Higher body mass index deteriorates postoperative outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy

Robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with overweight or obesity: a meta-analysis protocol

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of overweight or obesity among patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy is on the rise. The utilisation of robotic assistance has the potential to enhance the feasibility of performing minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy in this particular group of patients who are at a higher risk. The objective of this meta-analysis is to assess the safety and effectiveness of robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy in individuals with overweight or obesity.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This investigation will systematically search for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised comparative studies that compare robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy with open or laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with overweight or obesity, using PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases. The methodological quality of studies will be evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for RCTs and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. RevMan software (V.5.4.1) will be used for statistical analysis. The OR and weighted mean differences will be calculated separately for dichotomous and continuous data. The selection of a fixed-effects or random-effects model will depend on the level of heterogeneity observed among the included studies.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study will be conducted based on data in the published literature from publicly available databases. Therefore, ethics approval is not applicable. The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42023462321.

The Impact of Body Mass Index on Multiple Complications, Respiratory Complications, Failure to Rescue and In-hospital Mortality After Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Background: Pancreaticoduodenectomy serves as the standard surgical treatment for periampullary tumors. Previous studies have suggested that high body mass index (BMI) is associated with an unfavorable prognosis following laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD). However, the relationship between low BMI and postoperative complications remains unclear. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical data from 1130 patients who underwent LPD between April 2014 and December 2022 was conducted. Multivariate regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were utilized to explore the correlations between BMI and short-term outcomes, with adjustments for potential confounders. Results: Multivariable logistic regression revealed that overweight, obese, or severely underweight patients had an elevated risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) compared to those with a normal BMI. Moreover, obesity was significantly correlated with a higher proportion of "failure to rescue." BMI exhibited a J-shaped relationship with respiratory complications and in-hospital mortality, a W-shaped relationship with multiple complications and anastomotic leakage (pancreatic fistula), and a U-shaped association with "failure to rescue" rates. The lowest risk was observed at BMI levels of 20 and 25 kg/m2 for multiple complications and pancreatic fistula, respectively. Conclusion: Both high and low BMI are identified as risk factors for the occurrence of postoperative POPF and in-hospital mortality following LPD. Notably, patients with higher BMI and severe underweight conditions are associated with an increased likelihood of "failure to rescue."

External validation of scores predicting postoperative fistula after pancreatogastrostomy for pancreatoduodenectomy reconstruction. A single center experience

BACKGROUND

Clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) is the most frequent complication of pancreatic surgery and can be fatal. Selection and stratification of patients according to the risk of POPF are important for the perioperative management. Predictive metrics have been developed and validated in pancreatojejunostomy. Aim of this study is to assess whether the most used prognostic scores can be predictive of fistula following Wirsung-pancreaticogastrostomy (WPG) for pancreatoduodenectomy (PD)reconstruction.

METHOD

This single-center prospective observational study included 212 PDs between January 2008 and October 2022 with a standardized WPG. All component variables of the six scores were separately validated in our cohort. The overall predictive ability of the six fistula scores was measured and compared with the receiver operating characteristics curves (ROC) method and expressed by the area under the ROC-curve (AUC). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed considering all risk factors in the scores in order to identify variables independently correlated with POPF in the WPG.

RESULTS

CR-POPF occurred in 36 of 212 (17 %) patients. All scores showed poor prognostic stratification for the development of CR-POPF. The occurrence of CR-POPF was associated with nine factors: male gender (p = 0.003); BMI (kg/m2) (p = 0.005); ASA (%) (p = 0.003); Soft pancreatic texture (%) (p = 0.003), Pathology (p = 0.008); MPD (p = 0.011); EBL (mL) (p = 0.021); Preop. Bilirubin (mg/dl) (p = 0.038); Preop. Glucose (mg/dl) (p = 0.0369). Male gender (OR: 5.54, CI 1.41-21.3) and soft consistency of the remnant pancreas (OR: 3.83, CI 1.14-12.8) were the only independent prognostic factors on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study including exclusively pancreatogastrostomies failed to validate the most used predictive scores for POPF. We found that only male gender and soft pancreatic texture are associated with POPF. Specific predictive scores following pancreatogasgtrostomy are needed.

