The Oncologic Implications of Tumor Multiplicity in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Its Prognostic Value Might Be Underestimated / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#In the latest staging system of the American Joint Committee on Cancer for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCCC), solitary tumors with vascular invasion and multiple tumors are grouped together as T2. However, recent studies report that multifocal IHCCC has a worse prognosis than a single lesion. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for IHCCC and explore the prognostic significance of multiplicity after surgical resection. @*Materials and Methods@#A total of 257 patients underwent surgery for IHCCC from 2010 to 2019 and the clinicopathological data were retrospectively reviewed. Risk factor analysis was performed to identify variables associated with survival after resection. Survival outcomes were compared between patients with solitary and multiple tumors. @*Results@#In multivariable analysis, the presence of preoperative symptoms, tumor size, lymph node ratio, multiplicity, and tumor differentiation were identified as risk factors for survival. Among 82 patients with T2, overall survival was significantly longer in patients with solitary tumors (sT2) than in those with multiple tumors (mT2) (p=0.017). Survival was compared among patients with stage II-sT2, stage II-mT2, and stage III. The stage II-sT2 group showed prolonged survival when compared with stage II-mT2 or stage III. Survivals of stage II-mT2 and stage III patients were not statistically different. @*Conclusion@#Tumor multiplicity was an independent risk factor for overall survival of IHCCC after surgical resection. Patients with multiple tumors showed poorer survival than patients with a single tumor. The oncologic significance of multiplicity in IHCCC should be reappraised and reflected in the next staging system update.

Comparison between percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage and upfront laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with moderate-to-severe acute cholecystitis: a propensity score-matched analysis

Purpose@#In the Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG18), emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recognized as a crucial early treatment option for acute cholecystitis. However, early laparoscopic intervention in patients with moderate-to-severe acute cholecystitis or those with severe comorbidities may increase the risk of complications. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the association between early laparoscopic cholecystectomy and percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) in moderate-to-severe acute cholecystitis patients. @*Methods@#We retrospectively analyzed 835 TG18 grade II or III acute cholecystitis patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at 4 tertiary medical centers in the Republic of Korea. Patients were classified into 2 groups according to whether PTGBD was performed before surgery, and their short-term postoperative outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. @*Results@#The patients were divided into 2 groups, and 1:1 propensity score matching was conducted to establish the PTGBD group (n = 201) and the early laparoscopic cholecystectomy group (n = 201). The PTGBD group experienced significantly higher rates of preoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (24.9% vs. 6.5%, P < 0.001), pneumonia (7.5% vs.3.0%, P = 0.045), and cardiac disease (67.2% vs. 57.7%, P = 0.041) than the early operation group. However, there was no difference in biliary complication (hazard ratio, 1.103; 95% confidence interval, 0.519–2.343; P = 0.799) between the PTGBD group and early laparoscopic cholecystectomy group. @*Conclusion@#In most cases of moderate-to-severe cholecystitis, early laparoscopic cholecystectomy was relatively feasible.However, PTGBD should be considered if patients have the risk factor of underlying disease when experiencing general anesthesia.

Postoperative Prognostic Predictors of Bile Duct Cancers: Clinical Analysis and Immunoassays of Tissue Microarrays

Background/Aims@#Cholangiocarcinoma frequently recurs even after curative resection. Expression levels of proteins such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Snail, epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) examined by immunohistochemistry have been studied as potential prognostic factors for cholangiocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to investigate significant factors affecting the prognosis of resectable cholangiocarcinoma. @*Methods@#Ninety-one patients who underwent surgical resection at Samsung Medical Center for cholangiocarcinoma from 1995 to 2013 were included in this study. Expression levels of Ecadherin, Snail, IL-6, membranous EGFR, and cytoplasmic EGFR were analyzed by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarray blocks made from surgical specimens. @*Results@#Patients with high levels of membranous EGFR in tissue microarrays had significantly shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS): high membranous EGFR (score 0–2) 38.0 months versus low membranous EGFR (score 3) 14.4 months (p=0.008) and high membranous EGFR (score 0–2) 23.2 months versus low membranous EGFR (score 3) 6.1 months (p=0.004), respectively. On the other hand, E-cadherin, Snail, cytoplasmic EGFR, and IL-6 did not show significant association with OS or DFS. Patients with distant metastasis had significantly higher IL-6 levels than those with locoregional recurrence (p=0.01). @*Conclusions@#This study showed that overexpression of membranous EGFR was significantly associated with shorter OS and DFS in surgically resected bile duct cancer patients. In addition, higher IL-6 expression was a predictive marker for recurrence in cholangiocarcinoma patients with distant organ metastasis after surgical resection.

