Metabolic tumor burden as a prognostic indicator after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: There is no standardized assessment for evaluating response although neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAT) is widely accepted for borderline resectable or locally advanced pancreatic cancer (BRPC or LAPC). This study was aimed to evaluate NAT response using positron emission tomography with 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-D-glucose ( 18 F-FDG-PET/CT) parameters alongside carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 levels. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery after NAT for BRPC and LAPC between 2017 and 2021 were identified. The study assessed the prognostic value of PET-derived parameters after NAT, determining cutoff values using the K-adaptive partitioning method. It created four groups based on the elevation or normalization of PET parameters and CA19-9 levels, comparing survival between these groups. RESULTS: Of 200 eligible patients, FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine-based NAT were administered in 167 and 34 patients, respectively (mean NAT cycles, 8.3). In a multivariate analysis, metabolic tumor volume (MTV) demonstrated the most robust performance in assessing response (HR 3.11, 95% CI 1.73-5.58, P <0.001) based on cut-off value of 2.4. Patients with decreased MTV had significantly better survival than those with elevated MTV among individuals with CA19-9 levels <37 IU/L (median survival; 35.5 vs. 20.9 mo, P <0.001) and CA19-9 levels ≥37 IU/L (median survival; 34.3 vs. 17.8 mo, P =0.03). In patients suspected to be Lewis antigen negative, predictive performance of MTV was found to be limited ( P =0.84). CONCLUSION: Elevated MTV is an influential prognostic factor for worse survival, regardless of post-NAT CA19-9 levels. These results could be helpful in identifying patients with a poor prognosis despite normalization of CA19-9 levels after NAT.

Clinical outcomes of second-line therapy following disease progression on first-line modified FOLFIRINOX for borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Modified FOLFIRINOX (mFOLFIRINOX) is one of the standard first-line therapies in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) and locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer (LAPC). However, there is no globally accepted second-line therapy following progression on mFOLFIRINOX. METHODS: Patients with BRPC and LAPC (n = 647) treated with first-line mFOLFIRINOX between January 2017 and December 2020 were included in this retrospective analysis. The details of the treatment outcomes and patterns of subsequent therapy after mFOLFIRINOX were reviewed. RESULTS: With a median follow-up duration of 44.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 42.3-47.6), 322 patients exhibited disease progression on mFOLFIRINOX-locoregional progression only in 177 patients (55.0%) and distant metastasis in 145 patients (45.0%). The locoregional progression group demonstrated significantly longer post-progression survival (PPS) than that of the distant metastasis group (10.1 vs. 7.3 months, p = 0.002). In the locoregional progression group, survival outcomes did not differ between second-line chemoradiation/radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy (progression-free survival with second-line therapy [PFS-2], 3.2 vs. 4.3 months; p = 0.649; PPS, 10.7 vs. 10.2 months; p = 0.791). In patients who received second-line systemic chemotherapy following progression on mFOLFIRINOX (n = 211), gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel was associated with better disease control rates (69.2% vs. 42.3%, p = 0.005) and PFS-2 (3.8 vs. 1.7 months, p = 0.035) than gemcitabine monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The current study showed the real-world practice pattern of subsequent therapy and clinical outcomes following progression on first-line mFOLFIRINOX in BRPC and LAPC. Further investigation is necessary to establish the optimal therapy after failure of mFOLFIRINOX.

Clinical implication of the geometric location (fundal end versus cystic ductal end) of gallbladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Management of early-stage gallbladder cancer is becoming more important as the rate of early detection is increasing. Although there have been many studies about the clinical implication of the invasion depth or peritoneal/hepatic location of gallbladder cancers, there is no study on the clinical implication of the geometric location of cancer along the longitudinal length of the gallbladder. METHODS: The location of gallbladder cancer was defined as the geometric center of the primary site of a tumour, which lies on the longitudinal diameter of the surgical specimens. We compared the oncologic outcomes following surgery between gallbladder cancers located on the fundal end and those located on the cystic ductal end. We also analysed patients with stage 1 gallbladder cancer who recurred after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 575 patients with gallbladder cancer were included in this study. Patients with gallbladder cancer on the cystic ductal end had significantly lower rates of recurrence-free survival (P = 0.016) and overall survival (P = 0.023) compared to those with gallbladder cancer on the fundal end. Among 90 patients with stage 1 gallbladder cancer, three patients had a recurrence, all of whom had cystic ductal end gallbladder cancer and showed cystic duct invasion or concomitant xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis in permanent pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Gallbladder cancers on the cystic ductal end had worse postoperative oncologic outcomes compared with those on the fundal end.

