ctDNA whole exome sequencing in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma unveils organ-dependent metastatic mechanisms and identifies actionable alterations in fast progressing patients

Understanding progression mechanisms and developing new targeted therapies is imperative in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In this study, 80 metastatic PDAC patients were prospectively recruited and divided into discovery (n=37) and validation (n=43) cohorts. Tumor and plasma samples taken at diagnosis were pair analyzed using whole exome sequencing (WES) in patients belonging to the discovery cohort alone. The variant allele frequency (VAF) of KRAS mutations was measured by ddPCR in plasma at baseline and response assessment in all patients. Plasma WES identified at least one pathogenic variant across the cohort, uncovering oncogenic mechanisms, DNA repair, microsatellite instability, and alterations in the TGFb pathway. Interestingly, actionable mutations were mostly found in plasma rather than tissue. Patients with shorter survival showed enrichment in cellular organization regulatory pathways. Through WES we could identify a specific molecular profile of patients with liver metastasis, which exhibited exclusive mutations in genes related to the adaptive immune response pathway, highlighting the importance of the immune system in liver metastasis development. Moreover, KRAS mutations in plasma (both at diagnosis and persistent at follow-up) correlated with shorter progression free survival (PFS). Patients presenting a reduction of over 84.75 % in KRAS VAF at response assessment had similar PFS to KRAS-negative patients. Overall, plasma WES reveals molecular profiles indicative of rapid progression, potentially actionable targets, and associations between adaptive immune response pathway alterations and liver tropism.

Textbook outcome in patients with biliary duct injury during cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Iatrogenic bile duct injury (BDI) during cholecystectomy is associated with a complex and heterogeneous management owing to the burden of morbidity until their definitive treatment. This study aimed to define the textbook outcomes (TOs) after BDI with the purpose to indicate the ideal treatment and to improve it management.

METHODS

We collected data from patients with an BDI between 1990 and 2022 from 27 hospitals. TO was defined as a successful conservative treatment of the iatrogenic BDI or only minor complications after BDI or patients in whom the first repair resolves the iatrogenic BDI without complications or with minor complications.

RESULTS

We included 808 patients and a total of 394 patients (46.9%) achieved TO. Overall complications in TO and non-TO groups were 11.9% and 86%, respectively (P < .001). Major complications and mortality in the non-TO group were 57.4% and 9.2%, respectively. The use of end-to-end bile duct anastomosis repair was higher in the non-TO group (23.1 vs 7.8, P < .001). Factors associated with achieving a TO were injury in a specialized center (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.01; 95% CI, 2.68-5.99; P < .001), transfer for a first repair (aOR, 5.72; 95% CI, 3.51-9.34; P < .001), conservative management (aOR, 5.00; 95% CI, 1.63-15.36; P = .005), or surgical management (aOR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.50-4.00; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

TO largely depends on where the BDI is managed and the type of injury. It allows hepatobiliary centers to identify domains of improvement of perioperative management of patients with BDI.

Short- and long-term outcomes after distal pancreatectomy with radiologic infiltration of splenic vessels for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The effect of radiologic splenic vessels involvement (RSVI) on the survival of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) located in the body and tail of the pancreas is controversial, and its influence on postoperative morbidity after distal pancreatectomy (DP) is unknown. This study aimed to determine the influence of RSVI on postoperative complications, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients undergoing DP for PAC.

METHODS

A multicenter retrospective study of DP was conducted at 7 hepatopancreatobiliary units between January 2008 and December 2018. Patients were classified according to the presence of RSVI. A Clavien-Dindo grade of >II was considered to represent a major complication.