Impact of Unplanned Intra-Operative Conversions on Outcomes in Minimally Invasive Pancreatoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

Minimally-invasive pancreatoduodenectomy (MIPD) is fraught with the risk of complication-related deaths (LEOPARD-2), a significant volume-outcome relationship and a long learning curve. With rates of conversion for MIPD approaching 40%, the impact of these on overall patient outcomes, especially, when unplanned, are yet to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to compare peri-operative outcomes of (unplanned) converted MIPD against both successfully completed MIPD and upfront open PD.

METHODS

A systematic review of major reference databases was undertaken. The primary outcome of interest was 30-day mortality. Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to judge the quality of the studies. Meta-analysis was performed using pooled estimates, derived using random effects model.

RESULTS

Six studies involving 20,267 patients were included in the review. Pooled analysis demonstrated (unplanned) converted MIPD were associated with an increased 30-day (RR 2.83, CI 1.62- 4.93, p = 0.0002, I2 = 0%) and 90-day (RR 1.81, CI 1.16- 2.82, p = 0.009, I2 = 28%) mortality and overall morbidity (RR 1.41, CI 1.09; 1.82, p = 0.0087, I2 = 82%) compared to successfully completed MIPD. Patients undergoing (unplanned) converted MIPD experienced significantly higher 30-day mortality (RR 3.97, CI 2.07; 7.65, p < 0.0001, I2 = 0%), pancreatic fistula (RR 1.65, CI 1.22- 2.23, p = 0.001, I2 = 0%) and re-exploration rates (RR 1.96, CI 1.17- 3.28, p = 0.01, I2 = 37%) compared upfront open PD.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient outcomes are significantly compromised following unplanned intraoperative conversions of MIPD when compared to successfully completed MIPD and upfront open PD. These findings stress the need for objective evidence-based guidelines for patient selection for MIPD.

Nomogram predicts CR-POPF in open central pancreatectomy patients with benign or low-grade malignant pancreatic neoplasms

Introduction

Central pancreatectomy (CP) is a standard surgical procedure for benign and low-grade malignant pancreatic neoplasms in the body and neck of the pancreas. Higher incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) after CP than after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) or distal pancreatectomy (DP) has been reported, but no nomogram for prediction of CR-POPF after open CP has been previously established.

Methods

Patients undergoing open CP for benign or low-grade malignant pancreatic neoplasms in the department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic (HBP) surgery of Shanghai Changhai Hospital affiliated to Naval Medical University between January 01, 2009 and December 31,2020 were enrolled. Pre-, intra- and post-operative parameters were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

A total of 194 patients, including 60 men and 134 women, were enrolled with median age of 52 years (21~85 years). 84 patients (43.3%) were overweight (BMI>23.0 Kg/m2) and 14 (7.2%) were obese (BMI>28.0 Kg/m2). Pathological diagnoses ranged from serous cystic neoplasm (32.5%), solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (22.2%), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (20.1%), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (18.0%) to mucinous cystic neoplasm (5.2%). All patients had soft pancreatic texture. Main pancreatic duct diameters were ≤0.3cm for 158 patients (81.4%) and were ≥0.5cm in only 12 patients (6.2%). A stapler (57.7%) or hand-sewn closure (42.3%) were used to close the pancreatic remnant. The pancreatic anastomosis techniques used were duct to mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ)-interrupted suture (47.4%), duct to mucosa PJ-continuous suture (43.3%), duct to mucosa "HO" half-purse binding PJ (5.2%) and invaginating pancreaticogastrostomy (4.1%). Post-surgical incidences of CR-POPF of 45.9%, surgical site infection of 28.9%, postpancreatectomy hemorrhage of 7.7% and delayed gastric emptying of 2.1% were found. Obesity and pancreatic anastomosis technique were independent risk factors of CR-POPF, with a concordance index of 0.675 and an Area Under the Curve of 0.678.