Diagnostic Concordance and Preoperative Risk Factors for Malignancy in Pancreatic Mucinous Cystic Neoplasms

Background/Aims@#As pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) are considered premalignant lesions, the current guidelines recommend their surgical resection. We aimed to investigate the concordance between preoperative and postoperative diagnoses and evaluate preoperative clinical parameters that could predict the malignant potential of MCNs. @*Methods@#Patients who underwent surgical resection at Samsung Medical Center for pancreatic cystic lesions and whose pathology was confirmed to be MCN, between July 2000 and December 2017, were retrospectively analyzed. @*Results@#Among a total of 132 patients 99 (75%) were diagnosed with MCN preoperatively. The most discordant preoperative diagnosis was an indeterminate pancreatic cyst. The proportion of male patients was higher (24.2% vs 7.1%, p=0.05) in the diagnosis-discordance group and the presence of worrisome features in radiologic imaging studies, such as wall thickening/enhancement (12.1% vs 37.4%, p=0.02) or solid component/mural nodule (3.0% vs 27.3%, p=0.02), was lower in the diagnosis-discordance group. The presence of symptoms (57.7% vs 34.9%, p=0.02), tumor size greater than 4 cm (80.8% vs 55.7%, p=0.04), and radiologic presence of a solid component/mural nodule (42.3% vs 16.0%, p=0.01) or duct dilatation (19.2% vs 6.6%, p=0.01) were significantly associated with malignant MCNs. @*Conclusions@#In our study, the overall diagnostic concordance rate was confirmed to be 75%, and our findings suggest that MCNs have a low malignancy potential when they are less than 4cm in size, are asymptomatic and lack worrisome features on preoperative images.

External validation of risk prediction platforms for pancreatic fistula after pancreatoduodenectomy using nomograms and artificial intelligence

Purpose@#Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a life-threatening complication following pancreatoduodenectomy (PD).We previously developed nomogram- and artificial intelligence (AI)-based risk prediction platforms for POPF after PD. This study aims to externally validate these platforms. @*Methods@#Between January 2007 and December 2016, a total of 1,576 patients who underwent PD in Seoul National University Hospital, Ilsan Paik Hospital, and Boramae Medical Center were retrospectively reviewed. The individual risk scores for POPF were calculated using each platform by Samsung Medical Center. The predictive ability was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve (AUC). The optimal predictive value was obtained via backward elimination in accordance with the results from the AI development process. @*Results@#The AUC of the nomogram after external validation was 0.679 (P < 0.001). The values of AUC after backward elimination in the AI model varied from 0.585 to 0.672. A total of 13 risk factors represented the maximal AUC of 0.672 (P < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#We performed external validation of previously developed platforms for predicting POPF. Further research is needed to investigate other potential risk factors and thereby improve the predictability of the platform.

Development and External Validation of Survival Prediction Model for Pancreatic Cancer Using Two Nationwide Databases: Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) and Korea Tumor Registry System-Biliary Pancreas (KOTUS-BP)

