Feasibility of pancreaticoduodenectomy in a nonuniversity tertiary care center: what are the key elements of success?

It is advocated that a favorable outcome for pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is related to a high volume at university centers. This article examines the specific elements that allow an equivalent outcome from PD in a nonuniversity tertiary care center (NUTCC). The study was performed to: (1) evaluate the outcome of PDs done at a NUTCC; (2) study the components of the process that are required to attain success in a NUTCC; and (3) provide a new look at the volume-outcome relationships in complex surgeries in a novel nonuniversity setting. Medical records of patients who underwent PD by a single surgeon between September 2005 and August 2008 at a high-volume NUTCC were analyzed. The records were reviewed with respect to preoperative and postoperative data, 30-day mortality, morbidity, and histopathology data. A total of 122 patients underwent PD. The mean age was 68.2 years. Jaundice was the most common presenting symptom in 57 per cent (69 patients). Thirty-nine patients (32%) underwent a pylorus-preserving PD. The mean operative time was 237 minutes. The mean estimated blood loss was 480 mL. The mean length hospital stay was 13 days. Thirty-day mortality was 3.2 per cent (four patients) and overall morbidity was 49 per cent. The key factors in developing a team dedicated to the care of the patient undergoing PD are discussed. A center of excellence can be developed in a NUTCC resulting in outcomes that meet and indeed may exceed nationally reported benchmarks. The key elements to success include a team approach to the patient undergoing PD.

Expanding the indications for laparoscopic gastric resection for gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic resection of large gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) has been controversial. This generally has been limited to small lesions. We hypothesize that laparoscopic mobilization and resection using, in some cases, extracorporeal anastomosis of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is an oncologically safe alternative to open surgery even when tumors are large. METHODS: Four patients underwent a laparoscopic approach for gastric GIST tumors >2 cm at Methodist Dallas Medical Center over a 6-month period. Patient demographics, operative findings, postoperative course, and pathologic characteristics were examined. RESULTS: The mean age in this patient group was 58 years (range, 36 to 77). Gastrointestinal bleeding and dyspepsia were the most common symptoms. Seventy-five percent of the patients were females. Mean tumor size was 10 cm (range, 2.5 to 20) with distribution in the stomach as follows: 75% greater curvature and 25% antrum. Tumors were removed by wedge, sleeve, and partial gastrectomies. Two of these tumors showed a high grade and the other 2 a moderate grade of differentiation. The number of mitoses was <5/50 HPF in all the tumors. No intraoperative spillage occurred in any patients, even with the largest tumor (20 cm). Importantly, all tumors were excised with a negative gross and microscopic margin. Average length of stay was 4 days. No patients required reoperation, and there were no complications postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive assisted approaches may be an option to treat large GIST tumors. Obeying principles of minimal touch, no spillage, and obtaining a negative margin, a safe operation with a laparoscopic approach is feasible, even in giant tumors. The large size of diagnosed GIST tumors should not preclude a minimally invasive approach.

Hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery: what is the right fellowship for the right training?

BACKGROUND: Reduced resident work hours over the last several years have led to inadequate exposure to hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) and complex upper gastrointestinal (UGI) surgical procedures. Therefore, residents are seeking additional training in this field. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of a new fellowship model in the training of general surgery residents in complex HPB/UGI diseases. METHODS: We propose a surgical training model in benign as well as malignant diseases of the UGI tract. The proposed model would focus on an integrated approach that involves allied specialties such as gastroenterology (GI) and radiology. RESULTS: The fellowship was set as 1-year duration with 1-month rotations on interventional GI and transplantation. The fellow spent the remaining 10 months on a UGI laparoscopic and open surgery service caring for complex benign and malignant disease of the esophagus, stomach, bile duct, pancreas, and liver. Didactic conferences were focused specifically at an organ-based approach to diseases of these organs. During a 12-month fellowship, exposure to complex diseases of the UGI tract was accomplished without negatively impacting the general surgery residency program. CONCLUSION: This new mode of advanced training provides a bridge between surgical oncology and transplantation, and it is an excellent model for postgraduate surgical training in UGI diseases.

Commitment, confirmation, and clearance: new techniques for nonradiation ERCP during pregnancy (with videos).