Comparison of Surgical Outcomes of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery in Adult Choledochal Cysts.

Background: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for cyst excision and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) is widely performed for adult choledochal cysts. Few articles compared the robotic and laparoscopic approaches for choledochal cysts. Methods: Between 2014 and 2022, 157 patients who underwent MIS for choledochal cysts were retrospectively analyzed. Perioperative outcomes of patients who underwent totally robotic surgery, robot-assisted surgery, and laparoscopic surgery were compared, respectively. Also, postoperative outcomes of patients with robotic reconstruction and laparoscopic reconstruction during HJ were compared. Results: Perioperative outcomes were comparable between robotic and laparoscopic groups. The suturing technique for the anterior and posterior walls of the HJ differed significantly between the robotic and laparoscopic reconstruction groups (P = .001). However, there were no significant differences in postoperative outcomes, including total complications (P = .304), major complications (P = .411), and postoperative interventions (P = .411), between the two groups. Conclusions: The robotic and laparoscopic approaches for adult choledochal cysts have comparable surgical outcomes. In the MIS era, robotic surgery could be an alternative surgical option for adult choledochal cysts.

Evaluation of postoperative outcomes of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy for left-sided pancreatic tumors based on the modified frailty index: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This study compared the postoperative outcomes of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) for left-sided pancreatic tumors based on the modified frailty index (mFI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 2212 patients who underwent MIDP for left-sided pancreatic tumors between 2005 and 2019. Postoperative outcomes, including complications (morbidity and mortality), were analyzed using mFI, and the participants were divided into two groups: frail ( n =79) and nonfrail ( n =2133). A subanalysis of 495 MIDPs for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma was conducted to compare oncological outcomes. RESULTS: Clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula was significantly higher in the frail group than in the nonfrail group. A significant between-group difference was observed in overall complications with Clavien-Dindo classification grade ≥III. Furthermore, the proportion of all complications before readmission was higher in the frail group than in the nonfrail group. Among all readmitted patients, the frail group had a higher number of grade ≥IV patients requiring ICU treatment. The frail group's 90-day mortality was 1.3%; the difference was statistically significant (nonfrail: 0.3%, P =0.021). In the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, mFI ≥0.27 (odds ratio 3.231, 95% CI: 1.889-5.523, P <0.001), extended pancreatectomy, BMI ≥30 kg/m 2 , male sex, and malignancy were risk factors for Clavien-Dindo classification grade ≥III. CONCLUSION: mFI is a potential preoperative tool for predicting severe postoperative complications, including mortality, in patients who have undergone MIDP for left-sided tumors.

Outcomes of Distal Pancreatectomy With Celiac Axis Resection for Pancreatic Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to show the clinical and oncologic outcomes of distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection (DP-CAR) from a high-volume single center and analyze them from diverse perspectives. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with pancreatic body and tail cancer with celiac axis involvement who underwent DP-CAR were included in the study. The primary outcome was morbidity and 90-day mortality, and the secondary outcome was overall survival and disease-free survival. RESULTS: Morbidity (Clavien-Dindo classification grade ≥3) occurred in 12 patients (25.0%). Thirteen patients (27.1%) had pancreatic fistula grade B and 3 patients (6.3%) had delayed gastric emptying. The 90-day mortality was 2.1% (n = 1). The median overall survival was 25.5 months (interquartile range, 12.3-37.5 months) and median disease-free survival was 7.5 months (interquartile range, 4.0-17.0 months). During the follow-up period, 29.2% of participants survived for up to 3 years and 6.3% survived for up to 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its associated morbidity and mortality, DP-CAR should be considered as the only therapeutic option for pancreatic body and tail cancer with celiac axis involvement when carried out on carefully selected patients performed by a highly experienced group.

Survival Benefit of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Who Underwent Surgery Following Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX.