RESULTS

A total of 95 patients were included in the analysis. Moreover, 47 patients had vascular infiltration: 4 had arterial involvement, 10 had venous involvement, and 33 had both arterial and venous involvements. The rates of major complications were 20.8% in patients without RSVI, 40.0% in those with venous RSVI, 25.0% in those with arterial RSVI, and 30.3% in those with both arterial and venous RSVIs (P = .024). The DFS rates at 3 years were 56% in the group without RSVI, 50% in the group with arterial RSVI, and 16% in the group with both arterial and venous RSVIs (P = .003). The OS rates at 3 years were 66% in the group without RSVI, 50% in the group with arterial RSVI, and 29% in the group with both arterial and venous RSVIs (P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

RSVI increased the major complication rates after DP and reduced the OS and DFS. Therefore, it may be a useful prognostic marker in patients with PAC scheduled to undergo DP and may help to select patients likely to benefit from neoadjuvant treatment.

Textbook outcome in distal pancreatectomy: A multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Textbook outcome is an interesting quality metrics tool. Information on textbook outcomes in distal pancreatectomy is very scarce. In this study we determined textbook outcome in a distal pancreatectomy multicenter database and propose a specific definition of textbook outcome-distal pancreatectomy that includes pancreatic fistula.

METHODS

Retrospective multicenter observational study of distal pancreatectomy performed at 8 hepatopancreatobiliary surgery units from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2018. The inclusion criteria were any scheduled distal pancreatectomy performed for any diagnosis and age > 18 years. Specific textbook outcome-distal pancreatectomy was defined as hospital stay P < 75, no Clavien-Dindo complications (≥ III), no hospital mortality, and no readmission recorded at 90 days, and the absence of pancreatic fistula (B/C).

RESULTS

Of the 450 patients included, 262 (58.2%) obtained textbook outcomes. Prolonged stay was the parameter most frequently associated with failure to achieve textbook outcomes. The textbook outcome group presented the following results. Preoperative: lower American Society of Anesthesiologists score < III, a lower percentage of smokers, and less frequent tumor invasion of neighboring organs or vascular invasion; operative: major laparoscopic approach, and less resection of neighboring organs and less operative transfusion; postoperative: lower percentage of delayed gastric emptying and pancreatic fistula B/C, and diagnosis other an adenocarcinoma. In the multivariate study, the American Society of Anesthesiologists score > II, resection of neighboring organs, B/C pancreatic fistula, and delayed gastric emptying were associated with failure to achieve textbook outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The textbook outcome rate in our 450 pancreaticoduodenectomies was 58.2%. In the multivariate analysis, the causes of failure to achieve textbook outcomes were American Society of Anesthesiologists score > II, resection of neighboring organs, pancreatic fistula B/C, and delayed gastric emptying. We believe that pancreatic fistula should be added to the specific definition of textbook outcome-distal pancreatectomy because it is the most frequent complication of this procedure.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas: Multicenter Vasepa study

INTRODUCTION

Solid pseudopapillary tumors (SPT) of the pancreas are rare exocrine neoplasms of the pancreas. Correct preoperative diagnosis is not always feasible. The treatment of choice is surgical excision. These tumors have a good prognosis with a high disease-free survival rate.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinicopathological and radiological characteristics as well as short- and long-term follow-up results of patients who have undergone SPT resection.

METHODS

Multicenter retrospective observational study in patients with SPT who had undergone surgery from January 2000-January 2022. We have studied preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables as well as the follow-up results (mean 28 months).

RESULTS

20 patients with histological diagnosis of SPT in the surgical specimen were included. 90% were women; mean age was 33.5 years (13-67); 50% were asymptomatic. CT was the most used diagnostic test (90%). The most frequent location was body-tail (60%). Preoperative biopsy was performed in 13 patients (65%), which was correct in 8 patients. Surgeries performed: 7 distal pancreatectomies, 6 pancreaticoduodenectomies, 4 central pancreatectomies, 2 enucleations, and 1 total pancreatectomy. The R0 rate was 95%. Four patients presented major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo > II). Mean tumor size was 81 mm. Only one patient received adjuvant chemotherapy. With a mean follow-up of 28 months, 5-year disease-free survival was 95%.

CONCLUSION

SPT are large, usually located in the body-tail of the pancreas, and more frequent in women. The R0 rate obtained in our series is very high (95%). The oncological results are excellent.