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic choledocholithiasis during pregnancy can be treated with ERCP, but fluoroscopy may pose a risk to the fetus. Nonradiation ERCP may be a safer form of treatment, but its performance has not been optimized. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate new methods of nonradiation ERCP during pregnancy, including wire-guided cannulation techniques to achieve bile-duct access without the use of fluoroscopy, and the use of peroral choledochoscopy to confirm ductal clearance. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of consecutive ERCPs performed on pregnant women. SETTING: Urban referral hospital. PATIENTS: Pregnant women with symptomatic choledocholithiasis. INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent therapeutic ERCP without any use of fluoroscopy. Endoscopist-controlled wire-guided cannulation was performed to achieve biliary access. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The rate of successful biliary cannulation and short-term outcomes. LIMITATIONS: ERCP procedures were performed by a single endoscopist. RESULTS: Successful bile-duct cannulation with sphincterotomy and the removal of biliary stones or sludge was performed without fluoroscopy in 21 pregnant women. There was one case of mild post-ERCP pancreatitis. Choledochoscopy confirmed ductal clearance in 5 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Nonradiation ERCP is a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic choledocholithiasis during pregnancy. Wire-guided biliary cannulation and choledochoscopy may enhance the performance of ERCP in this setting.

Endoscopic management of acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis represents numerous unique challenges to the practicing digestive disease specialist. Clinical presentations of acute pancreatitis vary from trivial pain to devastating acute illness with a significant risk of death. This article focuses on the diagnosis and endoscopic treatment of acute biliary pancreatitis.

Nodal sampling in pancreaticoduodenectomy: does it change our management?

BACKGROUND: Lymph node involvement in periampullary malignancy is the single most important factor in predicting survival in pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The role of nodal sampling in PD has not been well evaluated. This study evaluates the utility of nodal sampling of nodal stations 8 and 12, which are easily dissected early in PD, in overall final nodal status. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients underwent PD at a single institution by a one surgeon over a 15 month period. Nodal stations 8 and 12 were sent separately for pathologic evaluation. Twenty-eight patients had a final diagnosis of periampullary malignancy. Demographic and pathologic data were collected retrospectively from patient charts. Positive and negative predictive values of nodes 8 and 12 were evaluated. RESULTS: Eighteen of 28 patients with a diagnosis of periampullary malignancy had pathologically negative nodes 8 and 12, and a final nodal status (all peripancreatic lymph nodes) negative for nodal involvement. Nine of 28 patients had a negative nodal sampling result, but a positive final nodal status for metastatic tumor. The remaining four patients had both positive nodal sampling and final nodal status for metastatic tumor. The negative predictive value of negative nodes 8 and 12 was 0.625. CONCLUSION: The negative predictive of a negative node 8 and 12 of 0.625 suggests that the decision to proceed with or abort PD should not be based on intraoperative evaluation of these nodes. Performance of PD should be undertaken if technically feasible, and not based on intraoperative nodal assessment.

Cyst fluid analysis obtained by EUS-guided FNA in the evaluation of discrete cystic neoplasms of the pancreas: a prospective single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Accurate assessment of pancreatic cystic neoplasms is imperative before selecting available treatment options, such as surgical resection, drainage, or conservative therapy. Available modalities, CT and magnetic resonance imaging, have been inconsistent in diagnosis. Reports involving EUS and cyst fluid analysis have been encouraging, including studies of EUS features and/or cyst fluid analysis, which may differentiate pancreatic cystic neoplasms. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively determine cyst fluid characteristics that differentiate cystic neoplasms. DESIGN: Patient evaluation included (1) EUS features (reported elsewhere) and (2) cyst fluid analysis (carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA], carbohydrate antigen 19-9 [CA 19-9], amylase and lipase, viscosity [VIS], mucin stain, and cytology). Exclusion criteria included the following: intraductal papillary mucinous tumor lesions, bloody cyst aspirate, neuroendocrine tumors, and patients without surgical histopathology. SETTING: Pancreatic Biliary Center, St Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. PATIENTS: A total of 102 patients (60 women, 42 men; age, 23-76 years) presented for evaluation of pancreatic cystic neoplasm; 71 underwent surgical resection. RESULTS: Seventy-one of 102 patients who underwent surgery presented the following histopathologic correlates: 23 pseudocysts (PC), 13 serous cystadenoma (SCyA), 21 mucinous cystadenoma (MCyA), and 14 mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (MCyA-CA). Cyst fluid analysis of these patients showed the following: VIS was lower in PC (mean, 1.3) and SCyA (1.27) when compared with MCyA (1.84) and MCyA-CA (1.9). All mucinous neoplasms had VIS >1.6, whereas only 2 mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN) had VIS = 1.6 (both PC). The CEA level was significantly higher in MCyA (adenoma [878 ng/mL], carcinoma [27,581 ng/mL]) vs PC (189 ng/mL), and SCyA (121 ng/mL). Amylase levels were higher in PC (7210 U/L) compared with cystic neoplasm (SCyA, 679 U/L; MCyA, 1605 U/L; MCyA-CA, 569 U/L). CONCLUSIONS: Differential diagnosis of pancreatic cystic neoplasm is significantly enhanced by cyst fluid analysis. Elevated CEA (> or =480 ng/mL) and VIS (>1.6) accurately predict MCN from SCyA and PC. Malignant from benign MCN can be differentiated by CEA levels > or =6000 ng/mL.

