Pancreatoduodenectomy with venous resection for ductal adenocarcinoma rarely achieves complete (R0) resection

Vein Wall Invasion Is a More Reliable Predictor of Oncological Outcomes than Vein-Related Margins after Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Early Stages of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with vein resection is the only potentially curative option for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with venous involvement. The aim of our study was to assess the oncological prognostic significance of the different variables of venous involvement in patients undergoing PD for resectable and borderline-resectable with venous-only involvement (BR-V) PDAC. We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively acquired data over a 10-year period. Of the 372 patients included, 105 (28%) required vein resection and vein wall involvement was identified in 37% of those. A multivariable analysis failed to identify the vein-related resection margins as independent predictors for OS, DFS or LR. Vein wall tumour involvement was an independent predictor of OS (risk x1.7-2) and DFS (risk x1.9-2.2) in all models, while it replaced overall surgical margin positivity as the only parameter independently predicting LR during an analysis of separate resection margins (risk x2.4). Vein wall tumour invasion may be a more reliable predictor of oncological outcomes compared to traditionally reported parameters. Future studies should focus on possible pre-operative investigations that could identify these cases and management pathways that could yield a survival benefit, such as the use of neoadjuvant treatments.

Impact of Portal Vein Resection (PVR) in Patients Who Underwent Curative Intended Pancreatic Head Resection

The oncological impact of portal vein resection (PVR) in pancreatic cancer surgery remains contradictory. Different variables might have an impact on the outcome. The aim of the present study is the retrospective assessment of the frequency of PVR, histological confirmation of tumor infiltration, and comparison of oncological outcomes in PVR patients. We retrieved n = 90 patients from a prospectively collected data bank who underwent pancreas surgery between 2012 and 2019 at the University Medical Centre Göttingen (Germany) and showed a histologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). While 50 patients (55.6%) underwent pancreatic resection combined with PVR, 40 patients (44.4%) received standard pancreatic surgery. Patients with distal pancreatectomy or a tumor other than PDAC were excluded. PVR was performed either as local excision or circular resection of the portal vein. Clinical/patient data and follow-ups were retrieved. The median follow-up period was 20.5 months. Regarding the oncological outcome, a statistically poorer CSS (p = 0.04) was observed in PVR patients. There was no difference (p = 0.18) in patients' outcomes between tangential and complete PVR, while n = 21 (42% of PVR patients) showed portal vein infiltration. The correlation between performed PVR and resection status was statistically significant: 48.6% of PVR patients achieved R0 resections compared to 75% in non-PVR patients (p = 0.03). Patients who underwent PDAC surgery with PVR show a significantly poorer outcome regardless of PVR type. Tumor size and R-status remain two important variables significantly associated with outcome. Since there is a lack of standardization for the indication of PVR, it remains unknown if the need for resection of vein structures during pancreatic resection represents the biological aggressiveness of the tumor or is biased by the experience of the surgeon.

Portal Vein Resection in Pancreatic Cancer Surgery: Risk of Thrombosis and Radicality Determine Survival

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcomes of pancreatic cancer [pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)] surgery with concomitant portal vein resection (PVR), focusing on the PVR type according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS).

BACKGROUND

Surgery offers the only chance for cure in PDAC. PVR is often performed for borderline or locally advanced tumors.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with PDAC operated between January 2006 and January 2018 were included. Clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes were analyzed and tested for survival prediction.

RESULTS

Of 2265 PDAC resections, 1571 (69.4%) were standard resections and 694 (30.6%) were resections with PVR, including 149 (21.5%) tangential resections with venorrhaphy (ISGPS type 1), 21 (3.0%) resections with patch reconstruction (type 2), 491 (70.7%) end-to-end anastomoses (type 3), and 33 (4.8%) resections with graft interposition (type 4). The 90-day mortality rate was 2.6% after standard resection and 6.3% after resection with PVR ( P <0.0001). Postoperative portal vein thrombosis and pancreas-specific surgical complications most frequently occurred after PVR with graft interposition (21.2% and 48.5%, respectively). In multivariable analysis, age 70 years and above, ASA stages 3/4, increased preoperative serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9, neoadjuvant treatment, total pancreatectomy, PVR, higher UICC stage, and R+ resections were significant negative prognostic factors for overall survival. Radical R0 (>1 mm) resection resulted in 23.3 months of median survival.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest single-center, comparative cohort study of PVR in PDAC surgery, showing that postoperative morbidity correlates with the reconstruction type. When radical resection is achieved, thrombosis risk is outweighed by beneficial overall survival times of nearly 2 years.

