Liver blood supply after a modified Appleby procedure in classical and aberrant arterial anatomy

Hepatic Arterial Variations and Its Implication During Pancreatic Cancer Surgeries

PURPOSE

Aberrant hepatic artery anatomy is a considerable challenge during pancreatic surgery as it warrants extreme caution for the preservation of vascular supply as well as achievement of R0 resection margin.

METHOD

We reviewed the literature about the aberrant anatomical variations of the hepatic artery and its relevance during pancreatoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy.

RESULT

Preoperative deliberation of peri-pancreatic vascular anatomy using advanced imaging methods is crucial for surgeons. At the same time, intra-operative suspicion and early identification of aberrant anatomy may help to prevent vascular injury and related complications. Yet, vascular reconstruction may be needed in many situations; several techniques like pre-operative embolization provide new options for management in specific situations.

CONCLUSION

We have provided here an overview of the anatomical variants of the hepatic artery and their implication during pancreatoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy.

Distal pancreas-coeliac axis resection with preoperative selective embolization of the coeliac axis: a single high-volume centre experience

BACKGROUND

Patients with ductal adenocarcinoma in the body and/or tail of the pancreas with involvement of the common hepatic artery and/or celiac axis have until recently been considered unresectable. In selected cases, distal pancreatectomy (DP) with en bloc celiac axis resection (DP-CAR) may be an option to achieve R0 resection.

METHODS

Patients with tumours in the body and/or tail of the pancreas locally advanced with involvement of the common hepatic artery and/or celiac axis, with no distant metastases, were evaluated for DP-CAR procedures. Preoperative embolization was performed 10-14 days prior to surgery to enhance collateral arterial supply for the liver and stomach.

RESULTS

A total of 21 patients went through DP-CAR of whom 15 were preoperatively embolized. R0 resection vas achieved in 76% of the patients comparable to our standard distal pancreatectomies. The DP-CAR patients had a significant longer postoperative hospital stay, but no difference in major complications, including pancreatic fistulas compared with our standard distal pancreatectomies. No 30 nor 90 days postoperative mortality were recorded. Median survival in patients who underwent DP and DP-CAR procedures was 24.0 and 23.5 months, respectively (P > 0.5).

CONCLUSION

Outcomes after DP-CAR are comparable to standard distal pancreatectomies. DP-CAR after preoperative embolization is feasible and may in selected patients be a good option for treating patients with tumours in the body and/or tail of the pancreas with central arterial involvement.

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.

Appleby Procedure (Distal Pancreatectomy With Celiac Artery Resection) for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Carcinoma: Indications, Outcomes, and Imaging

OBJECTIVE. We describe the indications, surgical technique, outcome, and imaging findings in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) treated with distal pancreatectomy and celiac artery resection (modified Appleby procedure). CONCLUSION. Distal pancreatectomy and celiac artery resection is a feasible surgery in selected patients with locally advanced PDAC. Knowledge of surgical technique and imaging features may aid radiologists in identifying patients with locally invasive PDAC who might benefit from resection and identifying characteristic distal pancreatectomy and celiac artery resection complications.

Radiologic evaluation of patients undergoing the modified Appleby procedure for locally advanced pancreatic neoplasms: a case series

PURPOSE

Despite advances in medical and surgical care, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains one of the most locally aggressive neoplastic processes in the abdomen. Unfortunately, most pancreatic adenocarcinomas present late and are unresectable at time of diagnosis. The modified Appleby procedure is a surgical option in patients with locally advanced pancreatic neoplasms of the body and tail with vascular invasion of the celiac trunk. To our knowledge, no radiologic journal has previously reported on the pre-operative evaluation or postoperative imaging findings of such patients.

METHODS

We report herein three patients who underwent the modified Appleby procedure, each with a unique complication, in an attempt to illustrate common pitfalls of interpretation in these advanced cases.

RESULTS

Our case series emphasizes the importance of pre-operative radiologic assessment of variant arterial anatomy, knowledge of pre- and intraoperative procedures and appearances, and familiarity with potential postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Thorough understanding of the important aspects of the pre-surgical anatomy, as well as possible post-surgical complications, is the key to the radiologist being a useful participant in the clinical care of these patients.