Treatment of symptomatic distal common bile duct stenosis secondary to chronic pancreatitis: comparison of single vs. multiple simultaneous stents.

BACKGROUND: Common bile duct stenosis occurs in up to 30% of patients with chronic pancreatitis. Most such stenoses are found incidentally during ERCP, but others manifest as obstructive jaundice, recurrent cholangitis, secondary biliary cirrhosis, or choledocholithiasis. Operative drainage has been the main treatment despite the potentially high morbidity in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Endoscopic biliary drainage with a single stent has been successful in the short term. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term benefit of a single stent vs. multiple simultaneous stents for treatment of patients with chronic pancreatitis and symptoms because of distal common bile duct stenosis. METHODS: Twelve consecutive patients with chronic pancreatitis and common bile duct stenosis underwent endoscopic placement of multiple simultaneous stents and were followed prospectively (Group II). Results were compared with a group of 34 patients in whom a single stent was placed before the start of the present study (Group I). All 46 patients (35 men, 11 women; age range 30-71 years) had chronic pancreatitis and common bile duct stenosis, and presented with symptoms indicative of obstruction (abdominal pain, jaundice, elevated biochemical tests of liver function, acute pancreatitis, cholangitis). The 34 patients in Group I had single stent (10F, 7-9 cm) placement, with exchange at 3 to 6 month intervals (1-4 exchanges) over a mean of 21 months. The 12 patients in Group II underwent placement of multiple simultaneous stents at 3-month intervals (single 10F stents added sequentially) over a mean of 14 months. Mean follow-up was 4.2 years in Group I and 3.9 years for Group II. Factors assessed included symptoms, biochemical tests of liver function, diameter of common bile duct stenosis, and complications. RESULTS: In Group I, (34 patients), a total of 162 single stent placement/exchanges were performed (mean 5/patient). In Group II (12 consecutive patients), 8 patients had 4 (10F) stents placed simultaneously, and 4 patients had 5 (10F) stents. At the end of the treatment period, near normalization of biochemical tests of liver function was observed for all patients in Group II, whereas only marginal benefit was noted for patients in Group I. Four patients in Group I had recurrent cholangitis (6 episodes), whereas no patient in Group II had post-procedure cholangitis. In the 12 patients with multiple stents, distal common bile duct stenosis diameter increased from a mean of 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm after treatment; no change in diameter was noted in patients treated with a single stent. CONCLUSIONS: Distal common bile duct stenosis secondary to chronic pancreatitis can be treated long term by stent placement. Multiple, simultaneous stents appear to be superior to single stent placement and may provide good long-term benefit. The former resulted in near normalization of biochemical tests of liver function and an increase in distal common bile duct diameter. Multiple stent placement may obviate the need for surgical diversion procedures.

Endoscopic transpancreatic papillary septotomy for inaccessible obstructed bile ducts: Comparison with standard pre-cut papillotomy.

