Pancreatectomía corporocaudal laparoscópica y robótica, de elección y de futuro / Laparoscopic and robotic distal pancreatectomy: The choice and the future

Introducción La pancreatectomía distal (PD) mínimamente invasiva (MIS) está actualmente bien establecida, ya sea mediante técnica laparoscópica (PDL) o robótica (PDR).MétodosDe 83 PD realizadas entre enero del 2018 y marzo del 2022, se realizaron 57 casos (68,7%) mediante MIS, 35 PDL y 22 PDR (da Vinci Xi). Se evalúa la experiencia de ambos procedimientos y el valor del abordaje robótico. Se analizan en detalle los casos de conversión.ResultadosEl tiempo quirúrgico medio en las PDL y PDR fue de 201,2 (DE 47,8) y 247,54 (DE 35,8) min, (p=0,486). No se observaron diferencias en estancia hospitalaria ni en tasa de conversión, 6 (5-34) vs. 5,6 (5-22) días y 4 (11,4%) vs. 3 (13,6%) casos, respectivamente, (p=0.126). La tasa de reingresos fue de 3/35 (11,4%) y 6/22 (27,3%) casos, PDL vs. PDR respectivamente, (p=0.126).No existieron diferencias en morbilidad (Dindo-Clavien ≥ III) entre ambos grupos. La mortalidad fue de un caso en el grupo robótico (un paciente con conversión precoz por afectación vascular). La tasa de resecciones R0 fue mayor en el grupo robótico (77,1% vs. 90,9%) alcanzando la significación estadística, p=0,04.ConclusionesLa PDMIS es un procedimiento seguro y factible en pacientes seleccionados. Una planificación quirúrgica y la implementación escalonada basada en la experiencia previa ayudan a afrontar procedimientos técnicamente exigentes. Se sugiere que la PDR podría ser el abordaje de elección en la pancreatectomía corporocaudal, no siendo inferior a la PDL. (AU)

Introduction Distal pancreatectomy (DP) is currently well established as a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) procedure, using either a laparoscopic (LDP) or robotic (RDP) approach.MethodsOut of 83 DP performed between January 2018 and March 2022, 57 cases (68.7%) were performed using MIS: 35 LDP and 22 RDP (da Vinci Xi). We have assessed the experience with the 2techniques and analyzed the value of the robotic approach. Cases of conversion have been examined in detail.ResultsThe mean operative times for LDP and RDP were 201.2 (SD 47.8) and 247.54 (SD 35.8)min, respectively (p=0,486). No differences were observed in length of hospital stay or conversion rate: 6 (5–34) vs. 5.6 (5–22) days, and 4 (11.4%) vs. 3 (13.6%) cases, respectively (p=0.126). The readmission rate was 3/35 patients (11.4%) treated with LDP and 6/22 (27.3%) cases of RDP (p=0.126).There were no differences in morbidity (Dindo-Clavien≥III) between the 2groups. Mortality was one case in the robotic group (a patient with early conversion due to vascular involvement). The rate of R0 resection was greater and statistically significant in the RDP group (77.1% vs. 90.9%) (P=,04).ConclusionsMinimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) is a safe and feasible procedure in selected patients. Surgical planning and stepwise implementation based on prior experience help surgeons successfully perform technically demanding procedures. RDP could be the approach of choice in distal pancreatectomy, and it is not inferior to LDP. (AU)

Innovation in the Surgical Management of Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms: Same Operations, Narrower Indications, and an Individualized Approach to Decision-Making.

Historically, the management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) has been operative. Early intervention for premalignant lesions, including intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN), offers an opportunity to prevent pancreatic cancer-with potential decrement to patients' short-term and long-term health. The operations performed have remained fundamentally the same, with most patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy using oncologic principles. The role of parenchymal-sparing resection and total pancreatectomy remains controversial. We review innovations in the surgical management of PCN, focusing on the evolution of evidence-based guidelines, short-term and long-term outcomes, and individualized risk-benefit assessment.

