

INTRODUCTION: Digestive arterial aneurysms are rare. The splenic artery aneurysm (SA) is the most common visceral artery aneurysm (60% of cases). The origin of SA from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is an exceptional anatomical variation. The rupture of this aneurysm leads to death in 10 to 25% of cases. OBSERVATION: This is a 40-year-old adult presenting with abdominal pain associated with fever. An abdominal ultrasound shows a vascular mass projecting into the celiac region. CT angiography shows an aneurysm of SA. The patient is operated on and benefits from selective ligation and resection of the aneurysm with preservation of the spleen. The nascent SA of the SMA has been respected. The immediate postoperative course was simple. The abdominal pain stopped. The patient was placed under medical supervision externally. CONCLUSION: These arterial aneurysms should be followed regularly and should be treated by conventional surgery or better by endovascular procedure when the technical means are available.

[Wirsungorrhagia in cystic mucinous pancreasic tumor]. / Virsungorragiia pri kistoznoi mutsinoznoi opukholi podzheludochnoi zhelezy.

A rare case of virsungorrhagia in a 65 y/o patient with a mucinous tumor of the tail of the pancreas is presented. Recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding was associated with an arrosis of the splenic artery adjacent to the tumor, which required a two-step treatment - endovascular occlusion of the splenic artery and distal resection of the pancreas.

[Splenic artery aneurysm masked by postcholecystectomy syndrome]. / Anevrizma selezenochnoi arterii pod maskoi postkholetsistéktomicheskogo sindroma.

Visceral artery aneurysms appear to belong to uncommon and potentially lethal vascular diseases. They are usually revealed accidentally during an ultrasonographic examination, magnetic resonance imaging, or computed tomography. Described in the article is a clinical case report concerning a sacciform aneurysm of the splenic artery, detected in a 53-year-old woman presenting with postcholecystectomy syndrome and followed up for abdominalgia by therapeutists and gastroenterologists. Timely performed radiodiagnosis (including multispiral computed tomography and angiography of the abdominal vessels) made it possible not only to detect the aneurysm, having thus verified the volumetric formation previously found on ultrasonographic examination, but to take adequate measures aimed at preventing rupture of the aneurysm and consisting in endovascular occlusion of the aneurysmatic cavity with metal spirals. Lack of complete clarity in the understanding of the mechanisms of the origin of and no distinctly defined therapeutic-and-diagnostic algorithm for visceral artery aneurysms dictate the necessity to continue collecting and generalizing clinical case reports regarding this rarely encountered vascular pathology.

Surgical Indications of Distal Pancreatectomy with Celiac Axis Resection for Pancreatic Body/Tail Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The survival impact of distal pancreatectomy (DP) with celiac axis resection for locally advanced pancreatic body/tail cancer remains unclear. METHODS: A total of 16 patients underwent DP with celiac axis resection, while 76 underwent standard DP for pancreatic body/tail cancer. The indications for DP with celiac axis resection included: (a) tumor invasion of either the celiac axis or common hepatic artery or both [CA/CHA (+)] and (b) tumor invasion of the root of the splenic artery, which is difficult to dissect without securing an adequate surgical margin [CA/CHA (-)]. RESULTS: DP with celiac axis resection presented longer operative time and greater amount of blood loss than DP. The median survival time was 17.5 months in the DP with celiac axis resection group and 43.1 months in the DP group (p = 0.040). Among the patients who underwent DP with celiac axis resection, the median survival time was 35.1 months in the CA/CHA (-) group and 13.2 months in the CA/CHA (+) group (p = 0.001). Comparing the patients undergoing standard DP and DP with celiac axis resection with a CA/CHA (-) status, there were no significant differences in either disease-free or overall survival times. The CA19-9 value, CA/CHA (+) status, and microscopic venous infiltration were revealed independent significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: DP with celiac axis resection should therefore be indicated in patients with a CA/CHA (-) status. However, it is difficult to justify the use of DP with celiac axis resection in patients with CA/CHA (+) status due to the poor survival.

Unusual branching pattern of celiac trunk associated with supernumerary hepatic arteries and abnormal adrenal venous drainage - case study and review of the literature.

Celiac artery (trunk) is one of the three major arteries which arise from abdominal aorta. It's variations not seem to be very uncommon. A routine dissection of a male cadaver at Department of Anatomy Jagiellonian University revealed unusual branching pattern of the celiac trunk with numerous supernumerary hepatic arteries. Additionally unusual venous drainage of the adrenal glands was found. A review of current literature has shown that a changed branching pattern may be important from clinical point of view, with special respect to endovascular procedures, laparoscopic surgery or radiology.

Surgical Treatment of Splenic Artery Pseudoaneurysm with Digestive Tract Communication - Presentation of Two Cases.

Splenopancreatectomy performed for pancreatic pseudo-cyst with splenic artery pseudo-aneurysm and communication with the digestive tract (stomach or colon) is a very rare indication and a small number of these procedures are described in literature. Managing peri-pancreatic pseudo-aneurysm is complex and can be challenging. Surgical treatment is of curative intent and can involve multiple visceral resections. Surgery can be performed in an emergency setting, if the patient presents cataclysmic bleeding, or in a planned manner if the pseudo-aneurysm is discovered incidentally or if the patient manages to overcome the initial bleeding. In this paper we present two cases of pancreatic pseudo-cysts with splenic artery pseudo-aneurysms and communication with the digestive tract (one with pseudo-cystic-colonic communication and the other one with gastric communication). Both patients were males, suffered from chronic pancreatitis and were known to have pancreatic pseudo-cysts. For the treatment of the first patient, surgery was performed in an elective setting, after intensive investigations. The other patient presented with cataclysmic bleeding and emergency surgery was performed in order to control the bleeding. We conclude that surgery remains the main option of treatment for these patients. It can be used as a first line of treatment or secondary to endovascular procedures.