BACKGROUND: Access to the pancreatic or the bile duct is paramount to the success of diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP. Selective cannulation may be difficult because of the small size of the papilla and anatomic factors such as peripapillary diverticulum and gastrectomy with Billroth-II anastomosis. Currently, one of the techniques for gaining access in such cases is the pre-cut technique with a catheter that has a thin wire at the tip (needle knife). A less well-described pre-cut technique involves initial cannulation of the pancreatic duct with a "traction-type" papillotome and then incision through the "septum" toward the bile duct. The aim of this randomized trial was to compare the success and the complication rates of needle-knife sphincterotomy and transpancreatic sphincterotomy in achieving cannulation of an otherwise inaccessible bile duct. METHODS: Sixty-three consecutive patients with inaccessible bile ducts underwent pre-cut sphincterotomy either by needle-knife sphincterotomy (n = 34) or transpancreatic septotomy (n = 29). In patients with an accessible pancreatic duct who undergo needle-knife sphincterotomy, a short (2-3 cm) stent (5F-7F) was placed in the pancreatic duct to act as a guide and to reduce the risk of post-procedure pancreatitis. All patients were hospitalized overnight for observation after pre-cut sphincterotomy. The outcomes measured were success rate and complications. Indications for pre-cut sphincterotomy were the following: suspected choledocholithiasis, 11 patients (17.5%); obstructive jaundice with negative CT findings, 19 patients (29.2%), or with positive CT findings, 13 patients (20.6%); abdominal pain with elevated biochemical tests of liver function, 15 patients (23.8%); and miscellaneous, 5 patients (7.9%). RESULTS: In 55 of 63 (87%) patients, the bile duct was selectively cannulated after pre-cut sphincterotomy. On a pre-protocol basis, the bile duct was cannulated in 29 of 29 (100%) patients randomized to transpancreatic septotomy sphincterotomy and 26 of 34 (77%) patients who underwent needle-knife sphincterotomy (p = 0.01). There were 7 complications, including bleeding (n = 2) and acute pancreatitis (n = 5). Complications were less frequent in the transpancreatic septotomy sphincterotomy group (1/29; 3.5%) compared with the needle-knife sphincterotomy group (6/34; 17.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Transpancreatic pre-cut sphincterotomy can be performed with a high degree of success in patients with inaccessible obstructed bile ducts. Compared with standard needle-knife sphincterotomy, transpancreatic septotomy sphincterotomy has a significantly higher rate of bile duct cannulation and a lower complication rate.

Endoscopic management of adenoma of the major duodenal papilla.

BACKGROUND: It is well established that adenoma of the major duodenal papilla has a potential for malignant transformation. Standard treatment has been surgical (duodenotomy/local resection, pancreaticoduodenectomy). Endoscopic management is described, but there is no established consensus regarding the approach to papillectomy or the need for surveillance. This study describes endoscopic management and long-term follow-up of papillary tumors by 4 groups of expert pancreaticobiliary endoscopists. METHODS: Consecutive patients with papillary tumors referred to 4 pancreaticobiliary endoscopy centers for evaluation for endoscopic papillectomy were reviewed. For each patient, an extensive questionnaire was completed, which included 19 preoperative and 15 postoperative data points. A total of 103 patients (53 women, 50 men, age range 24-93) who underwent attempted endoscopic resection were included. Of these, 72 had sporadic adenoma, and the remaining patients had familial adenomatous polyposis, including Gardner's variant. Presenting symptoms were jaundice/cholangitis/pain (n=59), pancreatitis (n=18), and bleeding (n=12). Twenty-six patients were asymptomatic. RESULTS: Endoscopic treatment was successful, long term, in 83 patients (80%) and failed (initial failure or recurrent tumor) in 20 (20%) patients. Success was significantly associated with older age (54.7 [16.6] vs. 46.6 [21.7] years; p=0.08) and smaller lesions (21.1 [8.3] vs. 29.7 [7.2] mm; p<0.0001). Success rate was higher for sporadic lesions compared with genetically determined lesions (63 of 72 [86%] vs. 20 of 31 [67%]; p=0.02). There were 10 initial failures, which was more common for sporadic lesions (7 of 10). The overall success rate for papillectomy was similar in patients who had adjuvant thermal ablation (81%) compared with those who did not (78%). However, recurrence (n=10) was more common in the former group (9 of 10, [90%]; p=0.22). Complications (n=10) included acute pancreatitis (n=5), bleeding (n=2), and late papillary stenosis (n=3). Acute pancreatitis was more common in patients who did not have pancreatic duct stents placed (17% vs. 3.3%). Papillary stenosis was more frequent without short-term pancreatic duct stent placement (15.4% vs. 1.1%), although the difference was not statistically significant, because this complication was infrequent. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment of papillary adenoma in selected patients appears to be highly successful. The majority can undergo complete resection after ERCP. In expert hands, complications are infrequent and may be avoided by routine placement of a pancreatic duct stent.

