Cefotaxime resistance in bile samples is an independent predictor of deep infectious complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with endoprosthesis.

BACKGROUND: Bacteriobilia may increase the rate of deep infectious complications (DIC) after pancreaticoduodenectomy. To better adjust prophylactic and empirical antibacterial treatment, we aimed to characterize bacteriobilia in patients with preoperative endoprosthesis, and its association with postoperative DIC. METHODS: All patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in our center between 2010 and 2019 were included. The association between microbiological findings from bile samples, and postoperative DIC was analyzed, and we compared microbiology data between 2010-2014 and 2015-2019 periods. RESULTS: We enrolled 578 patients (median age 67 years [59-72], 58.7% males), of whom 220 (38.1%) had preoperative biliary endoprosthesis, with 197 (89.5%) positive preoperative bile samples pathogens were Enterobacterales, enterococci, and Candida albicans. The incidence of DIC was similar in patients with or without endoprosthesis (20.4% vs 17.8%, P = .352). Bacterial isolates collected during 2015-2019 were more resistant to cefotaxime than those recovered from 2010-2014 (45.5% vs 25.5%, P = .009). The only independent risk factor for DIC in patients with endoprosthesis was cefotaxime resistance in bile (hazard ratio 3.027 [1.115-8.216], P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of DIC is high after pancreaticoduodenectomy, with or without endoprosthesis, despite routine postoperative treatment. Cefotaxime resistance, the only independent predictor of DIC in patients with endoprosthesis, has increased over time. Hence, cefotaxime may no longer be an appropriate empirical treatment.

Modified Appleby Procedure, Distal Splenopancreatectomy with Celiac Axis Resection.

BACKGROUND: Modified Appleby procedure could be indicated in stage III locally advanced body pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) involving the celiac axis after neoadjuvant treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report the case of a 38-year-old woman presenting a tumor arising from the body of the pancreas, involving the celiac trunk with the common hepatic artery and having contact with the anterior surface of the superior mesenteric artery. A fine-needle aspirate biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of PADC. Eight cycles of FOLFIRINOX followed by chemoradiotherapy (50.4 Gy) were conducted. After 6 months, the CA19-9 levels were normalized, and the tumor remained stable without local growth or distant metastasis. To reduce the risk of ischemia-related complications and develop the pancreaticoduodenal arcades, a preoperative embolization of the common hepatic artery was performed. Then, surgical resection was considered 4 weeks after embolization. RESULTS: The patient underwent a modified Appleby procedure including distal splenopancreatectomy with en bloc celiac axis resection combined with lateral portal vein resection. Venous reconstruction was carried out using peritoneal patch.1 Pathologic evaluation revealed a 2.5-cm PDAC with negative resection margins. Postoperative course was marked by acute ischemic cholecystitis requiring reoperation at postoperative day 3. The treatment was completed with four cycles of FOLFIRINOX, and she was free of disease 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Nowadays, modified Appleby procedure is more frequently performed due to improvements in responses to chemotherapy and radiotherapy which have led to better local control and more aggressive approaches in highly selected patients.

Right Hepatectomy with Vascular and Biliary Reconstruction for a Portal Vein Leiomyosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Vascular leiomyosarcomas (LMS) are rare malignant mesenchymal tumors arising from vessel smooth muscle cells. They represent only 2% of soft tissue sarcomas and most commonly (50%) originate from the inferior vena cava.1-3 Portal vein LMS are very rare, and their resection combines en bloc negative margin sarcoma surgery principles and complex liver surgery procedures with vascular reconstructions.3-5 METHODS: This is the case of a 42-year-old female presenting with a moderate cholestasis. Imaging revealed a 3-cm tumor originating from the main portal vein and its right branch while being in contact with both the right hepatic artery and biliary confluence. No metastases were identified. Core needle biopsy confirmed the diagnosis and tumor board decision was surgical resection. RESULTS: The procedure included anatomic right hepatectomy with en bloc resection of the portal vein bifurcation, common bile duct, and biliary confluence. Portal venous reconstruction was performed using an autogenous external iliac vein interposition graft, while biliary reconstruction was performed via a Roux-en-Y end-to-side hepatico-jejunostomy. Duration of surgery was 300 min, and blood loss was 300 ml. Postoperative outcomes were uneventful and patient was discharged on postoperative day 8 with a transient right limb edema. Pathology confirmed R0 resection of a T1N0M0 leiomyosarcoma, Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer (FNCLCC) grade 2 tumor. Patient was free of disease at 20 months post-surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Portal vein leiomyosarcomas are extremely rare. En bloc extensive surgical resection should be proposed to obtain R0 resection, and achieve prolonged survival.4,6,7.

Primitive gallbladder tuberculosis: a case report with review of the literature.

Gallbladder tuberculosis is an exceedingly rare disease. A correct preoperative diagnosis of Gallbladder tuberculosis is difficult, and it may be confused with different gallbladder diseases. We present a new case of a patient who underwent surgery with the preoperative diagnosis of cholelithiasis. Diagnosis of gallbladder tuberculosis was obtained with the histological examination of the frozen section.