Optimal extent of lymphadenectomy for radical surgery of pancreatic head adenocarcinoma: 2-year survival rate results of single-center, prospective, randomized controlled study

Treatment strategies to prevent or mitigate the outcome of post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH): a review of randomized trials

BACKGROUND

Post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause for surgical mortality after pancreatic surgery. Several strategies for the prevention and management of PPH have been studied in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) but a systematic review is lacking. We systematically reviewed RCTs regarding the impact of treatment strategies on the incidence and outcome of PPH.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eligible RCTs reporting on impact of treatment on the rate of PPH were identified through a systematic literature search using the Evidence Map of Pancreatic Surgery (2012-2022). Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB-2) tool for RCTs. Various definitions of PPH were accepted and outcome reported separately for the International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) definition.

RESULTS

Overall, 99 RCTs fulfilled the eligibility criteria with a pooled 6.1% rate of PPH (range 1%-32%). The pooled rate of PPH defined as ISGPS grade B/C was 8.1% (range 0-24.9%). Five RCTs reported five strategies that significantly reduced the rate of PPH. Three concerned surgical technique: pancreatic anastomosis with small jejunal incision, falciform ligament wrap around the gastroduodenal artery stump, and pancreaticojejunostomy (vs pancreaticogastrostomy). Two concerned perioperative management: perioperative pasireotide administration, and algorithm-based postoperative patient management. No single RCT specifically focused on the treatment of patients with PPH.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review of RCTs identified five strategies which reduce the rate of PPH; three concerning intraoperative surgical technique and two concerning peri-operative patient management. Future studies should focus on the treatment of patients with PPH as RCTs are currently lacking.

Impact of Adherence to Operative Standards and Stage-Specific Guideline-Recommended Therapy in Nonmetastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Achieving optimal surgical outcomes in pancreatic adenocarcinoma requires a combination of both curative-intent resection to oncologic standards and stage-specific neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy. This investigation sought to examine factors associated with receipt of standard-adherent surgery (SAS) and guideline-recommended therapy (GRT) and determine the impact of compliance on patient survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From the 2006-2016 National Cancer Database, 21,304 patients underwent resection for nonmetastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. SAS was defined as pancreatic resection with negative margins and ≥ 15 lymph nodes examined. Stage-specific GRT was defined by current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Multivariable models were used to determine predictors of adherence to SAS and GRT and prognostic impact on overall survival.

RESULTS

Overall, SAS was achieved in 39% and GRT in 65% of patients, but only 30% received both SAS and GRT. Increasing age, minority race, uninsured status, and greater comorbidities were associated with a decreased odds of receiving both SAS and GRT (all p < 0.05). SAS (HR 0.79; CI 0.76-0.81; p < 0.001) and GRT (HR 0.67; CI 0.65-0.69; p < 0.001) were each independently associated with a survival advantage. Receipt of both SAS and GRT was associated with significant improvement in median OS compared with receiving neither (2.2 years vs 1.1 years; p < 0.001) which was independently associated with a 78% increased risk of death (HR 1.78; CI 1.70-1.86; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite survival benefits associated with adherence to operative standards and receipt of guideline-recommended therapy, compliance remains poor. Future efforts must be directed toward improved education and implementation efforts around both operative standards and therapy guidelines.

Clinical value of extended lymphadenectomy in radical surgery for pancreatic head carcinoma at different T stages

BACKGROUND

As the lymph-node metastasis rate and sites vary among pancreatic head carcinomas (PHCs) of different T stages, selective extended lymphadenectomy (ELD) performance may improve the prognosis of patients with PHC.

AIM

To investigate the effect of ELD on the long-term prognosis of patients with PHC of different T stages.

METHODS

We analyzed data from 216 patients with PHC who underwent surgery at our hospital between January 2011 and December 2021. The patients were divided into extended and standard lymphadenectomy (SLD) groups according to extent of lymphadenectomy and into T1, T2, and T3 groups according to the 8^th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer’s staging system. Perioperative data and prognoses were compared among groups. Risk factors associated with prognoses were identified through univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

The 1-, 2- and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates in the extended and SLD groups were 69.0%, 39.5%, and 26.8% and 55.1%, 32.6%, and 22.1%, respectively (P = 0.073). The 1-, 2- and 3-year disease-free survival rates in the extended and SLD groups of patients with stage-T3 PHC were 50.3%, 25.1%, and 15.1% and 22.1%, 1.7%, and 0%, respectively (P = 0.025); the corresponding OS rates were 65.3%, 38.1%, and 21.8% and 36.1%, 7.5%, and 0%, respectively (P = 0.073). Multivariate analysis indicated that portal vein invasion and lymphadenectomy extent were risk factors for prognosis in patients with stage-T3 PHC.

CONCLUSION

ELD may improve the prognosis of patients with stage-T3 PHC and may be of benefit if performed selectively.