Evaluation of the validated intraoperative bleeding scale in liver surgery: study protocol for a multicenter prospective study

Background

Surgical hemostasis has become one of the key principles in the advancement of surgery. Hemostatic agents are commonly administered in many surgical specialties, although the lack of consensus on the definition of intraoperative bleeding or of a standardized system for its classification means that often the most suitable agent is not selected. The recommendations of international organizations highlight the need for a bleeding severity scale, validated in clinical studies, that would allow the selection of the best hemostatic agent in each case. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the VIBe scale (Validated Intraoperative Bleeding Scale) in humans. Secondary objectives are to evaluate the scale's usefulness in liver surgery; to determine the relationship between the extent of bleeding and the hemostatic agent used; and to assess the relationship between the grade of bleeding and postoperative complications.

Methods

Prospective multicenter observational study including 259 liver resections that meet the inclusion criteria: patients scheduled for liver surgery at one of 10 medium-high volume Spanish HPB centers using an open or minimally invasive approach (robotic/laparoscopic/hybrid), regardless of diagnosis, ASA score <4, age ≥18, and who provide signed informed consent during the study period (September 2023 until the required sample size has been recruited). The participating researchers will be responsible for collecting the data and for reporting them to the study coordinators.

Discussion

This study will allow us to evaluate the VIBe scale for intraoperative bleeding in humans, with a view to its subsequent incorporation in daily clinical practice.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05369988?term = serradilla&draw = 2&rank = 3, [NCT0536998].

Clinical decisions in pancreatic cancer surgery: a national survey and case-vignette study

Very few surveys have been carried out of oncosurgical decisions made in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC), or of the possible differences in therapeutic approaches between low/medium and high-volume centers. A survey was sent out to centers affiliated to the Spanish Group of Pancreatic Surgery (GECP) asking about their usual pre-, intra- and post-operative management of PC patients and describing five imaginary cases of PC corresponding to common scenarios that surgeons regularly assess in oncosurgical meetings. A consensus was considered to have been reached when 80% of the answers coincided. We received 69 responses from the 72 GECP centers (response rate 96%). Pre-operative management: consensus was obtained on 7/16 questions (43.75%) with no significant differences between low- vs high-volume centers. Intra-operative: consensus was obtained on 11/28 questions (39.3%). D2 lymphadenectomy, biliary culture, intra-operative biliary margin study, pancreatojejunostomy, and two loops were significantly more frequent in high-volume hospitals (p < 0.05). Post-operative: consensus was obtained on 2/8 questions (25%). No significant differences were found between low-/medium- vs high-volume hospitals. Of the 41 questions asked regarding the cases, consensus was reached on 22 (53.7%). No differences in the responses were found according to the type of hospital. Management and cases: consensus was reached in 42/93 questions (45.2%). At GECP centers, consensus was obtained on 45% of the questions. Only 5% of the answers differed between low/medium and high-volume centers (all intra-operative). A more specific assessment of why high-volume centers obtain the best results would require the design of complex prospective studies able to measure the therapeutic decisions made and the effectiveness of their execution. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04755036.

Radiofrequency-assisted transection of the pancreas versus stapler in distal pancreatectomy: study protocol for a multicentric randomised clinical trial (TRANSPAIRE)

INTRODUCTION

To date, no pancreatic stump closure technique has been shown to be superior to any other in distal pancreatectomy. Although several studies have shown a trend towards better results in transection using a radiofrequency device (radiofrequency-assisted transection (RFT)), no randomised trial for this purpose has been performed to date. Therefore, we designed a randomised clinical trial, with the hypothesis that this technique used in distal pancreatectomies is superior in reducing clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) than mechanical closures.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

TRANSPAIRE is a multicentre randomised controlled trial conducted in seven Spanish pancreatic centres that includes 112 patients undergoing elective distal pancreatectomy for any indication who will be randomly assigned to RFT or classic stapler transections (control group) in a ratio of 1:1. The primary outcome is the CR-POPF percentage. Sample size is calculated with the following assumptions: 5% one-sided significance level (α), 80% power (1-β), expected POPF in control group of 32%, expected POPF in RFT group of 10% and a clinically relevant difference of 22%. Secondary outcomes include postoperative results, complications, radiological evaluation of the pancreatic stump, metabolomic profile of postoperative peritoneal fluid, survival and quality of life. Follow-ups will be carried out in the external consultation at 1, 6 and 12 months postoperatively.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