[Observation on the efficacy of modified Appleby operation for carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the security, feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of modified Appleby operation for carcinoma of the body and tail of pancreas. METHODS: From March 2010 to February 2015 modified Appleby operation was performed in 17 patients with carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas. The biochemical indices of fasting plasma blood (FPB), body weight (BW), visual analogue pain intensity scale (VAS score) and the quality of life index were evaluated before and 1 day , 1, 2, 6weeks after surgery. Survival time, tumor recurrence time, hospitalization time and treatment-related complications were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no hospital mortality in this study. Pancreatic fistula and diarrhea were the major complications. The overall complication rate was 47.1%. The liver function index of ALT and AST were increased on postoperative day 1, and they were restored to normal after one week. Blood glucose has no obvious abnormal increase and abdominal pain was completely relieved. The VAS score decreased after surgery comparing with before (1.9±3.6 vs 83.2±8.5, P<0.05). Life quality assessment was significantly higher. The body weight of patients after surgery has a mean increment of (4.1±1.3)kg than that before surgery (68.1±4.3 vs 64.0±6.7, P<0.05). A significant rise of the overall quality of life index was observed after surgery (93.8±9.7 vs 68.6±6.7, P<0.05). The recurrence rates of 1, 2, 3 and 5 years were 22.9%, 58.9%, 72.6% and 72.6%, respectively. Median recurrence time was (20.0±3.8 m) (95%CI: 12.6-27.4 m). The survival rates of 1, 2, 3 and 5 years were 80.4%, 54.2%, 32.5% and 16.3%, respectively. The median survival time was (26.0±6.0)m (95%CI: 14.2-37.8 m). CONCLUSIONS: Modified Appleby operation for pancreatic cancer is safe and feasible. It can relieve abdominal pain, improve the quality of life, improve the survival rate and prolong the survival time.

[MORPHOLOGIC CHANGES OF INTRA- AND EXTRAPANCREATIC ARTERIES IN ELDERLY AND SENILE PATIENTS IN ACUTE NECROTIC PANCREATITIS].

In 38 elderly and senile patients, in whom an acute necrotic pancreatitis (ANP) was diagnosed, morphological changes in the walls of intra- and extrapancreatic arteries were studied, including dorsal pancreatic artery, big pancreatic artery (Heller) and their branches. The patients were operated, using open surgical access, on the 10 - 26-th day after admittance to hospital for purulent-septic complications of pancreonecrosis. In total 9 (24%) patients died. Changes of intra- and extrapancreatic arteries causes the essential reduction of the splanchnic blood flow intensity and necrotic changes in pancreatic parenchyma and parapancreatic cellular space.

[DIAGNOSIS OF VASCULAR INVASION BY PANCREATIC TUMORS].

Basing on analysis of own material (84 patients) and data of literature there was established, that vascular invasion by pancreatic tumors constitutes the main obstacle for conduction of the patients' radical treatment. Early diagnosis permits radical resectability of the patients, what constitutes the only one effective method of treatment. In vascular invasion by tumor a surgeon experience and professional preparation determines possibility of the extended operation performance with intervention on affected main vessel, enhancing the treatment radicalism.

Splenic Artery Aneurysm Invaded by Desmoid-Type Fibromatosis.

Despite the benign histologic appearance and negligible metastatic potential, desmoid tumors can be locally aggressive, invading into adjacent structures and organs. We report an unusual case of desmoid-type fibromatosis causing the death of an otherwise healthy individual by rupturing the splenic artery.

Postmortem Computed Tomography Findings in Ruptured Splenic Artery Aneurysm: Value of the Clinical "Sentinel Clot" Sign in Identification of Bleeding Location.

Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) scanning is a routine examination in the medicolegal death investigation of all deceased persons admitted to our institution. Postmortem computed tomography images deliver important information to the medicolegal death investigation process, may alleviate the need for conventional autopsy examination, or provide findings that can guide the performance of a subsequent postmortem examination. We present a case of hemoperitoneum arising from a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm. The case demonstrates how PMCT can strongly suggest the region of bleeding in the abdomen, may provide a provisional diagnosis, and guide the forensic pathologist before the formal autopsy examination, given the particular circumstances of a case, indicates a reasonable cause of death.

Aneurysm of Pancreatic Artery in Association with Celiac Axis Stenosis: Report of a Case and Review of the Literatures.

A 63-year-old Japanese woman with a history of pemphigus was referred to us for abnormal findings of dynamic abdominal CT where three aneurysms of splenic artery and pancreaticoduodenal artery, celiac axis compression, and gall stone. Superior mesenteric artery supplied hepatic arterial flow via pancreaticoduodenal artery. Avoiding transarterial embolization to prompt arterial ischemia of liver/pancreas head/duodenum, she laparotomically underwent cholecystectomy, splenectomy, transection of median arcurate ligament, and ligation of splenic and inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery all at once. Postoperative course was uneventful except drainage of abdominal abscess, and she remained well without aneurysm recurring 40 months post. Important point of treatment for pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm associated with celiac artery occlusion/stenosis is both preventive solutions for rupture of aneurysm and hepatic/duodenal/pancreatic arterial ischemia. Remaining main arterial supply for the liver via pancreaticoduodenal artery from superior mesenteric artery would prompt recurrent aneurysm of pancreaticoduodenal artery. When a clinician encounters a case of pancreatic aneurysm associated with celiac axis occlusion, the case should be treated using with multimodality such as interventional radiology, and vascular surgery.