Peritoneal patch in vascular reconstruction during pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer: a single Centre experience

BACKGROUND

Concomitant venous resection during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma with mesenterico-portal vein involvement is increasingly performed to achieve oncological resection. This study aims to report a single centre experience in peritoneal patch (PP) as autologous graft for vascular reconstruction (VR) during PD.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent PD + VR with PP between December 2019 and September 2020 was performed, using a prospective collected database. Postoperative outcome and pathological margins were evaluated. Venous patency was assessed by computed tomography at day 7 and week 12 post surgery.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients underwent PD + VR with PP reconstruction for pancreatic cancer, including one total pancreatectomy. VR consisted of lateral (n = 14) or tubular (n = 1) patch. The median PP length was 30 mm [26.3-33.8] and venous clamping time 30 min [27.5-39.0]. Computed tomography showed a patent VR in 93.3% and 53.3% after 7 days and 12 weeks, respectively; venous patency loss was always asymptomatic. The only postoperative VR-related complication was one mesenteric venous thrombosis. Five other patients experienced VR-unrelated complications: septic shock (n = 3), biliary fistula (n = 1) and post-traumatic subdural hematoma (n = 1). Mortality was nihil. At pathology, R0 resection (≥1 mm) was observed in 40.0% (6/15), venous margin was free in 46.7% (7/15), and venous wall was involved in 40.0% (6/15).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of PP as venous substitute during PD + VR is safe and feasible with an acceptable postoperative morbidity, and a decreased but asymptomatic venous patency after 12 weeks which should question the role of anticoagulation therapy.

The short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy combining with different type of mesentericoportal vein resection and reconstruction for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma: a Chinese multicenter retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The results of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy combining with mesentericoportal vein resection and reconstruction (LPD-MPVRs) for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma are rarely reported. The aim of present study was to explore the short- and long-term outcomes of different type of LPD-MPVRs.

METHODS

Patients who underwent LPD-MPVRs in 14 Chinese high-volume pancreatic centers between June 2014 and December 2020 were selected and compared.

RESULTS

In total, 142 patients were included and were divided into primary closure (n = 56), end-end anastomosis (n = 43), or interposition graft (n = 43). Median overall survival (OS) and median progress-free survival (PFS) between primary closure and end-end anastomosis had no difference (both P > 0.05). As compared to primary closure and end-end anastomosis, interposition graft had the worst median OS (12 months versus 19 months versus 17 months, P = 0.001) and the worst median PFS (6 months versus 15 months versus 12 months, P < 0.000). As compared to primary closure, interposition graft had almost double risk in major morbidity (16.3 percent versus 8.9 percent) and about triple risk (10 percent versus 3.6 percent) in 90-day mortality, while End-end anastomosis had only one fourth major morbidity (2.3 percent versus 8.9 percent). Multivariate analysis revealed postoperation hospital stay, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, number of positive lymph nodes had negative impact on OS, while R0, R1 surgical margin had protective effect on OS. Postoperative hospital stay had negative impact on PFS, while primary closure, end-end anastomosis, short-term vascular patency, and short-term vascular stenosis positively related to PFS.

CONCLUSIONS

In LPD-MPVRs, interposition graft had the worst OS, the worst PFS, the highest rate of major morbidity, and the highest rate of 90-day mortality. While there were no differences in OS and PFS between primary closure and end-end anastomosis.

The consistencies and inconsistencies between distal cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

To evaluate the consistencies and inconsistencies between distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCCA) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDCA) regarding their biological features and long-term prognosis.

Methods

PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE were searched to find comparative studies between DCCA and PDCA. RevMan5.3 and Stata 13.0 software were used for the statistical analyses.