PURPOSE: The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy following curative-intent surgery in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients who had received neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX is unclear. This study aimed to assess the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in this patient population. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 218 patients with localized non-metastatic PDAC who received neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX and underwent curative-intent surgery (R0 or R1) between January 2017 and December 2020. The association of adjuvant chemotherapy with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was evaluated in overall patients and in the propensity score matched (PSM) cohort. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to the pathology-proven lymph node status. RESULTS: Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 149 patients (68.3%). In the overall cohort, the adjuvant chemotherapy group had significantly improved DFS and OS compared to the observation group (DFS: median, 13.8 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 11.0 to 19.1] vs. 8.2 months [95% CI, 6.5 to 12.0]; p < 0.001; and OS: median, 38.0 months [95% CI, 32.2 to not assessable] vs. 25.7 months [95% CI, 18.3 to not assessable]; p=0.005). In the PSM cohort of 57 matched pairs of patients, DFS and OS were better in the adjuvant chemotherapy group than in the observation group (p < 0.001 and p=0.038, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy was a significant favorable prognostic factor (vs. observation; DFS: hazard ratio [HR], 0.51 [95% CI, 0.36 to 0.71; p < 0.001]; OS: HR, 0.45 [95% CI, 0.29 to 0.71; p < 0.001]). CONCLUSION: Among PDAC patients who underwent surgery following neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX, adjuvant chemotherapy may be associated with improved survival. Randomized studies should be conducted to validate this finding.

Laparoscopic versus open pancreaticoduodenectomy with major vein resection for pancreatic head cancer.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with major vein resection is a challenging procedure. Herein, we evaluated the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic vein resection in pancreatic head cancer with portal vein/superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV) invasion, and compared the survival rate following laparoscopic surgery with that following open surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of all patients with pancreatic head cancer who underwent surgery performed by a single surgeon from January 2015 to December 2017. Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to compare the disease-free survival, while Cox-proportional hazard models were used to analyze prognostic factors for survival. RESULTS: Among 76 patients, 63 underwent open PD and 13 underwent laparoscopic PD with PV/SMV resection. There was no significant difference in the rate of complications, including portal vein stenosis and portal vein thrombus, recurrence of tumors, or pathological outcomes after surgery between the groups. There was also no significant difference in disease-free survival (p = .803) between the two groups. Additionally, the surgical method was not an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic PD with major vein resection can be feasibly performed in select patients with abutment and focal narrowing of the PV/SMV in pancreatic head cancer.

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: Three case reports and a literature review.

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma is defined as a tumor with a mixture of adenocarcinoma components and neuroendocrine neoplasm components. Each of these two components of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma accounts for at least 30% of all tumors. Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma might be located in the ampulla of Vater, a very rare location compared to other organs. Thus, its treatment and prognosis plans have not been established yet. We report three cases of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma occurring in the ampulla of Vater. Each patient had a different clinical course. In general, difficulty in preoperative diagnosis, risk of early recurrence, and poor disease course were main hallmarks of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma arising from the ampulla of Vater. However, one patient in this case report survived although she did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy due to her old age. Therefore, it is important to establish a careful treatment strategy for mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma arising from the ampulla of Vater.

Robotic versus laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgery is becoming increasingly popular in the field of pancreatic surgery. However, there are few studies of robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of RDP for PDAC. METHODS: Patients who underwent RDP or laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) for PDAC between January 2015 and September 2020 were reviewed. Propensity score matching analyses were performed. RESULTS: Of the 335 patients included in the study, 24 underwent RDP and 311 underwent LDP. A total of 21 RDP patients were matched 1:1 with LDP patients. RDP was associated with longer operative time (209.7 vs. 163.2 min; P = 0.003), lower open conversion rate (0% vs. 4.8%; P < 0.001), higher cost (15 722 vs. 12 699 dollars; P = 0.003), and a higher rate of achievement of an R0 resection margin (90.5% vs. 61.9%; P = 0.042). However, postoperative pancreatic fistula grade B or C showed no significant inter-group difference (9.5% vs. 9.5%). The median disease-free survival (34.5 vs. 17.3 months; P = 0.588) and overall survival (37.7 vs. 21.9 months; P = 0.171) were comparable between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: RDP is associated with longer operative time, a higher cost of surgery, and a higher likelihood of achieving R0 margins than LDP.

