Prediction of Late Postoperative Hemorrhage after Whipple Procedure Using Computed Tomography Performed During Early Postoperative Period

Development and Validation of a Model for Postpancreatectomy Hemorrhage Risk

Importance

Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) due to postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a life-threatening complication after pancreatoduodenectomy. However, there is no prediction tool for early identification of patients at high risk of late PPH.

Objective

To develop and validate a prediction model for PPH.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective prognostic study included consecutive patients with clinically relevant POPF who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy from January 1, 2009, to May 20, 2023, at the University Hospital Mannheim (derivation cohort), and from January 1, 2012, to May 31, 2022, at the University Hospital Dresden (validation cohort). Data analysis was performed from May 30 to July 29, 2023.

Exposure

Clinical and radiologic features of PPH.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Accuracy of a predictive risk score of PPH. A multivariate prediction model-the hemorrhage risk score (HRS)-was established in the derivation cohort (n = 139) and validated in the validation cohort (n = 154).

Results

A total of 293 patients (187 [64%] men; median age, 69 [IQR, 60-76] years) were included. The HRS comprised 4 variables with associations: sentinel bleeding (odds ratio [OR], 35.10; 95% CI, 5.58-221.00; P < .001), drain fluid culture positive for Candida species (OR, 14.40; 95% CI, 2.24-92.20; P < .001), and radiologic proof of rim enhancement of (OR, 12.00; 95% CI, 2.08-69.50; P = .006) or gas within (OR, 12.10; 95% CI, 2.22-65.50; P = .004) a peripancreatic fluid collection. Two risk categories were identified with patients at low risk (0-1 points) and high risk (≥2 points) to develop PPH. Patients with PPH were predicted accurately in the derivation cohort (C index, 0.97) and validation cohort (C index 0.83). The need for more invasive PPH management (74% vs 34%; P < .001) and severe complications (49% vs 23%; P < .001) were more frequent in high-risk patients compared with low-risk patients.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this retrospective prognostic study, a robust prediction model for PPH was developed and validated. This tool may facilitate early identification of patients at high risk for PPH.

Wrapping gastroduodenal artery stump with the teres hepatis ligament to prevent postpancreatectomy hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

Gastroduodenal artery (GDA) stump erosion hemorrhage is a fatal complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy. This study aimed to determine whether GDA stump wrapping with the teres hepatis ligament during pancreaticoduodenectomy decreased the incidence of postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH).

METHODS

We reviewed 307 patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy between March 2019 and June 2022. The patients were divided into two groups according to application of GDA stump wrapping with the teres hepatis ligament: GDA wrapping group (165 patients) and no-wrapping group (142 patients). The perioperative data were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

The clinical characteristics were balanced between the two groups. Grades B and C PPH and GDA-stump-related hemorrhage were significantly reduced in the GDA wrapping group compared with the no-wrapping group (PPH B/C, 13.4% vs 6.1%, P = 0.029; GDA hemorrhage, 5.6% vs 0.6%, P = 0.014). No difference was observed in the incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula, biliary leak, intra-abdominal abscess, delayed gastric emptying, 90-day mortality, and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Wrapping GDA stump with the teres hepatis ligament reduced the incidence of GDA-stump-related PPH. Therefore, the wrapping technique is a simple and effective strategy to prevent PPH. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the benefit of this procedure.

Can Empirical Segmental Angioembolization of Splenic Artery Salvage Pancreatic Intraluminal Bleed?

Background  Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) and Hemosuccus Pancreaticus (HP) may present with slow but significant intraluminal bleed which may not be evident on imaging. We evaluated the efficacy of empirical segmental-angioembolization of splenic artery in intraluminal PPH and HP.

Result  This is a cross-sectional study done by analyzing all consecutive patients with PPH and HP who underwent empirical coil embolization of splenic artery. There were total of 137 pancreaticoduodenectomies (PD), 68 distal pancreatectomies (DP), 11 patients with median pancreatectomies (MP) and 134 admissions for acute pancreatitis and exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis during the study period. Eleven (5.1%) patients had PPH, of which two were managed surgically. Among nine patients, 4/9 (44.4%) with pseudoaneurysm on computed tomography angiography (CTA) were excluded. Among pancreatitis, 7 (5.2%) had HP, and 5/7 (71.4%) patients with pseudoaneurysm on CTA were excluded. Hence, seven patients, PPH—5 and HP—2, were included. Both HP patients were managed successfully with empirical segmental coil embolization of splenic artery. Among PPH, one patient required laparotomy for failed embolization. Overall, 6/7 (85.7%) had successful coil embolization. No reintervention, continued bleed, or blood transfusions were required postprocedure, and no splenic infarct or abscess was seen in any of the seven patients postembolization. The 72-hour rebleed rate was 1/7 (14.3%), which was managed surgically.

