Need for a targeted perioperative antibiotic treatment protocol for patients with preoperative biliary drainage undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the bacterobilia in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) based on whether they carry a preoperative biliary drainage or not and to analyse if a targeted perioperative antibiotic treatment based on the expected microbiology leads in no differences in Surgical Site Infections (SSI) between the groups. METHODS: Retrospective observational single-center study of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy with preoperative biliary stent (group P, Prosthesis) and without stent (group NP, No Prosthesis). Postoperative complications including SSI and its subtypes were analyzed after applying a targeted perioperative antibiotic treatment protocol with cefotaxime and metronidazole (group NP) and piperacillin-tazobactam (group P). RESULTS: Between January 2014 and December 2021, 127 patients were treated (84 in group NP and 43 in group P). Intraoperative cultures were positive in 16.7% (group NP) vs 76.7% (group P, p < 0.01). Microorganisms isolated in group NP included Enterobacterales (10.7%) and Enterococcus spp. (7.1%) with no Candida detected. In group P: Enterobacterales (51.2%), Enterococcus spp. (48.8%), and Candida (16.3%) were higher (p < 0.01%). No differences in morbidity and mortality were observed between the groups. SSI rate was 17.8% in group NP and 23.2% in group P (ns). CONCLUSION: Bacterobilia differs in patients with biliary drainage, showing a higher presence of Enterobacterales, Enterococcus spp., and Candida. There were no differences in SSI incidence after applying perioperative antibiotic treatment tailored to the expected microorganisms in each group. This raises the need to reconsider conventional surgical prophylaxis in patients with biliary stent.

Indocyanine green in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: utility and correlation with a preoperative risk score.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare the visualization of the cystic duct-common bile duct junction with indocyanine green (ICG) among 3 groups of patients divided according to the difficulty of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Conducted at a single center, this non-randomized, prospective, observational study encompassed 168 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy and were assessed with a preoperative risk score to predict difficult cholecystectomies, including clinical factors and radiological findings. Three groups were identified: low, moderate, and high risk. A dose of 0.25 mg of IV ICG was administered during anesthesia induction and the different objectives were evaluated. RESULTS: The visualization of the cystic duct-common bile duct junction was achieved in 28 (100%), 113 (91.1%), and 10 (63%) patients in the low, moderate, and high-risk groups, respectively. The high-risk group had longer total operative time, higher conversion, more complications and longer hospital stay. In the surgeon's subjective assessment, ICG was considered useful in 36% of the low-risk group, 58% in the moderate-risk group, and 69% in the high-risk group. Additionally, there were no cases where ICG modified the surgeon's surgical approach in the low-risk group, compared to 11% in the moderate-risk group and 25% in the high-risk group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm that in the case of difficult cholecystectomies, the visualization of the cystic duct-common bile duct junction is achieved in 63% of cases and prompts a modification of the surgical procedure in one out of four patients.

Usefulness of intraoperative bile culture in patients with acute calculous cholecystitis with previous biliary events: does the postoperative management change?

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to determine the usefulness of intraoperative gallbladder cultures in the postoperative course in surgically treated patients with acute calculous cholecystitis and previous biliary events (ACC-PBE). METHODS: Retrospective unicenter study on surgically treated ACC-patients between January 2014 and December 2018. Clinical benefit was defined as a > 20% change in postoperative antibiotic treatment. Secondary endpoints: postoperative morbidity and length-of-stay (LOS) in ACC-PBE patients with positive intraoperative biliary culture (IBC). Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: Out of the initial 711 patients, 203 met the study's inclusion criteria, with 139 of them having IBC results (72 positive, 67 negative). Our analysis revealed no significant difference in the incidence of positive-IBC between patients with ACC-PBE. Among this group, only 6% changed postoperative antibiotic treatment based on IBC results. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative complications (p: 0.21) or LOS (p: 0.23) in the ACC-PBE group. In multivariate analysis, age > 70 years old (p: 0.00; HR 3.1, 95% IC [1.6-6.4]), prior ERCP (p: 0.02; HR 5.9, 95% IC [1.25-27.5]) and prior antibiotic treatment (p: 0.01; HR 3.6, 95% IC [1.32-9.86]) were identified as independent factors that influenced PBC. CONCLUSIONS: IBC in operated ACC-PBE do not alter postoperative management. While positive-IBC was associated with age, prior ERCP, and prior antibiotic treatment, these findings did not have a significant impact on postoperative morbidity or LOS.

Laparoscopic and robotic distal pancreatectomy: the choice and the future.

