Postoperative results, pathologic outcome, and long-term patency rate of autologous vein reconstruction of the mesentericoportal axis after pancreatectomy

Surgical Outcome After Distal Pancreatectomy With and Without Portomesenteric Venous Resection in Patients with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Transatlantic Evaluation of Patients in North America, Germany, Sweden, and The Netherlands (GAPASURG)

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma located in the pancreatic body might require a portomesenteric venous resection (PVR), but data regarding surgical risks after distal pancreatectomy (DP) with PVR are sparse. Insight into additional surgical risks of DP-PVR could support preoperative counseling and intraoperative decision making. This study aimed to provide insight into the surgical outcome of DP-PVR, including its potential risk elevation over standard DP.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study including all patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent DP ± PVR (2018-2020), registered in four audits for pancreatic surgery from North America, Germany, Sweden, and The Netherlands. Patients who underwent concomitant arterial and/or multivisceral resection(s) were excluded. Predictors for in-hospital/30-day major morbidity and mortality were investigated by logistic regression, correcting for each audit.

RESULTS

Overall, 2924 patients after DP were included, of whom 241 patients (8.2%) underwent DP-PVR. Rates of major morbidity (24% vs. 18%; p = 0.024) and post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage grade B/C (10% vs. 3%; p = 0.041) were higher after DP-PVR compared with standard DP. Mortality after DP-PVR and standard DP did not differ significantly (2% vs. 1%; p = 0.542). Predictors for major morbidity were PVR (odds ratio [OR] 1.500, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.086-2.071) and conversion from minimally invasive to open surgery (OR 1.420, 95% CI 1.032-1.970). Predictors for mortality were higher age (OR 1.087, 95% CI 1.045-1.132), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 4.167, 95% CI 1.852-9.374), and conversion from minimally invasive to open surgery (OR 2.919, 95% CI 1.197-7.118), whereas concomitant PVR was not associated with mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

PVR during DP for pancreatic adenocarcinoma in the pancreatic body is associated with increased morbidity, but can be performed safely in terms of mortality.

Surgical Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer: Currently Debated Topics on Vascular Resection

Vascular resections involving the superior mesenteric and portal veins (SMV-PV), celiac axis (CA), superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and hepatic artery (HA) have multiplied in recent years, raising the resection rate for pancreatic cancer (PDAC) and the related morbidity and mortality rates. While resection is generally accepted for resectable SMV-PV, the usefulness of associated arterial resection in borderline resectable (BRPC) and locally-advanced PDAC (LAPC) is much debated. Careful selection of splenic vein reconstruction is very important to prevent left-sided portal hypertension (LSPH). During distal pancreatectomy (DP), CA and common HA resection is largely accepted, while there is debate on the value of SMA and proper HA resection and reconstruction. Their resection is useless according to several reviews and meta-analyses, and some international societies, although some high-volume centers have reported good results. Short- and long-term reconstructed vessel patency varies with the type of reconstruction, the material used, and the surgeon's experience. Laparoscopic and robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy and DP are generally accepted if done by surgeons performing at least 10 such procedures annually. The usefulness of associated vascular resection remains highly controversial. Surgeons need to complete numerous minimally-invasive procedures to overcome the learning curve, and prevent an increase in complications and surgical mortality. Higher resectability rates and satisfactory long-term results have been reported after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for BRPC and LAPC requiring vascular resection. It is essential to select the most appropriate NAT for a given patient and to assess PDAC resectability preoperatively.

Vascular Resection in Pancreatectomy-Is It Safe and Useful for Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease with poor prognosis and increased incidence. Surgical resection R0 remains the most important treatment to prolong survival in PDAC patients. In borderline and locally advanced cancer, vascular resection and reconstruction during pancreatectomy enables achieving R0 resection. This study is a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the role of venous and arterial resection with vascular reconstruction in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The literature review is focused on the use of venous and arterial resection with immediate vascular reconstruction in pancreaticoduodenectomy. Different types of venous and arterial resections are widely described. Different methods of vascular reconstructions, from primary vessel closure, through end-to-end vascular anastomosis, to interposition grafts with use autologous veins (internal jugular vein, saphenous vein, superficial femoral vein, external or internal iliac veins, inferior mesenteric vein, and left renal vein or gonadal vein), autologous substitute grafts constructed from various parts of parietal peritoneum including falciform ligament, cryopreserved and synthetic allografts. The most attention was given to the most common venous reconstructions, such as end-to-end anastomosis and interposition graft with the use of an autologous vein. Moreover, we presented mortality and morbidity rates as well as vascular patency and survival following pancreatectomy combined with vascular resection reported in cited articles.