ACA Medicaid expansion reduced disparities in use of high-volume hospitals for pancreatic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Early evaluation of the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion demonstrated persistent disparities among Medicaid beneficiaries in use of high-volume hospitals for pancreatic surgery. Longer-term effects of expansion remain unknown. This study evaluated the impact of expansion on the use of high-volume hospitals for pancreatic surgery among Medicaid and uninsured patients. METHODS: State inpatient databases (2012-2017), the American Hospital Association Annual Survey Database, and the Area Resource File from the Health Resources and Services Administration, were used to examine 8,264 non-elderly adults who underwent pancreatic surgery in nine expansion and two non-expansion states. High-volume hospitals were defined as performing 20 or more resections/year. Linear probability triple differences models measured pre- and post-Affordable Care Act utilization rates of pancreatic surgery at high-volume hospitals among Medicaid and uninsured patients versus privately insured patients in expansion versus non-expansion states. RESULTS: The Affordable Care Act's expansion was associated with increased rates of utilization of high-volume hospitals for pancreatic surgery by Medicaid and uninsured patients (48% vs 55.4%, P = .047) relative to privately insured patients in expansion states (triple difference estimate +11.7%, P = .022). A pre-Affordable Care Act gap in use of high-volume hospitals among Medicaid and uninsured patients in expansion states versus non-expansion states (48% vs 77%, P < .0001) was reduced by 15.1% (P = .001) post Affordable Care Act. A pre Affordable Care Act gap between expansion versus non-expansion states was larger for Medicaid and uninsured patients relative to privately insured patients by 24.9% (P < .0001) and was reduced by 11.7% (P = .022) post Affordable Care Act. Rates among privately insured patients remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Medicaid expansion was associated with greater utilization of high-volume hospitals for pancreatic surgery among Medicaid and uninsured patients. These findings are informative to non-expansion states considering expansion. Future studies should target understanding referral mechanism post-expansion.

Trends in the treatment of pancreatic cancer in Japan.

Pancreatic cancer is known to have the poorest prognosis among digestive cancers. With the development of new chemotherapeutic agents and introduction of multidisciplinary therapy, however, the treatment outcomes for pancreatic cancer have dramatically improved over the past two decades. The keys to successful treatment will be accurate assessment of resectability [resectable (R), borderline resectable (BR) or unresectable (UR)] at the time of diagnosis and prompt adoption of an appropriate multidisciplinary treatment strategy. Prep-02/JSAP-05 trial which is an RCT of upfront surgery versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy using GEM and S-1 (GS) and subsequent surgery for R-PDAC in Japan indicated neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a longer overall survival (OS) than those undergoing upfront surgery (36.7M vs. 26.6M, p = 0.015). In a retrospective multicenter study in Japan reported that in BR-PDAC, median survival time (MST) in the pretreatment group was significantly better than that in the upfront surgery group (25.7 months vs. 19.0 months, p = 0.015) according to a propensity score matching analysis. Another retrospective multicenter study with UR-LA PDAC in Japan reported that conversion surgery was more beneficial for patients with more than 8 months of preoperative therapy than those with less than 8 months of that therapy. Various clinical trials on pancreatic cancer are ongoing, and the results of trials on chemotherapeutic regimens and multidisciplinary treatments will be of further interest.

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer: A Perspective from Central Europe.

BACKGROUND: This survey aimed to register changes determined by the COVID-19 pandemic on pancreatic surgery in a specific geographic area (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) to evaluate the impact of the pandemic and obtain interesting cues for the future. METHODS: An online survey was designed using Google Forms focusing on the local impact of the pandemic on pancreatic surgery. The survey was conducted at 2 different time points, during and after the lockdown. RESULTS: Twenty-five respondents (25/56) completed the survey. Many aspects of oncological care have been affected with restrictions and delays: staging, tumor board, treatment selection, postoperative course, adjuvant treatments, outpatient care, and follow-up. Overall, 60% of respondents have prioritized pancreatic cancer patients according to stage, age, and comorbidities, and 40% opted not to operate high-risk patients. However, for 96% of participants, the standards of care were guaranteed. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had an important impact on pancreatic cancer surgery in central Europe. Guidelines for prompt interventions and prevention of the spread of viral infections in the surgical environment are needed to avoid a deterioration of care in cancer patients in the event of a second wave or a new pandemic. High-volume centers for pancreatic surgery should be preferred and their activity maintained. Virtual conferences have proven to be efficient during this pandemic and should be implemented in the near future.