Conclusion  Empirical segmental coil embolization of splenic artery in intraluminal pancreatic bleed holds promise as a salvage life-saving procedure even when no blush or pseudoaneurysm is evident.

C-reactive protein identifies patients at risk of postpancreatectomy hemorrhage

Background

Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage grade C (PPH C) is a dreaded complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with high mortality rate. Concurrent risk factors for PPH C have been difficult to recognize. Connection between postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPF) and PPH C is well known, but POPF is often unknown prior to the PPH. The aim of this retrospective study was to define potential predictive factors for PPH C.

Methods

Retrospectively, 517 patients who underwent PD between 2003 and 2018 were included in the study. Twenty-three patients with PPH C were identified, and a matched control group of 92 patients was randomly selected. Preoperative data (body mass index, cardiovascular disease, history of abdominal surgery, biliary stent, C-reactive protein (CRP), ASA-score), perioperative data (bleeding, pancreatic anastomosis, operation time), and postoperative data (CRP, drain amylase, POPF, biliary fistula) were analyzed as potential predictors of PPH C.

Results

High postoperative CRP (median 140 mg/L on day 5 or 6) correlated with the development of PPH C (p < 0.05). Postoperative drain amylase levels were not clinically relevant for occurrence of PPH C. Grade C POPF or biliary leak was observed in the majority of the PPH C patients, but the leaking anastomoses were not detected before the bleeding started.

Discussion

High postoperative CRP levels are related to an increased risk of PPH C.

Before sentinel bleeding: early prediction of postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) with a CT-based scoring system

OBJECTIVES

Clinically significant pancreatic fistula (POPF) has been established as a well-known risk factor for late and severe postpancreatectomy hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) (postpancreatectomy pancreatic fistula-associated hemorrhage [PPFH]). Our aim was to assess whether contrast-enhanced CT scan after PD is an effective tool for early prediction of PPFH.

METHODS

From a prospectively acquired database, all consecutive patients who underwent PD between January 2013 and May 2019 were identified; within this database, all patients who were evaluated, for clinical suspicion of POPF, with at least one contrast-enhanced CT scan examination, were enrolled in this retrospective study. The selected CT findings included perianastomotic fluid collections and air bubbles; pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) was analyzed in terms of dehiscence and defect.

RESULTS

One hundred seventy-eight out of 953 PD patients (18.7%) suffered from clinically significant POPF; after exclusions, 166 patients were enrolled. Among this subset, 33 patients (19.9%) had at least one PPFH episode. In multivariable analysis, PPFH was associated with postoperative CT evidence of fluid collections (p = 0.046), air bubbles (p = 0.046), and posterior PJ defect (p < 0.001). Based on these findings, a practical 4-point prediction score was developed (AUC: 0.904, Se: 76%, Sp: 93.8%): patients with a score ≥ 3 demonstrated a significantly higher risk of PPFH development (OR = 45.6, 95% CI: 13.0-159.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative CT scan permits early stratification of PPFH risk, thus providing an actual aid for patients' management.

KEY POINTS

• Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) is a dramatic, clinically unpredictable occurrence. • After pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), early identification of posterior pancreaticojejunostomy defect, perianastomotic air bubbles, and retroperitoneal fluid collections enables effective PPH risk stratification by means of a practical CT-based 4-point scoring system. • CT scan after PD allows a paradigm shift in the management PPH, from a conventional "wait and see" approach, to a more proactive one that relies on early anticipation and timely prevention.

[Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage]

Surgical treatment of pancreatic diseases is always associated with a large number of complications. Postoperative hemorrhage is a specific complication of pancreatic surgery requiring a clear classification and surgical strategy. According to literature data, postoperative hemorrhage occurs in 3-30% of cases. Incidence of hemorrhages depends on intraoperative, anamnestic, histological and postoperative factors. Early postoperative hemorrhage (within 24 hours after surgery) is usually a consequence of technical errors in intraoperative hemostasis, perioperative coagulation disorders. The mechanism of delayed bleeding is more complex and often associated with various arrosive factors: pancreatic fistula, biliary fistula, abscess. Currently, there is no a single treatment algorithm for patients with postpancreatectomy hemorrhage. According to various researchers, contrast-enhanced CT is preferred for diagnosis. In recent years, the role of endovascular hemostasis has significantly increased. This problem requires further study and development of a single treatment and diagnostic algorithm that will reduce mortality in these patients.

Imaging and Management of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease with rising incidence and high mortality despite advances in imaging and therapeutic options. Surgical resection is currently the only curative treatment, with expanding roles for adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Accurate detection, staging, and post-treatment monitoring of pancreatic cancer are critical to improving survival and imaging plays a central role in the multidisciplinary approach to this disease. This article will provide a broad overview of the imaging and management of pancreatic cancer with a focus on diagnosis and staging, operative and nonoperative treatments, and post-therapeutic appearances after surgery and chemoradiation therapy.