Minimally invasive versus open pancreaticoduodenectomy for distal bile duct cancer: an inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis of outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (MIPD) has been extended to periampullary cancers, but the oncologic outcome of MIPD for distal bile duct cancer (DBDC) has not been confirmed yet. METHODS: Patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for DBDC of stage I-IIb from 2015 to 2019 at a tertiary referral center were identified and divided into open PD (OPD) and MIPD groups, the latter including laparoscopic and robotic procedures. Survival was compared between the two groups after inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) using predetermined factors, and exploratory mediation analysis was performed using surgery-derived outcomes. RESULTS: MIPD (n = 81) group had more female patients (46.9% vs 31.6%, p = 0.011) and longer operation time (366.2 min vs. 279.1 min, p < 0.001) than the OPD (n = 288) group before IPTW. Otherwise, intraoperative and immediate postoperative outcomes were comparable between the two groups. In oncologic outcomes, MIPD group showed comparable 3-year overall survival (78.2% vs 75.0%, p = 0.062) and recurrence-free survival (51.2% vs 53.4%, p = 0.871) rates with OPD group before IPTW, and MIPD was not related with survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29-1.26, p = 0.18) and recurrence (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.67-1.53, p = 0.949) after IPTW with consideration of potential mediators. Sensitivity analysis using propensity score matching also showed similar results for survival (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.32-1.44, p = 0.312) and recurrence (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.67-1.88, p = 0.653). CONCLUSION: MIPD and OPD groups showed similar postoperative and oncologic outcomes. MIPD could be a considerable treatment option without oncological compromise in high-volume centers.

Impact of radiologic splenic vessel invasion in resectable left-sided pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: predictor of early systemic recurrence following upfront surgery.

Background: The aim of this study is to identify prognostic factors and the best candidates for neoadjuvant therapy among patients with resectable left-sided pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) by analyzing the timing and pattern of recurrence following upfront surgery. Methods: This single-center retrospective study included patients with resectable left-sided PDAC who underwent upfront distal pancreatectomy from 2005 to 2015. A minimum P value approach was used to evaluate the optimal cutoff of early recurrence. The predictors of recurrence were assessed with Cox regression analysis. Results: Among 311 included patients, 241 (77.5%) had a recurrence at a median follow-up of 29.3 months. Systemic recurrence occurred in 194 patients (80.5%) and isolated local recurrence in 47 patients (19.5%). A recurrence-free survival cutoff of 12 months was selected to distinguish between early and late recurrence. The patients with early recurrence had a shorter median overall survival (16.1 vs. 39.9 months, P<0.001) and post-recurrence survival (9.6 vs. 17.2 months, P<0.001) than those with late recurrence. The patients with systemic recurrence had a shorter median overall survival (19.6 vs. 29.1 months, P=0.007) and post-recurrence survival (11.0 vs. 15.3 months, P=0.024) than those with an isolated local recurrence. In multivariable analysis, preoperative CA 19-9 ≥500 U/mL [odd ratio (OR) 2.037, P=0.035], radiologic splenic vessels invasion (OR 5.014, P<0.001), positive radial resection margin (OR 2.638, P<0.001), and no adjuvant chemotherapy (OR 2.084, P=0.001) were predictors of an early systemic recurrence. Conclusions: Radiologic splenic vessels invasion may be considered to indicate a biologically borderline status in patients with anatomically resectable left-sided PDAC. Future clinical trials of neoadjuvant therapy targeting these patients should be conducted.

The impact of pylorus preservation on the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease after pancreaticoduodenectomy: A historical cohort study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The pathophysiology and associated factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remain elusive. We aimed to investigate these factors, including the operation type, for NAFLD development after PD. METHODS: This historical cohort study included 786 consecutive patients treated with either classic Whipple operation or pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) in Korea between 2012 and 2018. De novo NAFLD was determined based on hepatic attenuation in nonenhanced computed tomography during follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 786 patients, 216 (27.5%) had a newly developed NAFLD at 2 years after PD. The incidences of newly developed NAFLD at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 years were 13 (1.7%), 41 (5.2%), 48 (6.1%), and 114 (14.5%), respectively. The Whipple group showed a significantly higher incidence of NAFLD than the PPPD group (40.3% vs 24.5%, P < .001). Seventeen patients (2.2%) had severe fatty liver with abnormal liver enzymes. Multivariable analysis revealed that Whipple operation (vs PPPD; adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.92, P < .001) and high preoperative body mass index (vs normal; AOR: 1.71, P = .001) were independently associated with a higher risk of NAFLD. CONCLUSION: The incidence of NAFLD was 27.5% at 2 years after PD. Undergoing Whipple operation and high preoperative body mass index were significantly associated with de novo NAFLD development.

Minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy: Chronologic changes in the trends and clinical outcomes through a 15-year, single-center experience with 2212 patients.