TRANSPAIRE has been approved by the CEIM-PSMAR Ethics Committee. This project is being carried out in accordance with national and international guidelines, the basic principles of protection of human rights and dignity established in the Declaration of Helsinki (64th General Assembly, Fortaleza, Brazil, October 2013), and in accordance with regulations in studies with biological samples, Law 14/2007 on Biomedical Research will be followed. We have defined a dissemination strategy, whose main objective is the participation of stakeholders and the transfer of knowledge to support the exploitation of activities.

REGISTRATION DETAILS

ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT04402346).

Vascular injury during cholecystectomy: A multicenter critical analysis behind the drama

BACKGROUND

The management of a vascular injury during cholecystectomy is still very complicated, especially in centers not specialized in complex hepatobiliary surgery.

METHODS

This was a multi-institutional retrospective study in patients with vascular injuries during cholecystectomy from 18 centers in 4 countries. The aim of the study was to analyze the management of vascular injuries focusing on referral, time to perform the repair, and different treatments options outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 104 patients were included. Twenty-nine patients underwent vascular repair (27.9%), 13 (12.5%) liver resection, and 1 liver transplant as a first treatment. Eighty-four (80.4%) vascular and biliary injuries occurred in nonspecialized centers and 45 (53.6%) were immediately transferred. Intraoperative diagnosed injuries were rare in referred patients (18% vs 84%, P = .001). The patients managed at the hospital where the injury occurred had a higher number of reoperations (64% vs 20%, P ˂ .001). The need for vascular reconstruction was associated with higher mortality (P = .04). Two of the 4 patients transplanted died.

CONCLUSION

Vascular lesions during cholecystectomy are a potentially life-threatening complication. Management of referral to specialized centers to perform multiple complex multidisciplinary procedures should be mandatory. Late vascular repair has not shown to be associated with worse results.

Applicability and reproducibility of the validated intraoperative bleeding severity scale (VIBe scale) in liver surgery: A multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Bleeding is an intraoperative and postoperative complication of liver surgery of concern, and yet evidence to support utility and reproducibility of bleeding scales for liver surgery is limited. We determined the reproducibility of the clinician-reported validated intraoperative bleeding severity scale and its clinical value of implementation in liver surgery.

METHODS

In this descriptive and observational multicenter study, we assessed the performance of liver surgeons instructed on the clinician-reported intraoperative bleeding severity scale using training videos that covered all 5 grades of bleeding severity. Surgeons were stratified according to years of surgical experience and number of surgeries performed per year based on a median split in low and high values. Intraobserver and interobserver agreement was assessed using Kendall's coefficient of concordance (Kendall's W).

RESULTS

Forty-seven surgeons from 10 hospitals in Spain participated in the study. The overall intraobserver concordance was 0.985, and the overall interobserver concordance was 0.929. For "high experience" surgeons, the intraobserver and interobserver agreement values were 0.990 and 0.941, respectively. For "low experience" surgeons, the intraobserver and interobserver agreement was 0.981 and 0.922, respectively. Regarding the annual number of surgeries, intraobserver and interobserver agreement values were 0.995 and 0.940, respectively, for surgeons performing >35 surgeries per year, with 0.979 and 0.923, respectively, for surgeons who perform ≤35 surgeries year.

CONCLUSION

The clinician-reported intraoperative bleeding severity scale shows high interobserver and intraobserver concordance, suggesting it is a useful tool for assessing severity of bleeding during liver surgery; years of surgical experience and number of annual procedures performed did not affect the applicability of the clinician-reported intraoperative bleeding severity scale.

