Vascular supply of postresection pancreatic remnant after pancreaticoduodenectomy: A cadaveric study.

OBJECTIVES: The vascular supply to the neck and body of the pancreas is highly variable. The dorsal pancreatic artery is the dominant artery feeding this area. The aim of this study was to describe the vascular supply of postresection pancreatic remnants after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Patients with hazardous anatomical arrangement may be at a higher risk of postresection remnant ischemia and postoperative pancreatic fistula development. METHODS: The modified Whipple procedure was performed on 20 cadaveric donors. The macroscopic anatomical supply of the postresection pancreatic remnant of each donor was evaluated. RESULTS: The arterial supply of the postresection remnant was highly variable. In 30% of cases (6/20), the dorsal pancreatic artery was cut during the pancreatoduodenectomy or it was missing. In these cases, the area of the pancreaticojejunostomy construction was fed only through anastomoses between the transverse pancreatic artery and the pancreatic branches of the splenic artery. CONCLUSIONS: In 30% of cases, the arterial supply of the postresection pancreatic remnant was dependent on inconstant intraparenchymal arterial anastomoses. These patients may be at a higher risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula development.

Intraoperative Imaging in Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery.

Hepatopancreatobiliary surgery belongs to one of the most complex fields of general surgery. An intricate and vital anatomy is accompanied by difficult distinctions of tumors from fibrosis and inflammation; the identification of precise tumor margins; or small, even disappearing, lesions on currently available imaging. The routine implementation of ultrasound use shifted the possibilities in the operating room, yet more precision is necessary to achieve negative resection margins. Modalities utilizing fluorescent-compatible dyes have proven their role in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery, although this is not yet a routine practice, as there are many limitations. Modalities, such as photoacoustic imaging or 3D holograms, are emerging but are mostly limited to preclinical settings. There is a need to identify and develop an ideal contrast agent capable of differentiating between malignant and benign tissue and to report on the prognostic benefits of implemented intraoperative imaging in order to navigate clinical translation. This review focuses on existing and developing imaging modalities for intraoperative use, tailored to the needs of hepatopancreatobiliary cancers. We will also cover the application of these imaging techniques to theranostics to achieve combined diagnostic and therapeutic potential.

Chemotherapy versus chemoradiotherapy in borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

The role of radiotherapy in borderline resectable (BRPC) and locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma (LAPC) remains controversial. In our study, we retrospectively evaluated 48 patients with BRPC (14; 29.2%) and LAPC (34; 70. 8%) who underwent 6-8 cycles of induction mFOLFIRINOX chemotherapy alone (23; 47.9%) or 4-6 cycles of mFOLFIRINOX followed by hypofractionated radiotherapy (up to the total dose of 39.9 Gy in 15 fractions) (25; 52.1%). Survival parameters were evaluated using the Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon Test and compared by using the long-rank test. The addition of radiotherapy was not associated with better survival (16.9 months for chemotherapy only versus 15.9 months for the combined therapy; p=0.486), as well as for both subgroups (13.5 months vs. 18.3 months; p=0.679) and (20.7 months vs. 13.8 months; p=0.425) for BRPC and LAPC, respectively. A higher resection rate was seen in the BRPC group compared to the LAPC group (43% vs. 17.6%, respectively). Our study revealed a significantly higher rate of lung metastases in patients after the combination therapy compared to those treated by chemotherapy only (19% vs. 0%, respectively; p=0.045). Such a borderline result, however, prevents us from drawing clear conclusions about whether this is an artifact caused by the low number of patients or whether radiotherapy leads to a selection of stem cells with a predilection to the generalization to the lungs.

Delayed Post-Traumatic Hemobilia in a Patient With Blunt Abdominal Trauma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Hemobilia is a rare condition defined as bleeding in the biliary tract. The clinical presentation is variable. The typical manifestation consists of jaundice, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. This set of symptoms is known as "Quincke's triad." It is present in only 22%-35% of cases. Post-traumatic hemobilia is an extraordinarily rare condition occurring in only 6% of the patients with hemobilia. In general, it occurs in less than 0.2% of patients with liver trauma. A delay in the development of bleeding after liver trauma is frequent. Early diagnosis is essential because massive bleeding into the biliary tract is a potentially life-threatening condition. We present a case of a patient with massive hemobilia developed 12 days after blunt abdominal trauma. Computed tomography angiography showed two pseudoaneurysms in hepatic segments V and VIII with contrast medium extravasation. We successfully performed digital subtraction angiography with selective transcatheter arterial embolization of the leaking segment VIII pseudoaneurysm. Embolization of the pseudoaneurysm in segment V was technically impracticable. Our article provides a review of the published literature focussing on the prevalence, diagnostics, and treatment of post-traumatic hemobilia.

A comparison of surgical approaches in the treatment of grade C postoperative pancreatic fistula: A retrospective study.

Background: Postoperative pancreatic fistula is one of the most dreaded complications following pancreatic resections with Grade C the most severe. Several possible types of surgical intervention are available but to date, none of them have clearly shown superiority. This study aims to compare different surgical approaches. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent revision surgery for postoperative pancreatic fistula between 2008 and 2020 was performed. Three surgical approaches were compared: open drainage; a disconnection of the pancreaticojejunostomy; and salvage total pancreatectomy. The data of nine monitored parameters were collected. Selected parameters were statistically analyzed and compared. Results: A total of 54 patients were included. Eighteen patients underwent open drainage, 28 had disconnections of the pancreaticojejunostomy and eight had salvage total pancreatectomy. Statistically significant differences were observed in the time of Intensive Care Unit stay, the number of surgical interventions, 90-day mortality, the number of administered blood transfers and treatment costs. Open drainage showed to be superior in each category. The difference in long-term survival also slightly favored simple drainage. Conclusion: Open drainage procedure showed to be superior to other types of interventions in most of the monitored parameters. Disconnection of the pancreaticojejunostomy and a salvage total pancreatectomy had similar results, which correlated with the surgical burden of these interventions.