Discussion

This novel nomogram constructed according to obesity and pancreatic anastomosis technique showed moderate predictive performance of CR-POPF after open CP.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer with cavernous transformation of the portal vein: a case report

Background

Cavernous transformation of the portal vein (CTPV) due to extrahepatic portal vein obstruction is a rare vascular anomaly. Since its symptoms usually appear in childhood, most of the adult cases are detected unexpectedly with other diseases. Only a few reports have described surgical difficulties in patients with CTPV. We report a case of pancreatic head cancer with CTPV in a patient who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Case presentation

A 77-year-old man with epigastric and back pain was referred to our hospital. Computed tomography revealed a tumor in the pancreatic head and a CTPV near the hepatic hilum. CTPV consisted of two main collateral vessels connected by multiple surrounding small vessels. Also, portal vein obstruction was observed near the hepatic hilum, which was far from the pancreatic head tumor. After confirming that there was no distant metastasis by a thorough whole-body search, we performed a pancreaticoduodenectomy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. During the operation, we carefully manipulated the area of the CTPV and omitted lymph node dissection in the hepatoduodenal ligament to prevent massive venous bleeding and intestinal congestion. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed without any intraoperative complications and the postoperative course was uneventful. Complete tumor resection was histologically confirmed.

Conclusion

Although pancreaticoduodenectomy for patients with CTPV involves many surgical difficulties, we successfully performed it by determining specific treatment strategies tailored to the patient and following careful and delicate surgical procedures.

Risk factors of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) is a common and troublesome complication after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify the risk factors of CR-POPF after PD.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases for studies related to risk factors of CR-POPF after PD. Odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted from the included studies, then a meta-analysis was conducted. If necessary, sensitivity analysis would be performed by changing the effect model or excluding 1 study at a time. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plot and Begg test and Egger test.

RESULTS

A total of 27 studies with 24,740 patients were included, and CR-POPF occurred in 3843 patients (incidence = 17%, 95% CI: 16%-19%). Male (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.42-1.70), body mass index >25 kg/m2 (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.23-3.18), pancreatic duct diameter <3 mm (OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.66-2.12), soft pancreatic texture (OR = 3.49, 95% CI: 2.61-4.67), and blood transfusion (OR = 3.10, 95% CI: 2.01-4.77) can significantly increase the risk of CR-POPF. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.47-0.61), vascular resection (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.39-0.83), and preoperative chemoradiotherapy (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.57-0.81) can significantly decrease the factor of CR-POPF. Diabetes mellitus was not statistically associated with CR-POPF (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.40-1.08). However, the analysis of body mass index, pancreatic texture, and diabetes mellitus had a high heterogeneity, then sensitivity analysis was performed, and the result after sensitivity analysis showed diabetes mellitus can significantly decrease the risk of CR-POPF. There was no significant publication bias in this meta-analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The current review assessed the effects of different factors on CR-POPF. This can provide a basis for the prevention and management of CR-POPF. Effective interventions targeting the above risk factors should be investigated in future studies for decreasing the occurrence of CR-POPF.

Learning Curves in Open, Laparoscopic, and Robotic Pancreatic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Proposal of a Standardization

Objective

To depict and analyze learning curves for open, laparoscopic, and robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) and distal pancreatectomy (DP).

Background

Formal training is recommended for safe introduction of pancreatic surgery but definitions of learning curves vary and have not been standardized.

Methods

A systematic search on PubMed, Web of Science, and CENTRAL databases identified studies on learning curves in pancreatic surgery. Primary outcome was the number needed to reach the learning curve as defined by the included studies. Secondary outcomes included endpoints defining learning curves, methods of analysis (statistical/arbitrary), and classification of learning phases.

Results

Out of 1115 articles, 66 studies with 14,206 patients were included. Thirty-five studies (53%) based the learning curve analysis on statistical calculations. Most often used parameters to define learning curves were operative time (n = 51), blood loss (n = 17), and complications (n = 10). The number of procedures to surpass a first phase of learning curve was 30 (20-50) for open PD, 39 (11-60) for laparoscopic PD, 25 (8-100) for robotic PD (P = 0.521), 16 (3-17) for laparoscopic DP, and 15 (5-37) for robotic DP (P = 0.914). In a three-phase model, intraoperative parameters improved earlier (first to second phase: operating time -15%, blood loss -29%) whereas postoperative parameters improved later (second to third phase: complications -46%, postoperative pancreatic fistula -48%). Studies with higher sample sizes showed higher numbers of procedures needed to overcome the learning curve (rho = 0.64, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study summarizes learning curves for open-, laparoscopic-, and robotic pancreatic surgery with different definitions, analysis methods, and confounding factors. A standardized reporting of learning curves and definition of phases (competency, proficiency, mastery) is desirable and proposed.