Preoperative hepatic artery embolization before distal pancreatectomy plus celiac axis resection does not improve surgical results: A Spanish multicentre study

BACKGROUND

Distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection (DP-CAR) is a surgical procedure with high morbidity and mortality performed in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Preoperative embolization of hepatic artery (PHAE) has been postulated as a technical option to increase resection rate.

OBJECTIVE

comparison of morbidity and mortality at 90 days, operative time, hospital stay and survival between patients that performed DP-CAR with and without PHAE.

METHODS

Observational retrospective multicentre study.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

patient operated in Spanish centers with DP-CAR for pancreatic cancer from April 2004 until 23 June 2018. Preoperative (PHAE, neodjuvant treatment), intraoperative (operative time and blood loss) and postoperative data (morbidity, hospital stay, R0 and survival) were studied. Complications were measured with Clavien classification at 90 days. Specific pancreatic complications were measured using ISGPS classifications. Data were analyzed using R version 3.1.3 (http://www.r-project.org). Level of significance was set at 0.05.

RESULTS

41 patients were studied. 26 patients were not embolized (NO-PHAE group) and 15 patients received PHAE. Preoperative BMI and percentage of neoadjuvant chemotherapy were the only preoperative variables different between both groups. The operative time in the PHAE group was shorter (343 min) than in the non-PHAE group (411 min) (p < 0.06). Major morbidity (Clavien > IIIa) and mortality at 90 days were higher in the PHAE group than in the non-PHAE group (60% vs 23% and 26.6% vs 11.6% respectively) (p < 0.004). No statistical difference in overall survival was observed between both groups (p = 0.14).

CONCLUSION

In our study PHAE is not related with less postoperative morbidity. Even more, major morbidity (Clavien III-IV) and mortality was higher in PHAE group.

Next-generation three-dimensional modelling software for personalized surgery decision-making in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: multicentre study

Next-generation three-dimensional modelling software for personalized surgery allows spatially accurate depiction of the hepatic and vasculature anatomy based on the complexity and individual variation in each patient, and could facilitate decision-making about preoperative strategy in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

What does preoperative three-dimensional image contribute to complex pancreatic surgery?

The possibility of modelling diagnostic images in three dimensions (3D) in pancreatic surgery is a novelty that provides us multiple advantages. A better visualization of the structures allows us a more accurate planning of the surgical technique and makes it easier the surgery in complex cases. We present the case study of a borderline pancreatic head adenocarcinoma patient to illustrate the advantages of 3D modelling in complex pancreatic surgery. The help of 3D technology allowed us to optimally plan the intervention and facilitate surgical resection. The use of this tool could translate into: shorter operative time, fewer intraoperative complications or an increase in R0 resections. The usability of the program used in our case, agile and intuitive, was an added advantage.

Surgical treatment of an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the biliary tract diagnosed by SpyGlass®

We present the case of a 76-year-old male with a history of acute cholecystitis who underwent a scheduled laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Chronic cholecystitis with a thickened cystic duct was observed intraoperatively. The anatomic pathology report found high-grade dysplasia that affected the distal edge of the cystic duct. In view of these findings, an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed with SpyGlass® and an excrescent lesion suggestive of malignancy adjacent to the cystic-common bile duct junction was observed. A resection of the extrahepatic bile duct was performed with lymphadenectomy of the hepatic hilum and hepaticojejunostomy in a subsequent procedure. The definitive pathology report confirmed pancreaticobiliary intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia with high-grade dysplasia and free margins.

Non-arbitrary minimum threshold of yearly performed pancreatoduodenectomies: National multicentric study

BACKGROUND

Annual hospital volume of pancreatoduodenectomies could influence postoperative outcomes. The aim of this study is to establish with a non-arbitrary method the minimum threshold of yearly performed pancreatoduodenectomies in order to improve several postoperative quality outcomes.

METHOD

Prospective follow-up of patients submitted to pancreatoduodenectomy in participating hospitals during 1 year. The influence of hospital volume on quality outcomes was analyzed by univariable and multivariable models. The minimum threshold of yearly performed pancreatoduodenectomies to improve outcomes was established by Akaike's information criteria.