Results

Eleven studies with 4,698 patients with DCCA and 100,629 patients with PDCA were identified. Pooled results indicated that patients with DCCA had a significantly higher rate of preoperative jaundice (p = 0.0003). Lymphatic metastasis (p < 0.00001), vascular invasion (p < 0.0001), and peri-neural invasion (p = 0.005) were more frequently detected in patients with PDCA. After curative pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), a significantly higher R0 rate (p < 0.0001) and significantly smaller tumor size (p < 0.00001) were detected in patients with DCCA. Patients with DCCA had a more favorable overall survival (OS) (p < 0.00001) and disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.005) than patients with PDCA. However, postoperative morbidities (p = 0.02), especially postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) (p < 0.00001), more frequently occurred in DCCA.

Conclusion

Patients with DCCA had more favorable tumor pathological features and long-term prognosis than patients with PDCA. An early diagnosis more frequently occurred in patients with DCCA. However, postoperative complications, especially POPF, were more frequently observed in patients with DCCA.

Long-Term Outcomes of Venous Resections in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients: A Nationwide Cohort Study

To investigate whether pancreatic resections (PR) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with worse survival when resection of the superior mesenteric vein/portal vein (SMV/PV) is required.

Background

PR for PDAC with resection of the superior mesenteric vein/portal vein (SMV/PV, PR+V resection) may be associated with inferior overall survival (OS) compared with PR without the need for SMV/PV resection (PR-V). We hypothesized that PR+V results in lower OS compared with PR-V.

Method

Retrospective study using data from the nationwide Danish Pancreatic Cancer Database from 2011 to 2020. Data on patients who underwent PR for PDAC were extracted. A group of PR patients found nonresectable on exploratory laparotomy (EXP) was also included. OS was assessed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for confounders (age, sex, R-resection level, chemotherapy, comorbidities, histology T and N classification, procedure subtype as well as tumor distance to the SMV/PV).

Results

Overall, 2403 patients were identified. Six hundred two underwent exploration only (EXP group), whereas 412 underwent pancreatic resection with (PR+V group) and 1389 (PR-V) without SMV/PV resection. Five-year OS for the PR+V group was lower (20% vs 30%) compared with PR-V, although multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling could not associate PR+V status with OS (Hazard ratio 1.11, P = 0.408).

Conclusion

When correcting for confounders, PR+V was not associated with lower OS compared with PR-V.

Prognostic Impact of Resection Margin Status on Distal Pancreatectomy for Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic cancer is associated with a poor prognosis. While surgical resection is the only treatment option with curative intent, most patients die of locoregional and/or distant recurrence. The prognostic impact of the resection margin status has received much attention. However, the evidence is almost exclusively related to pancreatoduodenectomies, while corresponding data for distal pancreatectomy specimens are limited. The key data, such as the rate of microscopic margin involvement (“R1”), the site of margin involvement, and the impact of R1 on patient outcome, are divergent between studies and do not currently allow any general conclusions. The main reasons for the variability in the published data are the small size of the study cohorts and their heterogeneity, as well as the marked divergence in pathology examination practices. The latter is a consequence of the lack of concrete guidance, both for grossing and microscopic examination. The increasing administration of neoadjuvant chemo(radio)therapy introduces a further factor of uncertainty as the conventional definition of a tumour-free margin (“R0”) based on 1 mm clearance is inadequate for these specimens. This review discusses the published data regarding the prognostic impact of margin status in distal pancreatectomy specimens along with the challenges and uncertainties that are related to the assessment of the margins.

Imaging Assessment of Pancreatic Cancer Resectability After Neoadjuvant Therapy: AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review

Despite important innovations in the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), PDAC remains a disease with poor prognosis and high mortality. A key area for potential improvement in the management of PDAC, aside from earlier detection in patients with treatable disease, is the improved ability of imaging techniques to differentiate treatment response after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) from worsening disease. It is well established that current imaging techniques cannot reliably make this distinction. This narrative review provides an update on the imaging assessment of pancreatic cancer resectability after NAT. Current definitions of borderline resectable PDAC, as well as implications for determining likely patient benefit from NAT, are described. Challenges associated with PDAC pathologic evaluation and surgical decision making that are of relevance to radiologists are discussed. Also explored are the specific limitations of imaging in differentiating the response after NAT from stable or worsening disease, including issues relating to protocol optimization, tumor size assessment, vascular assessment, and liver metastasis detection. The roles of MRI as well as PET and/or hybrid imaging are considered. Finally, a short PDAC reporting template is provided for use after NAT. The highlighted methods seek to improve radiologists' assessment of PDAC treatment response after NAT.