Background/Aims@#Several prediction models for evaluating the prognosis of nonmetastatic resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have been developed, and their performances were reported to be superior to that of the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system. We developed a prediction model to evaluate the prognosis of resected PDAC and externally validated it with data from a nationwide Korean database. @*Methods@#Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database were utilized for model development, and data from the Korea Tumor Registry System-Biliary Pancreas (KOTUS-BP) database were used for external validation. Potential candidate variables for model development were age, sex, histologic differentiation, tumor location, adjuvant chemotherapy, and the AJCC 8th staging system T and N stages. For external validation, the concordance index (C-index) and time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were evaluated. @*Results@#Between 2004 and 2016, data from 9,624 patients were utilized for model development, and data from 3,282 patients were used for external validation. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, age, sex, tumor location, T and N stages, histologic differentiation, and adjuvant chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for resected PDAC. After an exhaustive search and 10-fold cross validation, the best model was finally developed, which included all prognostic variables. The C-index, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 5-year time-dependent AUCs were 0.628, 0.650, 0.665, 0.675, and 0.686, respectively. @*Conclusions@#The survival prediction model for resected PDAC could provide quantitative survival probabilities with reliable performance. External validation studies with other nationwide databases are needed to evaluate the performance of this model.

Long-term clinical outcomes after endovascular management of ruptured pseudoaneurysm in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy

PURPOSE: Recent studies have analyzed the short-term clinical outcomes of ndovascular management. However, the long-term outcomes are unknown. This study aimed to investigate clinical outcomes after endovascular management for ruptured pseudoaneurysm in patients after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). METHODS: The medical records of 2,783 patients who underwent PD were retrospectively reviewed at a single center. Of 62 patients who received intervention after pseudonaeurysm rupture, 57 patients (91.9%) experienced eventual success of hemostasis. The patients were composed as follows: (embolization only [EMB], n = 30), (stent-graft placement only [STENT], n = 19) and (both embolization and stent-graft placement simultaneously or different times [EMB + STENT], n = 8). Long-term complications were defined as events that occur more than 30 days after the last successful endovascular treatment. RESULTS: Among 57 patients, short-term stent-graft related complications developed in 3 patients (5.3%) and clinical complication developed in 18 patients (31.5%). Nine (15.8%) had long-term stent-graft related complications, which involved partial thrombosis in 5 cases, occlusion in 3 cases and migration in 1 case. Except for 1 death, the remaining 8 cases did not experience clinical complications. The stent graft primary patency rate was 88.9% after 1 month, 84.2% after 1 year, and 63.2% after 2 years. Of 57 patients, 30 days mortality occurred in 8 patients (14.0%). CONCLUSION: After recovery from initial complication, most of patients did not experience fatal clinical complication during long-term follow-up. Endovascular management is an effective and safe management of pseudoaneurysm rupture after PD in terms of long-term safety.

Splenic vessel patency: is it real menace to perform laparoscopic splenic vessel-preserving distal pancreatectomy

PURPOSE: This study compared the patency of the splenic vessels between laparoscopic and open spleen and splenic vessel-preserving distal pancreatectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a database of 137 patients who underwent laparoscopic (n = 91) or open (n = 46) spleen and splenic vessel-preserving distal pancreatectomy at a single institute from 2001 through 2015. Splenic vessel patency was assessed by abdominal computed tomography and classified into three grades according to the degree of stenosis. RESULTS: The splenic artery patency rate was similar in both groups (97.8 vs. 95.7%, P = 0.779). Also, the splenic vein patency rate was not significantly different between the 2 groups (74.7% vs. 82.6%, P = 0.521). Postoperative wound complication was significantly lower in the laparoscopic group (19.8% vs. 28.3%, P = 0.006), and hospital stay was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic group (7 days vs. 9 days, P = 0.001) than in the open group. Median follow-up periods were 22 months (3.7–96.2 months) and 31.7 months (4–104 months) in the laparoscopic and open groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy showed good splenic vessel patency as well as open distal pancreatectomy. For this reason, splenic vessel patency is not an obstacle in performing laparoscopic splenic vessel-preserving distal pancreatectomy.

