Laparoscopic lateral pancreaticojejunostomy: an evolution to endostapled technique

Surgical Perspectives of Open vs. Laparoscopic Approaches to Lateral Pancreaticojejunostomy: A Comprehensive Review

Pancreaticojejunostomy, a critical step in pancreatic surgery, has significantly evolved surgical approaches, including open, laparoscopic, and robotic techniques. This comprehensive review explores open surgery's historical success, advantages, and disadvantages, emphasizing surgeons' accrued experience and familiarity with this approach. However, heightened morbidity and prolonged recovery associated with open pancreaticojejunostomy underscore the need for a nuanced evaluation of alternatives. The advent of robotic-assisted surgery introduces a paradigm shift in pancreatic procedures. Enhanced dexterity, facilitated by wristed instruments, allows intricate suturing and precise tissue manipulation crucial in pancreatic surgery. Three-dimensional visualization augments surgeon perception, improving spatial orientation and anastomotic alignment. Moreover, the potential for a reduced learning curve may enhance accessibility, especially for surgeons transitioning from open techniques. Emerging technologies, including advanced imaging modalities and artificial intelligence, present promising avenues for refining both open and minimally invasive approaches. The ongoing pursuit of optimal outcomes mandates a judicious consideration of surgical techniques, incorporating technological advancements to navigate challenges and enhance patient care in pancreaticojejunostomy.

Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic longitudinal pancreatojejunostomy and modified Frey's procedure for patients of chronic pancreatitis: A 10-year experience

INTRODUCTION

To mitigate the morbidity associated with open procedures for chronic pancreatitis (CP), there is a paradigm shift towards the laparoscopic approach. However, since these procedures are technically demanding, literature is still limited. We present our experience and long-term outcomes in the management of CP with laparoscopic surgical procedures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective observational study of patients who underwent a laparoscopic surgery for CP between 2009 and 2019. Pain scores using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were compared pre- and postoperatively. In patients with diabetes, the pre- and post-operative insulin requirement was compared.

RESULTS

Data of 62 patients were analysed. The mean duration of follow-up was 69 (±22) months. All patients had pain relief post-surgery. The relief of pain was sustained, with the median VAS scores being 1 at 3- and 5-year follow-up. There was a decrease in the median insulin requirement of diabetic patients, which was significant at 3-month and 1-year follow-up ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that laparoscopic surgical procedures offer long-term pain control with low morbidity. Effective ductal decompression may result in a short-term improvement of the endocrine function of the gland.

Changing trends in the minimally invasive surgery for chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a debilitating pancreatic inflammatory disease characterized by intractable pain resulting in poor quality of life. Conventional management of pancreatic pain consists of a step-up approach with medications and lifestyle modifications followed by endoscopic intervention. Traditionally surgery is reserved for patients who do not improve with other interventions. However, recent studies suggest that early surgical intervention is more beneficial as it can mitigate the progression of the pathological process and prevent loss of pancreatic function. Despite the widespread adoption of minimally invasive approaches in various gastrointestinal surgical disorders, minimally invasive surgery for chronic pancreatitis is slow to evolve. Technical difficulty due to severe inflammatory changes has been the major impediment to the widespread usage of minimally invasive surgery in chronic pancreatitis. With this background, the present review aimed to critically analyze the available evidence on the minimally invasive treatment of chronic pancreatitis. A Pub Med search of all relevant articles was performed using the appropriate keywords, parentheses, and Boolean operators. Most initial laparoscopic series have reported the feasibility of lateral pancreaticojejunostomy, considered an adequate procedure only in a small proportion of patients. The pancreatic head is the pacemaker of pain, so adequate decompression is critical for long-term pain relief. Recent studies have documented the feasibility of minimally invasive duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection. With improvements in laparoscopic instrumentation and technological advances, minimally invasive surgery for chronic pancreatitis is gaining momentum. However, more high-quality evidence is required to document the superiority of minimally invasive surgery for chronic pancreatitis.

‘Short’ pancreaticojejunostomy might be a valid option for treatment of chronic pancreatitis in many cases

BACKGROUND

The Partington-Rochelle pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) is an essential management option for patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) associated with intractable pain and a dilated pancreatic duct (PD). Wide ductotomy and long PJ (L-PJ) have been advocated as the standard of care to ensure full PD decompression. However, the role of short PJ (S-PJ) in a uniformly dilated PD has not yet been evaluated.

AIM

To evaluate the possible advantages and disadvantages of S-PJ and L-PJ and to interpret the perspective of S-PJ in the treatment of CP.

METHODS

A retrospective review of prospectively collected cohort data was conducted on surgically treated CP patients subjected to side-to-side PJ. The length of the PJ was adapted to anatomical alterations in PD. A comparison was made of S-PJ (< 50 mm) for uniformly dilated PD and L-PJ (50-100 mm) in the setting of multiple PD strictures, calcifications and dilatations. We hypothesized that S-PJ and L-PJ ensure comparable clinical outcomes. The primary outcomes were pain relief and quality of life (QOL); the secondary outcomes were perioperative characteristics, body weight, patients’ satisfaction with treatment, and readmission rate due to CP.

RESULTS

Overall, 91 patients underwent side-to-side PJ for CP, including S-PJ in 46 patients and L-PJ in 45 patients. S-PJ resulted in better perioperative outcomes: Significantly shorter operative time (107.5 min vs 134 min), lower need for intraoperative (0% vs 15.6%) and total (2.2% vs 31.1%) blood transfusions, and lower rate of perioperative complications (6.5% vs 17.8%). We noted no significant difference in pain relief, improvement in QOL, body weight gain, patients’ satisfaction with surgical treatment, or readmission rate due to CP.

CONCLUSION

Based on our data, in the setting of a uniformly dilated PD, S-PJ provides adequate decompression of the PD. As the clinical outcomes following S-PJ are not inferior to those of L-PJ, S-PJ should be preferred as a surgical option in the case of a uniformly dilated PD.

Fully laparoscopic pancreaticojejunostomy, Puestow procedure (with video)

Chronic pancreatitis usually requires medical treatment and, in rare cases, surgical intervention. The most frequent cause of consultation is chronic pain that is difficult to manage, and therapeutic options such as endoscopy can resolve most problems without surgery. However, when these options fail, surgical management is necessary. The most common surgery is a lateral pancreatic bypass or Puestow surgery. We present the case of a 31-year-old patient with unspecific abdominal discomfort. Abdominal ultrasonography showed significant dilation of the pancreatic duct (18 mm). Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging showed an impacted stone in the head of the pancreas and pancreas divisum. Resolution with endoscopy was attempted, but the pancreatic duct could not be accessed due to impacted lithiasis. After discussion in a multidisciplinary committee, surgical treatment was recommended, and a fully laparoscopic Puestow surgery was performed.

Recent advances in the diagnosis and management of chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a chronic condition characterized by pancreatic inflammation that causes fibrosis and the destruction of exocrine and endocrine tissues. Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive disease, and no physiological treatment is available to reverse its course. However, with advances in medical technology, the existing diagnostic and treatment methods for chronic pancreatitis are evolving. Managing patients with chronic pancreatitis is challenging and necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in the diagnosis and management of chronic pancreatitis and introduce future alternative modalities.