INTRODUCTION: Distal pancreatectomy (DP) is currently well established as a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) procedure, using either a laparoscopic (LDP) or robotic (RDP) approach. METHODS: Out of 83 DP performed between January 2018 and March 2022, 57 cases (68.7%) were performed using MIS: 35 LDP and 22 RDP (da Vinci Xi). We have assessed the experience with the two techniques and analyzed the value of the robotic approach. Cases of conversion have been examined in detail. RESULTS: The mean operative times for LDP and RDP were 201.2 (SD 47.8) and 247.54 (SD 35.8) minutes, respectively (P = NS). No differences were observed in length of hospital stay or conversion rate: 6 (5-34) vs. 5.6 (5-22) days, and 4 (11.4%) vs. 3 (13.6%) cases, respectively (P = NS). The readmission rate was 3/35 patients (11.4%) treated with LDP and 6/22 (27.3%) cases of RDP (P = NS). There were no differences in morbidity (Dindo-Clavien ≥ III) between the two groups. Mortality was one case in the robotic group (a patient with early conversion due to vascular involvement). The rate of R0 resection was greater and statistically significant in the RDP group (77.1% vs. 90.9%) (P = .04). CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) is a safe and feasible procedure in selected patients. Surgical planning and stepwise implementation based on prior experience help surgeons successfully perform technically demanding procedures. RDP could be the approach of choice in distal pancreatectomy, and it is not inferior to LDP.

Venous resection in pancreatic oncologic surgery: Different techniques for different situations.

INTRODUCTION: To report the clinical results of patients with malignant pancreatic lesions who underwent oncological surgery with vascular resection. The type of intervention performed, types of vascular reconstruction, the pathological anatomy results, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and survival at 3 and 5 years were analyzed. METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional and comparative analysis. We include 41 patients with malignant pancreatic lesions who underwent surgery with vascular resection due to vascular involvement, from 2013 to 2021. RESULTS: The most performed surgery was pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure) using median laparotomy, in 35 out of the 41 patients (85%). One of the cases in the series was performed laparoscopically. Type 1 reconstruction (simple suture) was performed in 11 (27%) patients, type 2 in 4 (10%) cases, type 3 (end-to-end) in 23 (56%) cases, and type 4 reconstruction by autologous graft in 3 (7%) cases. The mean length of the resected venous segment was 21 (11-46) mm, and mean surgical time was 290 (220-360) minutes. 90% (37/41) were pancreatic adenocarcinoma. 83% were considered R0, and there was involvement in the resected vascular section in 41% of the cases. Four patients had Clavien Dindo morbidity >3, and there were no cases of postoperative mortality. Survival at 3 years was 48% and at 5 years 20%. CONCLUSIONS: The aggressive surgical treatment with venous resection in pancreatic malignant lesions to ensure R0 and its vascular reconstruction is a feasible technique, with an acceptable morbid-mortality rate and overall survival.

Long-term results of liver-first approach strategy in patients with advanced synchronous liver metastases from colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The "liver-first" approach (LFA) is a strategy indicated for advanced synchronous liver metastases (ASLM) from colorectal cancer (CRC). Includes neoadjuvant chemotherapy, resection of the ASLM followed by CRC resection. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive analysis from a prospective database of hepatectomies from liver metastases (LM) from CRC in two centers. Between 2007-2019, 88 patients with CRC-ASLM were included in a LFA scheme. Bilobar (LM) was present in 65.9%, the mean number of lesions was 5.5 and mean size 42.7 mm. Response to treatment was assessed by RECIST criteria. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. RESULTS: Seventy-five of 88 patients (85.2%) completed the LFA. RECIST evaluation showed partial response in 75.7% and stable disease in 22.8%. Severe morbidity rate (Clavien-Dindo ≥ IIIA) after liver and colorectal surgery was present in 29.4% and 9.3%, respectively. There was no 90-day postoperative mortality in both liver and colorectal surgeries. Recurrence rate was 76%, being the liver the most frequent site, followed by the pulmonary. From the total number of recurrences (106) in 56 patients, surgical with chemotherapy rescue treatment was accomplished in 34 of them (32.1%). The mean PFS was 8.5 and 5-year OS was 53%. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CRC-ASLM the LFA allows control of the liver disease beforehand and an assessment of the tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, optimising the chance of potentially curative liver resection, which influences long-term survival.

Highs and lows in laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is not widely accepted, and its use is controversial. Only correct patient selection and appropriate training of groups experienced in pancreatic surgery and laparoscopy will be able to establish its role and its hypothetical advantages. METHODS: Out of 138 pancreatic surgeries performed in a two-year period (2017-2019), 23 were laparoscopic PD. We evaluate its efficacy and safety compared to 31 open PD. RESULTS: There were no cases of B/C pancreatic or biliary fistula, nor any cases of delayed gastric emptying in the laparoscopic group, but hemorrhage required one reoperation. The conversion rate was 21% (five cases): one due to bleeding, and the remainder for non-progression. The converted patients showed no differences compared to those completed by laparoscopy. There were no differences between laparoscopic and open PD in surgical time, postoperative complications, reintervention rate, readmissions or mortality. R0 resection in tumor cases was 85% for laparoscopy and 69% in open surgery without statistical significance. The postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the laparoscopic PD group (eight vs. 15 days). CONCLUSIONS: In a selected group, laparoscopic PD can be safely and effectively performed if carried out by groups who are experts in pancreatic surgery and advanced laparoscopy. The technique has the same postoperative results as open surgery and is oncologically adequate, with less hospital stay. Proper patient selection, a step-by-step program and a lax and early conversion prevents serious operating accidents.