RESULTS

Data from 877 patients operated in 74 hospitals were analyzed. Of 12 quality outcomes, 9 were influenced by hospital pancreatoduodenectomy volume on multivariable analysis. To decrease the risk of complications and the risk of retrieving an insufficient number of lymph nodes at least 31 pancreatoduodenectomies per year should be performed. To decrease the risk of prolonged length of stay, postoperative death, and affected surgical margins, at least 37, 6, and 14 pancreatoduodenectomies per year should be performed, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Several postoperative quality outcomes are influenced by the number of yearly performed pancreatoduodenectomies and could be improved by establishing a minimum threshold of procedures. Number of procedures needed to improve quality outcomes has been established by a non-arbitrary method.

Circulating Tumor DNA Detection by Digital-Droplet PCR in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Systematic Review

Simple Summary

Pancreatic cancer is a digestive tumor that is most difficult to treat and carries one of the worst prognoses. The anatomical location of the pancreas makes it very difficult to obtain enough tumor material to establish a molecular diagnosis, so knowing the biology of this tumor and implementing new targeted-therapies is still a pending issue. The use of liquid biopsy, a blood sample test to detect circulating-tumor DNA fragments (ctDNA), is key to overcoming this difficulty and improving the evolution of this tumor. Liquid biopsies are equally representative of the tissue from which they come and allow relevant molecular and diagnostic information to be obtained in a faster and less invasive way. One challenge related to ctDNA is the lack of consistency in the study design. Moreover, ctDNA accounts for only a small percentage of the total cell-free circulating DNA and prior knowledge about particular mutations is usually required. Thus, our aim was to understand the current role and future perspectives of ctDNA in pancreatic cancer using digital-droplet PCR technology.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most devastating malignant tumors, being the seventh leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Researchers and clinicians are endeavoring to develop strategies for the early detection of the disease and the improvement of treatment results. Adequate biopsy is still challenging because of the pancreas’s poor anatomic location. Recently, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) could be identified as a liquid biopsy tool with huge potential as a non-invasive biomarker in early diagnosis, prognosis and management of PC. ctDNA is released from apoptotic and necrotic cancer cells, as well as from living tumor cells and even circulating tumor cells, and it can reveal genetic and epigenetic alterations with tumor-specific and individual mutation and methylation profiles. However, ctDNA sensibility remains a limitation and the accuracy of ctDNA as a biomarker for PC is relatively low and cannot be currently used as a screening or diagnostic tool. Increasing evidence suggests that ctDNA is an interesting biomarker for predictive or prognosis studies, evaluating minimal residual disease, longitudinal follow-up and treatment management. Promising results have been published and therefore the objective of our review is to understand the current role and the future perspectives of ctDNA in PC.

Spanish multicenter study of surgical resection of pancreatic tumors infiltrating the celiac axis: does the type of pancreatectomy affect results?

BACKGROUND

Pancreatectomy plus celiac axis resection (CAR) is performed in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The morbidity rates are high, and no survival benefit has been confirmed. It is not known at present whether it is the type of pancreatectomy, or CAR itself, that is the reason for the high complication rates.

METHODS

Observational retrospective multicenter study.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

patient undergoing TP, PD or DP plus CAR for a pancreatic cancer.

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients who had undergone pancreatic cancer surgery (PD,TP or DP) plus CAR were studied. Group 1: 17 patients who underwent PD/TP-CAR (13TP/4PD); group 2: 45 patients who underwent DP-CAR. Groups were mostly homogeneous. Operating time was longer in the PD/TP group, while operative complications did not differ statistically in the two groups. The number of lymph nodes removed was higher in the PD/TP group (26.5 vs 17.3), and this group also had a higher positive node ratio (17.9% vs 7.6%). There were no statistical differences in total or disease-free survival between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

It seems that CAR, and not the type of pancreatectomy, influences morbidity and mortality in this type of surgery. International multicenter studies with larger numbers of patients are now needed to validate the data presented here.

What does preoperative three-dimensional image contribute to complex pancreatic surgery?