Incomplete response to endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction: evidence for a chronic pain disorder.

OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of endoscopic treatment of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) with endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) remains controversial. Although some studies have shown a positive impact on patient symptoms after treatment, these reports have been largely qualitative and evaluated on short-term response. The aim of our study was to quantitatively measure the long-term outcomes of endoscopic therapy in patients with SOD. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with suspected SOD underwent selective sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) of the biliary and/or pancreatic sphincter. Each patient completed a telephone-based survey measuring symptomatic pain before and after SOM +/- ES. The questioner was blinded to the results of SOM. The patients with normal SOM or SOD but who did not undergo ES served as controls. RESULTS: Of these 33 patients (27 women, mean age 48.7 yr, range 13-74), 19 (57.5%) were found to have SOD (12 biliary, six pancreatic, one both). The average follow-up was 18.1 months (range 7-34). Of the patients with SOD, 17 (89%) underwent ES. At follow-up of the 19 patients undergoing ES, five were taking narcotics for persistent pain, two were taking antidepressants, and 15 identified the endoscopic therapy as the reason for their relief. Of the 14 controls, seven were taking narcotics, seven were taking antidepressants, and two identified the endoscopy as the reason for their relief; some patients were taking both antidepressants and narcotics. CONCLUSIONS: Patients found to have SOD who undergo ES are more likely to be improved on long-term follow-up when compared with patients with suspected SOD but normal manometry without ES. However, almost uniformly, despite ES, patients continue to have pain, which is consistent with most chronic pain disorders and which suggests a multifactorial cause for the pain.

Prevalence of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction: can results from specialized centers be generalized?

Recent studies suggest a high prevalence of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) in patients referred to specialized centers for sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM). Whether these results can be generalized to other centers is unknown. From September 1998 to April 2000, patients undergoing SOM were prospectively identified. Patients were classified as having either biliary or pancreatic SOD, according to the modified Milwaukee classification, and underwent SOM of either the biliary or pancreatic sphincter based on clinical history. SOD was diagnosed when the mean basal sphincter pressure was >40 mm Hg. Standard cholangiography and/or pancreatography were performed following manometry. Fifty-one patients were studied (43 women, median age 46 years, range 7-74 years). Prior to SOM, patients were classified by the modified Milwaukee classification as biliary type I in 1 patient, type II in 8, and type III in 20; pancreatic type I in 4 patients, type II in 14, and type III in 3; and biliary type III and pancreatic type III in 1 patient. Indications for SOM included abdominal pain in 35 patients (69%), recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis in 12 (24%), chronic pancreatitis in 3 (7%), and acute pancreatitis in 1 (2%). Overall, 30 patients (59%; 95% CI 41.1-76.9%) were found to have SOD; abnormal biliary sphincter pressure in 16 of 29 patients (55%) undergoing biliary manometry, and abnormal pancreatic sphincter pressures in 14 of 21 patients (67%) undergoing pancreatic sphincter manometry, and abnormal biliary and pancreatic sphincter pressures in 1. SOD was diagnosed in 1 biliary type I patient (100%), 4 type II patients (50%), and 11 type III patients (52.4%) with a mean pressures of 92, 47, and 80 mm Hg, respectively. SOD was identified in 4 pancreatic type I patients (100%), 7 type II patients (50%), and 3 type III patients (100%) with mean sphincter pressures of 83 mm Hg, 96 mm Hg, and 102 mm Hg, respectively. In conclusion, the prevalence of SOD in patients with suspected biliary disease was 55%, suspected pancreatic disease 66%, yielding an overall prevalence of SOD of 59%. These results confirm the high prevalence of SOD in patients referred for SOM.