Clinical significance of revised microscopic positive resection margin status in ductal adenocarcinoma of pancreatic head

PURPOSE: Recent studies have suggested microscopic positive resection margin should be revised according to the presence of tumor cells within 1mm of the margin surface in resected specimens of pancreatic cancer. However, the clinical meaning of this revised margin status for R1 resection margin was not fully clarified. METHODS: From July 2012 to December 2014, the medical records of 194 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head were analyzed retrospectively. They were divided into 3 groups on margin status; revised microscopic negative margin (rR0) – tumor exists more than 1 mm from surgical margin, revised microscopic positive margin (rR1) – tumor present within less than 1 mm from surgical margin, classic microscopic positive margin (cR1) – tumor is exposed to surgical margin. RESULTS: There were 76 rR0 (39.2%), 100 rR1 (51.5%), and 18 cR1 (9.3%). There was significant difference in disease-free survival rates between cR1 vs. rR1 (8.4 months vs. 24.0 months, P = 0.013). Margin status correlated with local recurrence rate (17.1% in rR0, 26.0% in rR1, and 44.4% in cR1, P = 0.048). There is significant difference in recurrence at tumor bed (11.8% in rR0 vs. 23.0 in rR1, P = 0.050). Of rR1, adjuvant treatment was found to be an independent risk factor for local recurrence (hazard ratio, 0.297; 95% confidence interval, 0.127–0.693, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Revised R1 resection margin (rR1) affects recurrence at the tumor bed. Adjuvant treatment significantly reduced local recurrence of rR1. Accordingly, adjuvant chemoradiation for rR1 group should be taken into account.

Validation of the 8th AJCC Cancer Staging System for Pancreas Neuroendocrine Tumors Using Korean Nationwide Surgery Database / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) included several significant changes. We aim to evaluate this staging system compared to the 7th edition AJCC staging system and European Neuroendocrine Tumors Society (ENETS) system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used Korean nationwide surgery database (2000-2014). Of 972 patients who had undergone surgery for PNET, excluding patients diagnosed with ENETS/World Health Organization 2010 grade 3 (G3), only 472 patients with accurate stage were included. RESULTS: Poor discrimination in overall survival rate (OSR) was noted between AJCC 8th stage III and IV (p=0.180). The disease-free survival (DFS) curves of 8th AJCC classification were well separated between all stages. Compared with stage I, the hazard ratio of II, III, and IV was 3.808, 13.928, and 30.618, respectively (p=0.007, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001). The curves of OSR and DFS of certain prognostic group in AJCC 7th and ENETS overlapped. In ENETS staging system, no significant difference in DFS between stage IIB versus IIIA (p=0.909) and IIIA versus IIIB (p=0.291). In multivariable analysis, lymphovascular invasion (p=0.002), perineural invasion (p=0.003), and grade (p < 0.001) were identified as independent prognostic factors for DFS. CONCLUSION: This is the first large-scale validation of the AJCC 8th edition staging system for PNET. The revised 8th system provides better discrimination compared to that of the 7th edition and ENETS TNM system. This supports the clinical use of the system.

First Case in Korea of a Patient With Anti-PP1Pk Antibodies: Successful Blood Management via Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution

No abstract available.

Postcholecystectomy syndrome: symptom clusters after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

PURPOSE: Postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) is characterized by abdominal symptoms following gallbladder removal. However, there is no consensus for the definition or treatment for PCS. The purpose of this study was to define PCS among various symptoms after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and to identify risk factors affecting PCS. METHODS: This study was conducted at Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital and Chung-Ang University Hospital (2012–2013). Outcomes were assessed using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ–C30 questionnaire. Symptom cluster for determining PCS was made by factor analysis. Cluster analysis evaluating risk factors of PCS was made by Ward methods and Dentogram. RESULTS: Factor analysis revealed three distinct symptom clusters, those are ‘insomnia and financial difficulties (eigenvalue, 1.707; Cronbach α, 0.190),’‘appetite loss and constipation (eigenvalue, 1.413; Cronbach α, 0.480),’ and ‘right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain and diarrhea (eigenvalue, 1.245; Cronbach α, 0.315).’ Among these symptom clusters, the cluster of ‘RUQ pain and diarrhea’ was determined as PCS. However, we could not find any risk factors between high symptomatic group and low symptomatic group. CONCLUSION: PCS could consist of RUQ pain and diarrhea. Well-designed prospective trials are needed to determine risk factors of PCS.