The dorsal pancreatic artery: A meta-analysis with clinical correlations.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The dorsal pancreatic artery is the main artery of the body and tail of the pancreas. Its origin and branching is highly variable. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to generate pooled prevalence data on the presence and origin of the dorsal pancreatic artery. Clinically important aspects of the dorsal pancreatic artery were summarised during the literature review. METHODS: Major medical databases were searched. Data on the presence and point of origin of the dorsal pancreatic artery were extracted and quantitatively synthesised. The obtained data of anatomical based studies and computed tomography based studies were statistically analysed. RESULTS: In total, 30 studies, comprising 2322 anatomical and computed tomography based cases were included. The dorsal pancreatic artery was present in 95.8% of cases. It originated from the splenic artery in 37.6% of cases, common hepatic artery in 18.3% of cases, coeliac trunk in 11.9% of cases and the superior mesenteric artery in 23.9% of cases. Other rare origins were present in 2.77% of cases. Multiple dorsal pancreatic arteries were found in 1,7% of cases. There was no significant difference in the presence or origin of the dorsal pancreatic artery between anatomical and computed tomography based studies. CONCLUSION: The dorsal pancreatic artery is present in the vast majority of cases. Its origin and branching are highly variable. Multiplicity of the dorsal pancreatic artery is infrequent.

[Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia I (Wermers Syndrome), Forms of Clinical Manifestation, 5 Case Studies]. / Mnohocetná endokrinní neoplazie I (Wermeruv syndrom) - formy klinické manifestace: 5 kazuistik.

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) is a condition in which several endocrine organs of an individual are affected by adenoma, hyperplasia and less often carcinoma, either simultaneously or at different stages of life. Two existing syndromes, MEN1 and MEN2 (2A, 2B), in literature is also mentioned MEN4, are associated also with other non-endocrine disorders. MEN1 (Wermer syndrome) affects the pituitary, parathyroid, and pancreatic area. 95 % of patients show very early manifestation of hyperparathyroidism, often before 40 years of age. Multiple adenomas gradually involve all four parathyroid glands. The first clinical sign of MEN1 includes recurrent nephrolithiasis. The second most frequent manifestation of MEN1 is pancreatic area (pancreas, stomach and duodenum), again multiple malignancies of varying degree which can metastasize. Most often gastrinomas and insulinomas are involved. Pituitary adenomas occur in about one third of MEN1 patients and tend to be larger and less responsive to treatment. Tumors appearing most often are prolactinomas, tumors producing growth hormone, or afunctional adenomas. The other endocrine tumors include carcinoids and adrenal lesions. In the last year we have registered four MEN1 syndrome patients in our center and one patient has been already followed since 2008. In four out of five patients, nephrolithiasis after 30 years of age was the first clinical symptom, but only one of theses cases resulted in MEN1 diagnosis. In all patients, the clinical symptoms intensified and the diagnosis was established between 36 and 40 years of age. A crutial factor is a cooperation with the urology examination of kidney stones formation in young individuals with nephrolithiasis in order to reveal the potential cases of MEN1 syndrome very early on. Consider the MEN1 genetic diagnostics if recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism or recurrent gastroduodenal ulcer disease appear in patients under 40 years of age.Key words: carcinoid - gastrinoma - hyperparathyroidism - insulinoma - MEN1 - multiple endocrine neoplasia - nefrolithiasis - neuroendocrine tumor - pancreatic area - pituitary gland.

Early detection of pancreatic cancer: impact of high-resolution imaging methods and biomarkers.

High-resolution imaging methods (HRIMs) and biomarkers present the second step of pancreatic cancer (PC) diagnostics in at-risk individuals. These include patients with positive risk factors, early symptoms, nonresponders to the initial antidiabetic therapy, patients older than 50 years of age with new-onset unstable diabetes requiring insulin as well as patients with long-term insulin-non-dependent diabetes and recent (up to 6 months) failure of antidiabetic therapy. The procedures should be started without delay and the co-operation between the primary and tertiary medical centers is highly desirable. An early indication of HRIMs and biomarkers is a prerequisite for the diagnosis of a resectable PC. This publication reviews the recent contribution of HRIMs and biomarkers toward an early diagnosis of PC.

Celiac axis stenosis and lethal liver ischemia after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Celiac axis stenosis can lead to a fatal hepatic ischemia after pancreaticoduodenectomy unless a simultaneous revascularisation of the celiac circulation is performed. In the present study are reported three cases of celiac axis stenosis, all of which had histologically confirmed periampullary cancer. Case 1: a 50-year-old male with a history of myocardial infarction and liver steatosis; visceral arteriography prior to the surgery demonstrated a celiac axis stenosis. Whipple operation was performed. After removing the specimen, no signs of liver ischemia were found (liver was cholestatic) and pulsation of the hepatic artery was strong. The patient died on the second postoperative day after an abrupt irreversible cardiac arrest. Autopsy proved acute severe hepatic ischemia. Case 2: a 64-year-old female. Preoperative visceral angiography showed significant celiac axis stenosis. As a first step of surgery the root of the celiac trunk was exposed, a fibrotic ring around it was divided. Standard D1 pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Case 3: a 58-year-old female without preoperative angiography, indicated for surgery. After an occlusion test of the gastroduodenal artery the liver became ischemic. Division of the fibrotic ring around celiac axis was performed together with a standard D1 pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. No postoperative complications were reported in both case 2 and 3.