100 Robotic Distal Pancreatectomies: The Future at Hand.

INTRODUCTION: This study was undertaken to examine 100 consecutive robotic distal pancreatectomies with splenectomies, and to compare our outcomes to predicted outcomes as calculated using the American college of surgeons national surgical quality improvement program (ACS NSQIP) Surgical Risk Calculator and to the outcomes contained within NSQIP. METHODS: Outcomes were compared with predicted outcomes, calculated using the ACS NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator, and with outcomes documented in NSQIP for distal pancreatectomy. For illustrative purposes, data are presented as median (mean ± SD). RESULTS: Patients who underwent robotic distal pancreatectomy were of age 67 (63 ± 13.4) years with a BMI of 29 (29 ± 6.3) kg/m2, with 49% being women. Operative duration was 242 (265 ± 112.2) minutes and estimated blood loss was 110 (211 ± 233.9) mL. Predicted outcomes were similar to those reported in NSQIP. Our actual outcomes were significantly superior to the predicted outcomes for serious complication, any complication, surgical site infection, sepsis, and length of stay. Compared to NSQIP outcomes, our actual outcomes for serious complication, any complication, surgical site infection, sepsis, and delayed gastric emptying were significantly superior. Twelve percent of operations were converted to "open." There were 3 deaths within 30 days, similar to predicted outcomes. Deaths were due to sepsis (2) and respiratory failure (1). CONCLUSION: Our patients' predicted outcomes were the same as national outcomes; our patients were not a select group. However, their actual outcomes were like or significantly superior than those predicted by NSQIP or reported in NSQIP. We believe that the robot has the future of distal pancreatectomy with or without splenectomy.

Fifty Years of Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer.

The surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer (PDAC) has seen sweeping changes during the past 5 decades. Up to the middle of the 20th century resection rates were below 5%, but the numbers of curative resections for PDAC are now continuously increasing due to improved neoadjuvant treatment concepts as well as progress in surgical techniques and perioperative management. During the same period, mortality rates after pancreatic surgery have decreased considerably and are now less than 5%. One of the most important cornerstones of reduced mortality has been the concentration of PDAC surgery in specialized centers. In addition, the management of postoperative complications has improved greatly as a result of optimized interdisciplinary teamwork. Adjuvant chemotherapy has become the reference treatment in resected PDAC, achieving significantly prolonged survival. Moreover, the concept of borderline resectable PDAC has emerged to characterize tumors with increased risk for tumor-positive resection margins or worse outcome. The best treatment strategy for borderline resectable PDAC is currently under debate, whereas neoadjuvant therapy has become established as a beneficial treatment option for patients with locally advanced PDAC, enabling conversion surgery in up to 60% of cases. This review article summarizes the principal changes in PDAC surgery during the past 50 years.

Management of late hemorrhage after pancreatic surgery: treatment strategy and prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage is a life-threatening complication. Hemorrhage occurring >24 hours after the index operation is defined as late hemorrhage. This study was performed to analyze the therapeutic management and prognostic factors of late hemorrhage after pancreatectomy. METHODS: We identified 87 patients with late hemorrhage among 2031 patients who underwent pancreatic surgery from January 2013 to December 2017. The patients' demographic characteristics, perioperative treatment, hemorrhage details, and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 87 patients, 53 were men. Bleeding occurred at a mean of 8.9 ± 6.0 days postoperatively. Extraluminal and intraluminal hemorrhage occurred in 58 and 29 patients, respectively. The primary intervention was successful in 66 patients, and 16 patients required a secondary intervention. The primary and total recovery rates were 72.4% and 89.7%, respectively. Of the 87 patients, 9 died. Male sex, hemorrhage on a later postoperative day, a significantly decreased hemoglobin level, and pancreatic fistula showed statistical significance as possible risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Male sex, hemorrhage on a later postoperative day, a significantly decreased hemoglobin level, and pancreatic fistula are possible risk factors for mortality in patients with late hemorrhage after pancreatectomy. Hemorrhage is a dynamic process, and a secondary intervention may be necessary.

Analysis of recurrence after resection of well-differentiated non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Although pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are generally considered to have a favorable overall prognosis after resection, disease recurrence has been observed. Few studies have specifically addressed recurrence after resection of PNETs, especially for non-functioning PNETs (NF-PNETs). The aim of our study is to analyze the recurrence of resected well-differentiated NF-PNETs.Patients who underwent surgical resection for grade 1 and 2 NF-PNETs without synchronous metastasis were identified for analysis. Patients were treated from January 2009 to December 2017 in our institution. Univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis were conducted to identify prognostic factors.Of the 88 patients, 46 were men (52%) and the mean age was 52 years. With a median follow-up of 49.1 months (range, 8-122 months), there were 12 recurrences (14%). Liver was the most common recurrence site (7/12, 58%). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence-free survival was 99%, 90%, and 88%, respectively. Univariate analysis identified that age >52 years, positive lymph nodes, tumor grade 2, and Ki67 index ≥5% were statistically significant. Multivariate analysis identified that Ki67 index ≥5% (hazard ratio [HR], 4.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36-16.75, P = .015), positive lymph nodes (HR, 6.75; 95% CI, 1.73-24.43, P = .006) were independently associated with recurrence. The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 53% (95% CI, 14.20-91.81%) for patients with Ki-67 ≥5% or (and) positive lymph nodes, while 95% (95% CI, 82.26-100%) for the patients without these 2 factors.Ki67 index and lymph node status are independently associated with recurrence after resection of well-differentiated NF-PNETs in this study.