The Learning Curve for Laparoscopic Totally Extraperitoneal Herniorrhaphy by Logarithmic Function

PURPOSE: Totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair has gained in popularity in the past two decades. Despite the advantages TEP hernia repair, the approach is hindered by the relatively long learning curve of the surgery. We tried to estimate the necessary number of repetitions of TEP hernia repair in the learning curve using logarithmic and exponential function models. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent TEP hernia repair by a single surgeon consecutively at a single center. We calculated how many operations were needed to achieve a reduction in the expected operating time to mean operating time using logarithmic and exponential function models. RESULTS: In the 91 patients, the logarithmic function model predicted that 37 cases were needed to overcome the learning curve for TEP hernia repair while the exponential model predicted that 39 cases were needed. CONCLUSION: According to this study, at least 37 to 39 cases are needed in the overcome learning curve of TEP hernia repair. Further studies are needed to optimize surgical education and maximize quality.

Intravascular Large B-cell Lymphoma within Duodenal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor / 대한췌담도학회지

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare disease of intravascular growth of malignant lymphocytes without an obvious extravascular tumor mass or existence in peripheral blood. It has poor prognosis due to its aggressive behavior and rapid systemic dissemination. But there is no pathognomonic finding, diagnosis of IVLBCL is still challenging. Here we report a case of IVLBCL found within a resected specimen of duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Intravascular Large B-cell Lymphoma within Duodenal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor / 대한췌담도학회지

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare disease of intravascular growth of malignant lymphocytes without an obvious extravascular tumor mass or existence in peripheral blood. It has poor prognosis due to its aggressive behavior and rapid systemic dissemination. But there is no pathognomonic finding, diagnosis of IVLBCL is still challenging. Here we report a case of IVLBCL found within a resected specimen of duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Visceral Obesity If Associated with Gallbladder Polyps

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gallbladder polyps (GBP) are a common clinical finding and may possess malignant potential. We conducted this study to determine whether visceral obesity is a risk factor for GBP. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of subjects who received both ultrasonography and computed tomography with measurements of the areas of visceral adipose tissue and total adipose tissue (TAT) on the same day as health checkups. RESULTS: Ninety-three of 1,615 subjects (5.8%) had GBP and were compared with 186 age- and sex-matched controls. VAT (odds ratio [OR], 2.941; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.325 to 6.529; p=0.008 for the highest quartile vs the lowest quartile) and TAT (OR, 3.568; 95% CI, 1.625 to 7.833; p=0.002 for the highest quartile vs the lowest quartile) were independent risk factors together with hypertension (OR, 2.512; 95% CI, 1.381 to 4.569; p=0.003), diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.942; 95% CI, 1.061 to 8.158; p=0.038), hepatitis B virus positivity (OR, 3.548; 95% CI, 1.295 to 9.716; p=0.014), and a higher level of total cholesterol (OR, 2.232; 95% CI, 1.043 to 4.778; p=0.039 for or =240 mg/dL). Body mass index and waist circumference were not meaningful variables. CONCLUSIONS: Visceral obesity measured by VAT and TAT was associated with GBP irrespective of body mass index or waist circumference.

A Case of Leukemoid Reaction in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma / 대한소화기학회지