Preferential Mobilization of Colonic Hepatic Flexure Facilitates Pancreaticoduodenectomy Procedures

BACKGROUND

Several studies recommend that colonic hepatic flexure (CHF) should be mobilized preliminarily in minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). However, there are little data to support that preferential mobilization of the CHF can positively affect the perioperative events of PD. We aimed to assess the effect of preferential mobilization of the CHF in PD.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent PD was performed between 2016 and 2019. Clinical characteristics, operative data, and postoperative surgical complications were recorded.

RESULTS

The study included 668 patients; 486 patients underwent open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) and 182 patients underwent laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD). Patients were divided into CHF-M (OPD, n=129; LPD, n=95) and conventional (OPD, n=357; LPD, n=87) groups according to preferential CHF mobilization. There were no differences between the groups regarding most demographics. Within patients who underwent OPD, decreased estimated blood loss (EBL) (251.2±146.4 vs. 307.3±173.5 mL, P<0.05) was observed in CHF-M group. Within patients who underwent LPD, operative time (328.7±66.3 vs. 406.5±85.5 min, P<0.001), EBL (166.8±96.4 vs. 271.8±130.7 mL, P<0.001), the incidence of clinically relevant pancreaticfistula (7.4% vs. 23.0%, P<0.05), and length of stay (12.3±5.1 vs. 16.0±7.4 d, P<0.05) were decreased in CHF-M group. Moreover, patients with high body mass index who underwent LPD showed more significant differences in operative time (336.0±67.7 vs. 431.9±79.1, P<0.001) and EBL (179.6±97.8 vs. 278.2±135.6, P<0.001) between groups.

CONCLUSION

We first demonstrated that preferential mobilization of the CHF can facilitate PD. The patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery and the patients with high body mass index may benefit more from this technique.

The impact of obesity and severe obesity on postoperative outcomes after pancreatoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

The impact of obesity on postoperative outcomes after pancreatoduodenectomy remains insufficiently studied.

METHODS

All pancreatoduodenectomy patients were abstracted from the 2014 to 2018 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data sets and were stratified into the following 3 body mass index categories: non-obese (body mass index 18.5-29.9), class 1/2 obesity (body mass index 30-39.9), and class 3 severe obesity (body mass index ≥ 40). Analyses tested associations between patient factors and four 30-day postoperative outcomes: mortality, composite morbidity, delayed gastric emptying, and postoperative pancreatic fistula. Multivariable logistic regression models tested independent associations between patient factors and these 4 outcome measures.

RESULTS

A total of 16,823 patients were included in the study: 12,234 (72.7%) non-obese, 4,030 (24%) obese, and 559 (3.3%) with severe obesity. Bivariable analyses demonstrated significant associations between obesity, severe obesity, and greater proportions of numerous preoperative comorbidities as well as a greater likelihood of postoperative complications, including postoperative pancreatic fistula, delayed gastric emptying, composite morbidity, and mortality (all P ≤ .001). After adjusting for significant covariates, obesity was independently associated with postoperative pancreatic fistula (odds ratio 1.49, 95% confidence interval: 1.33-1.67, P < .001), delayed gastric emptying (odds ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.28, P = .004), composite morbidity (odds ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.18-1.38, P < .001), and mortality (odds ratio 1.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.36-2.36, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Obesity and severe obesity are significantly associated with worse short-term outcomes after pancreatoduodenectomy. Preoperative considerations, such as weight management strategies during individualized treatment planning, could improve outcomes in this population.

Risk factors and preventive measures for postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is the most serious complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), which can lead to slow recovery, deterioration, and even reoperation and death. At present, the mortality rate after PD has decreased, but the incidence of POPF is still high. Therefore, exploring the risk factors and prevention strategies for pancreatic fistula has become a hot research topic in pancreatic surgery. This paper summarizes the nature, risk factors, and preventive measures for POPF.