National Trends in Readmission and Resource Utilization After Pancreatectomy in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatectomy is a complex operation that has been associated with excess morbidity and mortality. Although acute index outcomes have been characterized, there are limited data available on nonelective readmission after pancreatic surgery. We sought to identify factors associated with 30-day and 30- to 90-day readmission after pancreatectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We utilized the National Readmissions Database between 2010 and 2016 to identify adults who underwent a pancreatectomy. The primary outcomes were 30-day (30DR) and 30- to 90-day (90DR) readmission. Secondary outcomes included nonelective readmission trends, diagnosis, length of stay, charges, and mortality. RESULTS: Of an estimated 130,267 subjects undergoing pancreatectomy, 97% survived index hospitalization. Eighteen percent of patients had nonelective 30DR while 5.6% experienced 90DR. Readmission at the two time points remained stable during the study period. After adjusting for institution, pancreatectomy volume, mortality (2.0% versus 4.9%, P < 0.001), 30DR length of stay (7.3 d versus 7.8 d, P < 0.001), and 90DR rates (6.9% versus 8.1%, P = 0.003) were significantly decreased at high-volume pancreatectomy centers compared to low-volume hospitals. Discharge to a skilled nursing facility (AOR: 1.52) or with home health care (AOR: 1.2) was associated with 30DR (P < 0.001). Patients undergoing total pancreatectomy (AOR: 1.3) or those with a substance use disorder (AOR: 1.4) among others were associated with 90DR (P ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Readmissions are common and costly after pancreatectomy. Approximately 20% of patients experience readmission within 30 d. 30DR and 90DR rates remained stable during the study. Pancreatectomy at a high-volume center was associated with decreased mortality and 90DR. The present analysis confirms associations between pancreatectomy volume, postsurgical complications, comorbidities, and readmission.

Outcome and long-term quality of life after total pancreatectomy (PANORAMA): a nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The threshold to perform total pancreatectomy is rather high, predominantly because of concerns for long-term consequences of brittle diabetes on patients' quality of life. Contemporary data on postoperative outcomes, diabetes management, and long-term quality of life after total pancreatectomy from large nationwide series are, however, lacking. METHODS: We performed a nationwide, retrospective cohort study among adults who underwent total pancreatectomy in 17 Dutch centers (2006-2016). Morbidity and mortality were analyzed, and long-term quality of life was assessed cross-sectionally using the following generic and disease-specific questionnaires: the 5-level version European quality of life 5-dimension and the European Organization for Research and Treatment in Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Cancer. Several questionnaires specifically addressing diabetic quality of life included the Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale 20, the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire-status version, and the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey-II. Results were compared with the general population and patients with type 1 diabetes. RESULTS: Overall, 148 patients after total pancreatectomy were included. The annual nationwide volume of total pancreatectomy increased from 5 in 2006 to 32 in 2015 (P < .05). The 30-day and 90-day mortality were 5% and 8%, respectively. The major complication rate was 32%. Quality of life questionnaires were completed by 60 patients (85%, median follow-up of 36 months). Participants reported lower global (73 vs 78, P = .03) and daily health status (0.83 vs 0.87, P < .01) compared to the general population. Quality of life did not differ based on time after total pancreatectomy (<3, 3-5, or >5 years). In general, patients were satisfied with their diabetes therapy and experienced similar diabetes-related distress as patients with type 1 diabetes. CONCLUSION: This nationwide study found increased use of total pancreatectomy with a relatively high 90-day mortality. Long-term quality of life was lower compared to the general population, although differences were small. Diabetes-related distress and treatment satisfaction were similar to patients with type 1 diabetes.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of pancreas in a patient of situs inversus totalis.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) in a case of situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare occurrence with only one case being reported until now in the literature. SIT presents a technical challenge for the operating surgeon in view of the reversed anatomy hence the operating surgeon should orient himself of the altered anatomy of SIT before contemplating surgery. To the best of our knowledge, spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy in a patient of SPN with SIT has not been reported until now. We are reporting a case of SPN with SIT who underwent spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy.