Venous wedge and segment resection during pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer: impact on short- and long-term outcomes in a nationwide cohort analysis

BACKGROUND

Venous resection of the superior mesenteric or portal vein is increasingly performed in pancreatic cancer surgery, whereas results of studies on short- and long-term outcomes are contradictory. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the type of venous resection in pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer on postoperative morbidity and overall survival.

METHODS

This nationwide retrospective cohort study included all patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer in 18 centres (2013-2017).

RESULTS

A total of 1311 patients were included, of whom 17 per cent underwent wedge resection and 10 per cent segmental resection. Patients with segmental resection had higher rates of major morbidity (39 versus 20 versus 23 per cent, respectively; P < 0.001) and portal or superior mesenteric vein thrombosis (18 versus 5 versus 1 per cent, respectively; P < 0.001) and worse overall survival (median 12 versus 16 versus 20 months, respectively; P < 0.001), compared to patients with wedge resection and those without venous resection. Multivariable analysis showed patients with segmental resection, but not those who had wedge resection, had higher rates of major morbidity (odds ratio = 1.93, 95 per cent c.i. 1.20 to 3.11) and worse overall survival (hazard ratio = 1.40, 95 per cent c.i. 1.10 to 1.78), compared to patients without venous resection. Among patients who received neoadjuvant therapy, there was no difference in overall survival among patients with segmental and wedge resection and those without venous resection (median 32 versus 25 versus 33 months, respectively; P = 0.470), although there was a difference in major morbidity rates (52 versus 19 versus 21 per cent, respectively; P  = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

In pancreatic surgery, the short- and long-term outcomes are worse in patients with venous segmental resection, compared to patients with wedge resection and those without venous resection.

Redefining resection margins and dissection planes in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma-radical resection is a rare event

Radical tumor resection (pR0) is prognostic for disease-free and overall survival after resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA). However, no universal agreement exists on the definition of radical resection and histopathological reporting. The aim of this study was to provide a standardized protocol for histopathological assessment and reporting of the surgical specimen obtained after resection for pCCA. All consecutive patients operated for pCCA with curative intent at the Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden between 2012 and 2021 were included. A standardized protocol for histopathological assessment and reporting of the surgical specimen after liver resection for pCCA is presented. A detailed mapping of the transection margins and dissection planes was performed. The results of applying different existing pR0 definitions were compared. Sixty-eight patients with pCCA were included. Five transection margins and two dissection planes were defined. By defining pR0 as cancer-free margins and planes tolerating distances <1mm, the pR0 rate was 66%. However, when pR0 was set as >1mm from invasive cancer to all resection margins and dissection planes, the pR0 rate fell to 16%. This study supports the use of thorough and standardized pathological handling, assessment and reporting of resection margins and dissection planes of surgical specimens of pCCA.

Resection of the Portal-Superior Mesenteric Vein in Pancreatic Cancer: Pathological Assessment and Recurrence Patterns

OBJECTIVES

The portal vein (PV)-superior mesenteric vein (SMV) margin is the most affected margin in pancreatic cancer. This study investigates the association between venous resection, tumor invasion in the resected PV-SMV, recurrence patterns, and overall survival (OS).

METHODS

This multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer (2010-2017). In addition, a systematic literature search was performed.

RESULTS

In total, 531 patients were included, of which 149 (28%) underwent venous resection of whom 53% had tumor invasion in the resected PV-SMV. Patients with venous resection had a significant higher rate of R1 margins (69% vs 37%) and had more often multiple R1 margins (43% vs 16%). Patient with venous resection had a significant shorter time to locoregional recurrence and a shorter OS (15 vs 19 months). At multivariable analyses, venous resection and tumor invasion in the resected PV-SMV were not predictive for time to recurrence and OS. The literature overview showed that pathological assessment of the resected PV-SMV is not adequately standardized.

CONCLUSIONS

Only half of patients with venous resection had pathology confirmed tumor invasion in the resected PV-SMV, and both are not independently associated with time to recurrence and OS. The pathological assessment of the resected PV-SMV needs to be standardized.