BACKGROUND: We identified the chronologic changes in the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) for left-sided pancreatic tumors in a single high-volume center over a period of 15 years. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2019, 2212 patients underwent planned MIDP. Chronologic changes were analyzed according to 5-year intervals (P1, P2, P3). Furthermore, we assessed the prognostic factors of open conversion and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy has steadily increased during the last 15 years when compared to open distal pancreatectomy, from 10.8% to 84.9%. Also, MIDP for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been steadily increasing from 5.6% to 68.4%. According to the 5-year intervals, lengths of hospital stay decreased, but age and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) ≥3 increased; conversely, the rates of Clavien-Dindo classification ≥grade 3 (9.5%) and postoperative pancreatic fistula (39.7%) showed no differences. The 90-day mortality and open conversion rates were 0.2% and 3.5%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed malignancy and extended pancreatectomy were risk factors for open conversion. Furthermore, the poor prognostic factors for severe complications were malignancy, extended pancreatectomy, and ASA ≥3. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy has become a popular procedure not only for benign cases but also for malignant ones. However, well-organized training, experience and skill are necessary, especially for poor-performance patients and extensively malignant conditions.

Controversial benefit of 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin-based adjuvant chemotherapy for ampullary cancer: a propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although surgery is the primary treatment for ampullary cancer (AC), the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy (CTx) has not yet been confirmed. METHODS: AC patients who were administered 5-fluorouracil(FU)/leucovorin(LV)-based CTx after curative intent surgery between 2011 and 2019 were included. Prognosis was compared between the observation (OB) and CTx groups after propensity score matching (PSM) using perioperative variables to control differences in patient characteristics. RESULTS: Before PSM, of 475 patients, those in the CTx group (n = 281) had worse 5-year overall survival (OS) (82.1% vs. 78.5%, p = 0.017) and worse 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) (54.9% vs. 75.7%, p < 0.001) than those in the OB group (n = 194). In addition, the CTx group had a higher rate of poor prognostic factors such as a high T stage (p < 0.001), node metastasis (p < 0.001), and poor differentiation (p < 0.001). After PSM, perioperative outcomes were comparable. In addition, there were no significant differences in OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.085; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.688-1.710; p = 0.726) or RFS (HR, 0.883; 95% CI, 0.613 1.272; p = 0.505) between the CTx (n = 123) and OB (n = 123) groups even after stratification by TNM stage. Intestinal subtype showed better 5-year OS (83.7% vs 33.2%, p = 0.015) and RFS (46.5% vs 24.9%, p = 0.035) rate compared with pancreatobiliary/mixed subtype. CONCLUSION: Patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy based on 5-FU/LV showed comparable oncologic outcomes to patients in the OB group even after stratification by tumor stage. The patients with intestinal subtype showed oncologic benefit for adjuvant 5-FU/LV CTx compared with pancreatobiliary or mixed subtypes.

Assessment of learning curve and oncologic feasibility of robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy: A propensity score-based comparison with open approach.

BACKGROUND: Though robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy(R-PD) is gradually adopted, learning curve and its feasibility is still controversial. We analyzed our first 70 R-PD cases, comparing surgical outcomes and feasibility to those of open pancreaticoduodenectomy (O-PD). METHODS: Medical records of 70 patients of R-PD and 269 patients of O-PD between 2015 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Cumulative sum analysis was used to determine learning curve. Surgical outcomes were compared between early(1-35) and late cases(36-70). Additional analyses with O-PD using propensity score-matching were done. RESULTS: Learning curve of R-PD completed after 30 cases. Shorter operative time, lower estimated blood loss, and shorter length of stay were noted in later cases. Complication rate tended to decrease over time. In comparison with O-PD after matching, R-PD showed longer operation time(414.5 minutes vs 244.7 minutes; P < .001), with no differences in estimated blood loss, or length of stay. While overall complication rate was higher in R-PD(45.5% vs 21.8%; P = .010), no statistically significant difference was observed in major complication rates(23.6% vs 10.9%; P = .084). R0 rate was equivalent. CONCLUSION: Surgical performance of R-PD improved over time. Learning curve of R-PD completed after 30 cases. R-PD is a promising modality, based on comparison of perioperative and oncologic feasibilities to those of O-PD.