Laparoscopic Caudal Approach of the Inferior Vena Cava for Isolated Segment 1 Liver Resection.

INTRODUCTION: Isolated laparoscopic resection of the hepatic caudate lobe (segment 1) is a very challenging procedure. Very few references are available on this technique, and the aim of this paper is to show the main technical aspects of laparoscopic caudal approach for segment 1. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The subject was a 64-year-old woman with a past medical history of surgically treated breast cancer (pT1N0M0, with positive hormonal receptors). Adjuvant treatment was administered as well as radiotherapy and hormone therapy (tamoxifen). After 12 months of follow-up, an 18-mm single liver metastasis was detected in segment 1, suggestive of metastatic disease. A complementary study was conducted with magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and positron emission tomography, and no other lesions were identified. RESULTS: Isolated laparoscopic resection of segment 1 of the liver was performed with a caudal approach of the inferior vena cava. All the steps are extensively described. The surgery time was 120 min, and blood loss was less than 100 ml. No postoperative complications were registered. The patient was discharged on the third postoperative day. CONCLUSION: Isolated laparoscopic resection of the hepatic caudate lobe with a caudal approach of the inferior vena cava is a safe technique in selected patients and should be performed in centres with experience in liver surgery and advanced laparoscopy, because of its high complexity.

Highs and lows in laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy. / Luces y sombras de la duodenopancreatectomía cefálica laparoscópica.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is not widely accepted, and its use is controversial. Only correct patient selection and appropriate training of groups experienced in pancreatic surgery and laparoscopy will be able to establish its role and its hypothetical advantages METHODS: Out of 138 pancreatic surgeries performed in a two-year period (2017-2019), 23 were laparoscopic PD. We evaluate its efficacy and safety compared to 31 open PD. RESULTS: There were no cases of B/C pancreatic or biliary fistula, nor any cases of delayed gastric emptying in the laparoscopic group, but hemorrhage required one reoperation. The conversion rate was 21% (five cases): one due to bleeding, and the remainder for non-progression. The converted patients showed no differences compared to those completed by laparoscopy. There were no differences between laparoscopic and open PD in surgical time, postoperative complications, reintervention rate, readmissions or mortality. R0 resection in tumor cases was 85% for laparoscopy and 69% in open surgery without statistical significance. The postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the laparoscopic PD group (eight vs. 15 days). CONCLUSIONS: In a selected group, laparoscopic PD can be safely and effectively performed if carried out by groups who are experts in pancreatic surgery and advanced laparoscopy. The technique has the same postoperative results as open surgery and is oncologically adequate, with less hospital stay. Proper patient selection, a step-by-step program and a lax and early conversion prevents serious operating accidents.

Does the Artery-first Approach Improve the Rate of R0 Resection in Pancreatoduodenectomy?: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the rates of R0 resection in pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic and periampullary malignant tumors by means of standard (ST-PD) versus artery-first approach (AFA-PD). BACKGROUND: Standardized histological examination of PD specimens has shown that most pancreatic resections thought to be R0 resections are R1. "Artery-first approach" is a surgical technique characterized by meticulous dissection of arterial planes and clearing of retropancreatic tissue in an attempt to achieve a higher rate of R0. To date, studies comparing AFA-PD versus ST-PD are retrospective cohort or case-control studies. METHODS: A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in 10 University Hospitals (NCT02803814, ClinicalTrials.gov). Eligible patients were those who presented with pancreatic head adenocarcinoma and periampullary tumors (ampulloma, distal cholangiocarcinoma, duodenal adenocarcinoma). Assignment to each group (ST-PD or AFA-PD) was randomized by blocks and stratified by centers. The primary end-point was the rate of tumor-free resection margins (R0); secondary end-points were postoperative complications and mortality. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-nine patients were assessed for eligibility and 176 randomized. After exclusions, the final analysis included 75 ST-PD and 78 AFA-PD. R0 resection rates were 77.3% (95% CI: 68.4-87.4) with ST-PD and 67.9% (95% CI: 58.3-79.1) with AFA-PD, P=0.194. There were no significant differences in postoperative complication rates, overall 73.3% versus 67.9%, and perioperative mortality 4% versus 6.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Despite theoretical oncological advantages associated with AFA-PD and evidence coming from low-level studies, this multicenter, randomized, controlled trial has found no difference neither in R0 resection rates nor in postoperative complications in patients undergoing ST-PD versus AFA-PD for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma and other periampullary tumors.