Extended Venous Resections for Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Head Adenocarcinoma-A Retrospective Studies of Nine Cases

BACKGROUND

pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies and a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The only chance to improve the long-term outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancer is surgery with radical intent.

METHODS

in the present paper, we aim to describe a case series of 9 patients submitted to radical surgery for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.

RESULTS

in all cases, negative resection margins were achieved. The types of venous resection consisted of tangential portal vein resection in four cases, circumferential portal vein resection with direct reanastomosis in one case and circumferential resection with graft placement in another four cases; postoperatively, one patient developed a vascular surgery-related complication consisting of graft thrombosis and thus necessitated prolonged anticoagulant therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

extended venous resections can be a safe and efficient way to maximize the benefits of radical surgery in locally advanced, borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.

Prospective Evaluation of Resection Margins Using Standardized Specimen Protocol Analysis among Patients with Distal Cholangiocarcinoma and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

Using a standardized specimen protocol analysis, this study aimed to evaluate the resection margin status of patients who underwent resection for either distal cholangiocarcinoma (DC) or pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This allowed a precise millimetric analysis of each inked margin.

METHODS

From 2010 to 2018, 355 consecutively inked specimens from patients with PDAC (n = 288) or DC (n = 67) were prospectively assessed. We assessed relationships between the tumor and the following margins: transection of the pancreatic neck, bile duct, posterior surface, margin toward superior mesenteric artery, and the surface of superior mesenteric vein/portal vein groove. Resection margins were evaluated using a predefined cut-off value of 1 mm; however, clearances of 0 and 1.5 mm were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Patients with DC were mostly men (64% vs. 49%, p = 0.028), of older age (68 yo vs. 65, p = 0.033), required biliary stenting more frequently (93% vs. 77%, p < 0.01), and received less neoadjuvant treatment (p < 0.001) than patients with PDAC. The venous resection rate was higher among patients with PDAC (p = 0.028). Postoperative and 90-day mortality rates were comparable. Patients with PDAC had greater tumor size (28.6 vs. 24 mm, p = 0.01) than those with DC. The R1 resection rate was comparable between the two groups, regardless of the clearance margin. Among the three types of resection margins, a venous groove was the most frequent in both entities. In multivariate analysis, the R1 resection margin did not influence patient survival in either PDAC or DC.

CONCLUSION

Our standardized specimen protocol analysis showed that the R1 resection rate was comparable in PDAC and DC.

History of preoperative therapy for pancreatic cancer and the MD Anderson experience

Systemic chemotherapy improves the survival of patients who undergo pancreatectomy, but whether chemotherapy should be delivered before or after surgery remains debated. At The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been preferentially treated with preoperative therapy-a practice supported by a robust history of institutional and national trials. In the following review, we discuss the historical use of perioperative therapy, our experience with it at MD Anderson Cancer Center and internationally, and the future of treatment and trials for PDAC.

Graft type for superior mesenteric and portal vein reconstruction in pancreatic surgery - A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Contemporary practice for superior mesenteric/portal vein (SMV-PV) reconstruction during pancreatectomy with vein resection involves biological (autograft, allograft, xenograft) or synthetic grafts as a conduit or patch. The aim of this study was to systematically review the safety and feasibility of the different grafts used for SMV-PV reconstruction.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in PubMed and Embase according to the PRISMA guidelines (January 2000-March 2020). Studies reporting on ≥ 5 patients undergoing reconstruction of the SMV-PV with grafts during pancreatectomy were included. Primary outcome was rate of graft thrombosis.

RESULTS

Thirty-four studies with 603 patients were included. Four graft types were identified (autologous vein, autologous parietal peritoneum/falciform ligament, allogeneic cadaveric vein/artery, synthetic grafts). Early and overall graft thrombosis rate was 7.5% and 22.2% for synthetic graft, 5.6% and 11.7% for autologous vein graft, 6.7% and 8.9% for autologous parietal peritoneum/falciform ligament, and 2.5% and 6.2% for allograft. Donor site complications were reported for harvesting of the femoral, saphenous, and external iliac vein. No cases of graft infection were reported for synthetic grafts.