Leukemoid reaction is defined as leukocytosis exceeding 50,000 cells/mm3. When it occurs in a patient with a malignancy, secondary causes such as infections, drugs, hematologic diseases and hemorrhage need to be ruled out. After excluding such causes, paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction can be considered as a diagnosis of exclusion. Paraneoplastic leukemoid reactions have been described in association with lung, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and head and neck cancers. However, pancreatic cancer with leukemoid reaction has been rarely reported. We diagnosed a case of a 55-year-old Korean woman with extreme leukocytosis associated with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Is the Prevalence of Gallbladder Polyp Different between Vegetarians and General Population? / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gallbladder polyps (GBP) are a common clinical finding that can express malignant potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether vegetarianism protects against GBP, together with other putative risk factors. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted with subjects who received a health check-up from July 2005 to December 2011. Korean Buddhist priests, who are obligatory vegetarians by religious belief, were identified as vegetarians (vegetarian group) and compared with a non-vegetarian control group sampled from those coming for health check-ups at the same institution. RESULTS: Out of 18,483 subjects, GBP were found in 810 (4.4%). Although GBP tended to be less common in the vegetarian group (23 [3.5%] out of 666) than in control group (787 [4.4%] out of 17,817), the difference was insignificant statistically (p=0.233). By logistic regression, old age (OR=1.61, 95% CI=1.19-2.26 for 30-39 years; OR=1.47, 95% CI=1.08-1.98 for 40-49 years), male gender (OR=1.51, 95% CI=1.31-1.75), high BMI (OR=1.18, 95% CI=1.00-1.39 for > or =23.0 kg/m2 and <25.0 kg/m2) and HBsAg positivity (OR=1.53, 95% CI=1.19-1.98) were independent risk factors of GBP. CONCLUSIONS: GBP was significantly associated with old age, male gender, high BMI and HBsAg positivity, but not with vegetarianism.

Role of resection for Bismuth type IV hilar cholangiocarcinoma and analysis of determining factors for curative resection

PURPOSE: Extended liver resection may provide long-term survival in selected patients with Bismuth type IV hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA). The purpose of this study was to identify anatomical factors that predict curative-intended resection. METHODS: Thirty-three of 159 patients with Bismuth type IV HCCA underwent major hepato-biliary resection with curative intent (CIR) between 2000 and 2010. Disease extent and anatomical variations were analyzed as factors enabling CIR. RESULTS: CIR ratio with hilar trifurcation bile duct variation (13/16) was significantly higher than that with other bile duct variation types (18/25). Hilum to left second bile duct confluence and tumor infiltration over left second bile duct confluence lengths in right-sided CIR were significantly shorter than those lengths in left-sided CIR (10.8 +/- 4.9 and 2.7 +/- 0.8 mm vs. 16.5 +/- 8.4 and 7.0 +/- 5.3 mm, respectively). Left-sided CIR patients had a marginally higher proportion of tumors invading < or =5 mm over the right second confluence than that in right-sided CIR patients (13/17 vs. 6/16; P = 0.061). The 3-year survival rate after CIR (28%) was significantly higher than after non-CIR (6.1%). CONCLUSION: We recommend the criteria of CIR as bile duct variation type, length of hilum to contralateral second bile duct confluence, and extent of tumor infiltration over the second confluence for Bismuth type IV HCCA.

Which method of pancreatic surgery do medical consumers prefer among open, laparoscopic, or robotic surgery? A survey

PURPOSE: The consumers' preferences are not considered in developing or implementing new medical technologies. Furthermore, little efforts are made to investigate their demands. Therefore, their preferred surgical method and the factors affecting that preference were investigated in pancreatic surgery. METHODS: Six-hundred subjects including 100 medical personnel (MP) and 500 lay persons (LP) were surveyed. Questionnaire included basic information on different methods of distal pancreatectomy; open surgery (OS), laparoscopic surgery (LS), and robotic surgery (RS). Assuming they required the operation, participants were told to indicate their preferred method along with a reason and an acceptable cost for both benign and malignant conditions. RESULTS: For benign disease, the most preferred method was LS. Limiting the choice to LS and RS, LS was preferred for cost and well-established safety and efficacy. OS was favored in malignant disease for the concern for radicality. Limiting the choice to LS and RS, LS was favored for its better-established safety and efficacy. The majority thought that LS and RS were both overpriced. Comparing MP and LP responses, both groups preferred LS in benign and OS in malignant conditions. However, LP more than MP tended to prefer RS under both benign and malignant conditions. LP thought that LS was expensive whereas MP thought the cost reasonable. Both groups felt that RS was too expensive. CONCLUSION: Though efforts for development of novel techniques and broadening indication should be encouraged, still more investments and research should focus on LS and OS to provide optimal management and satisfaction to the patients.