The possibility of modelling diagnostic images in three dimensions (3D) in pancreatic surgery is a novelty that provides us multiple advantages. A better visualization of the structures allows us a more accurate planning of the surgical technique and makes it easier the surgery in complex cases. We present the case study of a borderline pancreatic head adenocarcinoma patient to illustrate the advantages of 3D modelling in complex pancreatic surgery. The help of 3D technology allowed us to optimally plan the intervention and facilitate surgical resection. The use of this tool could translate into: shorter operative time, fewer intraoperative complications or an increase in R0 resections. The usability of the program used in our case, agile and intuitive, was an added advantage.

Neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced unresectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer: oncological outcomes at a single academic centre

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic cancer (PC), even in the absence of metastatic disease, has a dismal prognosis. One-third of them are borderline resectable (BRPC) or locally advanced unresectable PC (LAUPC) at diagnosis. There are limited prospective data supporting the best approach on these tumours. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (ChT) is being increasingly used in this setting.

METHODS

This is a retrospective series of consecutive patients staged as BRPC or LAUPC after discussion in the multidisciplinary board (MDB) at an academic centre. All received neoadjuvant ChT, followed by chemoradiation (ChRT) in some cases, and those achieving enough downstaging had a curative-intent surgery. Descriptive data about patient's characteristics, neoadjuvant treatments, toxicities, curative resections, postoperative complications, pathology reports and adjuvant treatment were collected. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival was calculated with Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test.

RESULTS

Between August 2011 and July 2019, 49 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and all of them received neoadjuvant ChT. Fluorouracil+folinic acid, irinotecan and oxaliplatin was the most frequently used scheme (77%). The most prevalent grade 3 or 4 toxicities were neutropenia (26.5%), neurotoxicity (12.2%), diarrhoea (8.2%) and nausea (8.2%). 18 patients (36.7%) received ChRT thereafter. In total, 22 patients (44,9%) became potentially resectable and 19 of them had an R0 or R1 pancreatic resection. One was found to be unresectable at surgery and two refused surgery. A vascular resection was required in 7 (35%). No postoperative deaths were observed. Postoperative ChT was given to 12 (66.7%) of resected patients. Median OS of the whole cohort was 24,9 months (95% CI 14.1 to 35.7), with 30.6 months for resected and 13.1 months for non-resected patients, respectively (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

A neoadjuvant approach in BRPC and LAUPC was well tolerated and allowed a curative resection in 38.8% of them with a potential improvement on OS.

Acute cholecystitis in elderly and high-risk surgical patients: is percutaneous cholecystostomy preferable to emergency cholecystectomy?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) for the treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) has better results than emergency cholecystectomy (EC) in elderly and high-risk surgical patients.

METHODS

Patients ≥ 70 years and/or ≥ ASA-PS 3 with ACC treated with PC or EC between 2005 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Both techniques were compared regarding morbi-mortality, hospital stay, complications and readmissions. A subgroup analysis in higher risk patients (≥ 70 years plus ≥ ASA-PS 3) was also performed. A binary logistic regression analysis for outcome variables to calculate the OR was carried out.

RESULTS

A total of 461 patients were included in the study. The results of PC were worse compared to EC: 30-day mortality (8.6 vs. 1.7%, OR 18.4), 90-day mortality (10.4 vs. 2.1%, OR 10.3), length of stay (days) (13.21 ± 8.2 vs. 7.48 ± 7.67, OR 8.7) and readmission rate (35.1 vs. 12.6%, OR 4.7). Complications were lower for PC (14 vs. 22.6%, OR 0.41), but there were no significant differences in the number of severe complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ III). Higher-risk subgroup analysis (n = 193; PC = 128, EC = 65) showed similar results to the whole series. Patients with ACC for more than 3 days had more risk of severe complications in both groups (OR 2.26; OR 2.76).

CONCLUSION

PC was associated with an increased risk of mortality at 30 and 90 days, more readmissions and longer hospital stay. Although PC presents a lower risk of complications, the percentage of severe complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ III) does not show significant differences.