Laparoscopic approach of the left side of the pancreas. / Abordaje laparoscópico del páncreas izquierdo.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic left-sided pancreatectomy (LLP) is an increasingly used surgical technique for the treatment of benign and malignant lesions of the left side of the pancreas. The results of LLP as a treatment for primary pancreatic lesions of the head and tail of the pancreas were evaluated. METHODS: From November 2011 to November 2017, 18 patients underwent surgery for primary lesions of the pancreas by means of a laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. An intra-abdominal drain tube was used in all cases, and the recommendations of the International Study Group for Pancreatic Fistula (ISGPF) were followed. RESULTS: The mean age was 66.5years (IQR 46-74). Among the 18 left pancreatectomies performed, four were with splenic preservation, and one was a central pancreatectomy. There were two conversions. The median surgical time was 247.5minutes (IQR 242-275). The median postoperative hospital stay was 7days (IQR 6-8). After 90days, complications were detected in five patients: three gradeII, one gradeIII and one gradeV according to the modified Clavien-Dindo classification. There was one gradeB pancreatic fistula, and four patients had to be readmitted to hospital because of peripancreatic collections. The anatomic pathology diagnosis was malignant neoplasm in 38.9% of cases, all of them with negative resection margins. CONCLUSIONS: LLP can be considered the technique of choice in the treatment of primary benign pancreatic lesions and an alternative to the open approach in selected patients diagnosed with malignant pancreatic lesions.

Geographical variance in reporting of elective surgery for chronic pancreatitis.

The selection of optimum surgical procedure from the range of reported operations for chronic pancreatitis (CP) can be difficult. The aim of this study is to explore geographical variation in reporting of elective surgery for CP. A systematic search of the literature was performed using the Scopus database for reports of five selected procedures for CP: duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection, total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT), Frey pancreaticojejunostomy, thoracoscopic splanchnotomy and the Izbicki V-shaped resection. The keyword and MESH heading 'chronic pancreatitis' was used. Overall, 144 papers met inclusion criteria and were utilized for data extraction. There were 33 reports of duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection. Twenty-one (64%) were from Germany. There were 60 reports of TPIAT, 53 (88%) from the USA. There are only two reports of TPIAT from outwith the USA and UK. The 34 reports of the Frey pancreaticojejunostomy originate from 12 countries. There were 20 reports of thoracoscopic splanchnotomy originating from nine countries. All three reports of the Izbicki 'V' procedure are from Germany. There is geographical variation in reporting of surgery for CP. There is a need for greater standardization in the selection and reporting of surgery for patients with painful CP.

Opportunity Lost? Diagnostic Laparoscopy in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database.

BACKGROUND: Routine preoperative staging in pancreas cancer is controversial. We sought to evaluate the rates of diagnostic laparoscopy (DLAP) for pancreatic cancer. METHODS: We queried the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for patients with pancreas cancer (2005-2013) and compared groups who underwent DLAP, exploratory laparotomy (XLAP), pancreas resection (RSXN) or therapeutic bypass (THBP). We compared demographics, comorbidities, postoperative complications, 30-day mortality (Chi-square P < 0.05) and trends over time (R2 0-1). RESULTS: We identified 17,138 patients (RSXN 81.8%, XLAP 16.5%, THBP 8.2%, and DLAP 12.9%), with some having multiple CPT codes. Only 10.3% (n = 1432) of RSXN patients underwent DLAP prior to resection. XLAP occurred in 49.5% of non-RSXN patients, of whom 67.1% had no other operation. The percentage of patients undergoing RSXN increased 20.3% over time (R2 0.81), while DLAP decreased 52.6% (R2 0.92). XLAP patients without other operations decreased from 4.2 to 2.4%, although not linearly (R2 0.31). Only 10.3% of XLAP had a diagnostic laparoscopy as well, leaving nearly 90% of these patients with an exploratory laparotomy without RSXN or THBP. DISCUSSION: Diagnostic laparoscopy for pancreas malignancy is becoming less common but could benefit a subset of patients who undergo open exploration without resection or therapeutic bypass.

Pancreatic Islet Transplantation in Humans: Recent Progress and Future Directions.