CONCLUSION

In selected patients, autologous, allogenic or synthetic grafts for SMV-PV reconstruction are safe and feasible. Synthetic grafts seems to have a higher incidence of graft thrombosis.

Surgical management and pathological assessment of pancreatoduodenectomy with venous resection: an international survey among surgeons and pathologists

BACKGROUND

The aim of this survey was to gain insights in the current surgical management and pathological assessment of pancreatoduodenectomy with portal-superior mesenteric vein resection (VR).

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed to identify international expert surgeons (N = 150) and pathologists (N = 40) who published relevant studies between 2009 and 2019. These experts and Dutch surgeons (N = 17) and pathologists (N = 20) were approached to complete an online survey.

RESULTS

Overall, 76 (46%) surgeons and 37 (62%) pathologists completed the survey. Most surgeons (71%) estimated that preoperative imaging corresponded correctly with intraoperative findings of venous involvement in 50-75% of patients. An increased complication risk following VR was expected by 55% of surgeons, mainly after Type 4 (segmental resection-venous conduit anastomosis). Most surgeons (61%) preferred Type 3 (segmental resection-primary anastomosis). Most surgeons (75%) always perform the VR themselves. Standard postoperative imaging for patency control was performed by 54% of surgeons and 39% adjusted thromboprophylaxis following VR. Most pathologists (76%) always assessed tumor infiltration in the resected vein and only 54% of pathologists always assess the resection margins of the vein itself. Variation in assessment of tumor infiltration depth was observed.

CONCLUSION

This international survey showed variation in the surgical management and pathological assessment of pancreatoduodenectomy with venous involvement. This highlights the lack of evidence and emphasizes the need for research on imaging modalities to improve patient selection for VR, surgical techniques, postoperative management and standardization of the pathological assessment.

Vascular Resection for Pancreatic Cancer: 2019 French Recommendations Based on a Literature Review From 2008 to 6-2019

Introduction: Vascular resection remains a subject of debate in the management of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). These French recommendations were drafted on behalf of the French National Institute of Cancer (INCA-2019).

Material and Methods: A systematic literature search, with PubMed, Medline® (OvidSP), EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, was performed for abstracts published in English from January 2008 to June 2019, and identified systematic reviews/metaanalyses, retrospective analyses and case series dedicated to vascular resections in the setting of PDAC. All selected articles were graded for level of evidence and strength of recommendation was given according to the GRADE system.

Results: Neoadjuvant treatment should be performed rather than direct surgery in borderline and locally advanced non-metastatic PDAC with venous and/or arterial infiltration (T4 stage). Patients who respond or those with stable disease and good performance status should undergo surgical exploration to assess resectability because cross-sectional imaging often fails to identify the extent of the remaining viable tumor. Combining vascular resection with pancreatectomy in these cases increases the feasibility of curative resection which is still the only option to improve long-term survival. Venous resection (VR) is recommended if resection is possible in the presence of limited lateral or circumferential involvement but without venous occlusion and in the absence of arterial contact with the celiac axis (CA; cephalic tumors) or the superior mesenteric artery (SMA; all tumor locations) (Grade B). The patients should be in good general condition because mortality and morbidity are higher than following pancreatectomy without VR (Grade B). In case of planned VR, neoadjuvant treatment is recommended since it improves both rate of R0 resections and survival compared to upfront surgery (Grade B). Due to their complexity and specificities, arterial resection (AR; mainly the hepatic artery (HA) or the CA) must be discussed in selected patients, in multidisciplinary team meetings in tertiary referral centers, according to the tumor location and the type of arterial extension. In case of invasion of a short segment of the common HA, resection with arterial reconstruction may be proposed after neoadjuvant therapy. In case of SMA invasion, neoadjuvant therapy may be followed by laparotomy with dissection and biopsy of peri-arterial tissues. A pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with SMA-resection is not recommended if the frozen section examination is positive (Grade C). In case of distal PDAC with invasion of the CA, a distal pancreatectomy with CA-resection without arterial reconstruction may be proposed after neoadjuvant therapy and radiologic embolization of the CA branches (expert opinion).

Conclusion: For PDAC with vascular involvement, neoadjuvant treatment followed by pancreatectomy with venous resection or even arterial resection can be proposed as a curative option in selected patients with selected vascular involvement.