A comparison of robotic versus laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: Propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the perioperative and pathologic outcomes of robotic distal pancreatectomy compared with a laparoscopic approach. METHODS: A total of 121 robotic distal pancreatectomies and 992 laparoscopic distal pancreatectomies were retrospectively evaluated, comparing the demographic, perioperative and pathologic outcomes. After 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM) with 11 demographic variables, the factors were analysed again. RESULTS: Following PSM, 104 robotic distal pancreatectomy patients were compared with 208 laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy patients. The operation time and proportion of spleen preservation were not different between the groups. The rates of open conversion were lower, whereas the hospital costs were higher in the robotic group. Other perioperative outcomes and pathologic factors did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although robotic distal pancreatectomy is more expensive, this operation is feasible, with a higher probability of proceeding with the planned operation and with low open conversion rate.

Predictive Performance of Current Nodal Staging Systems in Various Categories of Pancreatic Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Nodal staging systems (NSS) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) classify patients on the basis of number of metastatic lymph nodes (MLN), metastatic/retrieved lymph node ratio (LNR), and log odds of positive LN (LODDS). The relative prognostic performance of these NSS, however, remains unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified 2584 patients who underwent surgery for PDAC between 2010 and 2019. Subgroups of each staging system were classified using K-adaptive partitioning method and assessed by comparing time-dependent areas under the curve (AUC) 5 years after surgery. RESULTS: Patients were subgrouped by MLN (0, 1-3, ≥ 4), LNR (0, 0-0.23, > 0.23), and LODDS (< - 3.5, - 3.5 to - 0.970, > - 0.97). All three NSS were independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). The AUCs for OS were comparable for the MLN (0.622), LNR (0.609), and LODDS (0.596) systems. Subgroup evaluation based on 12 retrieved lymph nodes (RLN), R1 resection, and extent of resection showed that the AUCs of the MLN and LNR NSS were comparable for OS and RFS regardless of the number of RLNs, R1 resection, and extent of resection. By contrast, the AUCs of the LODDS NSS were lower. CONCLUSION: The NSS based on the number of MLN is the best prognostic indicator, with prognostic performance comparable to the other NSS and greater convenience for practical use. This NSS was applicable regardless of the numbers of RLN, R1 resection, and extent of resection.

Clinical Outcomes Between a Minimally Invasive and Open Extended Cholecystectomy for T2 Gallbladder Cancer: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Background: Although a minimally invasive extended cholecystectomy (MIEC) for T2 gallbladder cancer (T2 GBC) has been performed in many experienced centers, no oncologic comparison with open extended cholecystectomy (OEC) has yet been reported. Methods: T2 GBC patients who underwent MIEC (n = 60) or OEC (n = 135) were enrolled. We used propensity score matching (PSM) using pre- and intraoperative variables. Short- and long-term outcomes were then compared before and after PSM. Results: Before PSM, OEC patients more frequently showed completion of surgery after a simple cholecystectomy (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.551), and lymph node enlargement on preoperative computed tomography (SMD = -0.471). PSM was used to select 56 patients from each of the 2 patient groups. MIEC patients showed comparable complication rate (7.1% versus 12.5%, P = .365) and shorter hospital stay (5.7 days versus 9.8 days, P < .001). The median follow-up period was 26.2 months, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate (96.8% versus 91.1%, P = .464) and 5-year recurrence free survival (RFS) (54.7% versus 44.4%, P = .580) outcomes were still comparable between MIEC and OEC groups. Conclusion: MIEC have advantages such as early recovery and comparable short-term outcomes compared with OEC. MIEC showed comparable OS and RFS outcomes compared with OEC. MIEC is a safe option without oncological compromise for T2 GBC.

Usefulness of Inflammation-Based Prognostic Scores in Patients with Surgically Treated Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of inflammation-based prognostic scores in patients undergoing curative surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A retrospective analysis was conducted for 914 patients undergoing curative surgical resection for PDAC between January 2011 and April 2016. Inflammation-based scores of modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-lymphocyte ratio were assessed. mGPS was classified as high (1 or 2) or low (0). Median age was 63 (range, 33-88) years; 538 patients (58.9%) were male. A high mGPS was independently associated with poor overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) (median OS: 25.4 months vs. 20.4 months, p = 0.001; median DFS: 11.6 months vs. 9.3 months, p = 0.002), poor OS in patients with TNM stage I PDAC (44 months vs. 24.8 months, p = 0.001), and poor OS and DFS in patients with tumors located at the pancreatic head or uncinate process (OS: 25.4 months vs. 20.4 months; p = 0.007, DFS: 11.4 months vs. 8.87 months; p = 0.005). Preoperative mGPS was a significant prognostic factor for PDAC after curative resection; thus, mGPS can be a useful prognostic predictive factor in patients with TNM stage I PDAC, especially for tumors located at the head and uncinate.