Pancreatic islet transplantation has become an established approach to ß-cell replacement therapy for the treatment of insulin-deficient diabetes. Recent progress in techniques for islet isolation, islet culture, and peritransplant management of the islet transplant recipient has resulted in substantial improvements in metabolic and safety outcomes for patients. For patients requiring total or subtotal pancreatectomy for benign disease of the pancreas, isolation of islets from the diseased pancreas with intrahepatic transplantation of autologous islets can prevent or ameliorate postsurgical diabetes, and for patients previously experiencing painful recurrent acute or chronic pancreatitis, quality of life is substantially improved. For patients with type 1 diabetes or insulin-deficient forms of pancreatogenic (type 3c) diabetes, isolation of islets from a deceased donor pancreas with intrahepatic transplantation of allogeneic islets can ameliorate problematic hypoglycemia, stabilize glycemic lability, and maintain on-target glycemic control, consequently with improved quality of life, and often without the requirement for insulin therapy. Because the metabolic benefits are dependent on the numbers of islets transplanted that survive engraftment, recipients of autoislets are limited to receive the number of islets isolated from their own pancreas, whereas recipients of alloislets may receive islets isolated from more than one donor pancreas. The development of alternative sources of islet cells for transplantation, whether from autologous, allogeneic, or xenogeneic tissues, is an active area of investigation that promises to expand access and indications for islet transplantation in the future treatment of diabetes.

The Evolution of Surgical Strategies for Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (Pan-NENs): Time-trend and Outcome Analysis From 587 Consecutive Resections at a High-volume Institution.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present analysis is 2-fold: first, to define the evolution of time trends on the surgical approach to pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (Pan-NENs); second, to perform a complete analysis of the predictors of oncologic outcome. BACKGROUND: Reflecting their rarity and heterogeneity, Pan-NENs represent a clinical dilemma. In particular, there is a scarcity of data regarding their long-term follow-up after surgical resection. METHODS: From the Institutional Pan-NEN database, 587 resected cases from 1990 to 2015 were extracted. The time span was arbitrarily divided into 3 discrete clusters enabling a balanced comparison between patient groups. Analyses for predictors of recurrence and survival were performed, together with conditional survival analyses. RESULTS: Among the 587 resected Pan-NENs, 75% were nonfunctioning tumors, and 5% were syndrome-associated tumors. The mean age was 54 years (±14 years), and 51% of the patients were female. The median tumor size was 20 mm (range 4 to 140), 62% were G1, 32% were G2, and 4% were G3 tumors. Time trends analysis revealed that the number of resected Pan-NENs constantly increased, while the size (from 25 to 20 mm) and G1 proportion (from 65% to 49%) decreased during the study period. After a mean follow-up of 75 months, recurrence analysis revealed that nonfunctioning tumors, tumor grade, N1 status, and vascular invasion were all independent predictors of recurrence. Regardless of size, G1 nonfunctioning tumors with no nodal involvement and vascular invasion had a negligible risk of recurrence at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Pan-NENs have been increasingly diagnosed and resected during the last 3 decades, revealing reliable predictors of outcome. Functioning and nodal status, tumor grade, and vascular invasion accurately predict survival and recurrence with resulting implications for patient follow-up.

Embedment of the gastroduodenal artery stump into the jejunal serosa: A new technique aiming to prevent post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage.

Post-pancreaticoduodenectomy hemorrhage has an estimated incidence of 5% and a mortality rate of 11-38%. Vascular erosion resulting from pancreatic leak and skeletonization of the arterial wall during pancreatic mobilization may be the two possible mechanisms responsible for this complication, which most commonly affects the gastroduodenal artery stump. A novel technique of wrapping up the gastroduodenal artery stump into the jejunal serosa to decrease postoperative hemorrhage is presented.

Time to think: Selecting patients who may benefit from synchronous resection of primary pancreatic cancer and liver metastases.

Pancreatic cancer remains a lethal disease and is associated with poor prognosis, particularly for patients with distant metastasis at diagnosis. Recently, Oweira reported a retrospective study that included 13233 metastatic pancreatic cancer patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database. They demonstrated that pancreatic cancer patients with isolated liver metastases had worse outcomes than patients with isolated lung metastases or distant nodal metastases. At present, the standard treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer is chemotherapy. However, improvement in the safety of pancreatic surgery has led to the consideration of more aggressive surgical approaches. Schneitler reported two cases of hepatic metastatic pancreatic cancer in which negative margin (R0) resection and long survival were achieved after effective preoperative chemotherapy. In general, these two studies indicate that although pancreatic cancer patients with liver metastasis have a poor prognosis, surgical approaches may prolong survival for a few of these patients. A strategy to select hepatic metastatic pancreatic cancer patients who may benefit from surgical intervention is urgently needed.