Locally advanced pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma: pancreatectomy with planned arterial resection based on axial arterial encasement

Pancreatectomy with arterial resection for locally advanced pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma (PDA) is associated with high morbidity and is thus considered as a contraindication. The aim of our study was to report our experience of pancreatectomy with planned arterial resection for locally advanced PDA based on specific selection criteria.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All patients receiving pancreatectomy for PDA between October 2008 and July 2014 were reviewed. The patients were classified into group 1, pancreatectomy without vascular resection (66 patients); group 2, pancreatectomy with isolated venous resection (31 patients), and group 3, pancreatectomy with arterial resection for locally advanced PDA (14 patients). The primary selection criteria for arterial resection was the possibility of achieving a complete resection based on the extent of axial encasement, the absence of tumor invasion at the origin of celiac trunk (CT) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and a free distal arterial segment allowing reconstruction. Patient outcomes and survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

Six SMA, two CT, four common hepatic artery, and two replaced right hepatic artery resections were undertaken. The preferred arterial reconstruction was splenic artery transposition. Group 3 had a higher preoperative weight loss, a longer operative time, and a higher incidence of intraoperative blood transfusion. Ninety-day mortality occurred in three patients in groups 1 and 2. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence, grade, and type of complications in the three groups. Postoperative pancreatic fistula and postpancreatectomy hemorrhage were also comparable. In group 3, none had arterial wall invasion and nine patients had recurrence (seven metastatic and two loco-regional). Survival and disease-free survival were comparable between groups.

CONCLUSION

Planned arterial resection for PDA can be performed safely with a good outcome in highly selected patients. Key elements for defining the resectability is based on the extent of the axial arterial encasement with two criteria: the origin of the CT and SMA are free from tumor invasion and the possibility of distal reconstruction.

Modified Appleby Procedure with Arterial Reconstruction for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Literature Review and Report of Three Unusual Cases

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic body and tail ductal adenocarcinomas are often diagnosed with local vascular invasion of the celiac axis (CA) and its various branches. With such involvement, these tumors have traditionally been considered unresectable. The modified Appleby procedure allows for margin negative resection of some such locally advanced tumors. This procedure involves distal pancreatectomy with en bloc splenectomy and CA resection and relies on the presence of collateral arterial circulation via an intact pancreaticoduodenal arcade and the gastroduodenal artery to maintain prograde hepatic arterial perfusion. When the resultant collateral circulation is inadequate to provide sufficient hepatic and gastric arterial inflow, arterial reconstruction (AR) is necessary to "supercharge" the inflow. Herein, we review all reported cases of AR with modified Appleby procedures that we have identified in the literature, and we report our experience of three recent cases with arterial reconstruction including two cases with arterial bypasses not requiring interposition grafting.

METHODS

Perioperative and oncologic outcomes from our Institutional Review Board-approved database of pancreatic resections at the Thomas Jefferson University were reviewed. Additionally, PubMed search for cases of distal or total pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection and concurrent AR was performed.

RESULTS

From the literature, 12 reports involving 28 patients were identified of distal and total pancreatectomy with AR after CA resection. The most common AR in the literature, performed in 12 patients, was a bypass from the aorta to the common hepatic artery (CHA) using a variety of interposition conduits. In our institutional experience, patient #1 had a primary side-to-end aorto-CHA bypass, patient #2 had a primary end-to-end bypass of the transected distal CHA to the left gastric artery in the setting a replaced left hepatic artery, and patient #3 required an aortic to proper hepatic artery bypass with saphenous vein graft and portal venous reconstruction. All patients recovered from their operations without ischemic complications, and they are currently 16, 15, and 13 months post-op, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The criteria for resectability in patients with locally advanced pancreatic body and tail neoplasms are expanding due to increasing experience with AR in the setting of the modified Appleby procedure. When performing AR, primary arterial re-anastomosis may be considered preferable to interposition grafting as it decreases the potential for the infectious and thrombotic complications associated with conduits and it reduces the number of vascular anastomoses from two to one. Consideration must also be given to normal variant anatomy of the hepatic circulation during operative planning as the origin of the left gastric artery is resected with the CA. The modified Appleby procedure with AR, when used in appropriately selected patients, offers the potential for safe, margin negative resection of locally advanced pancreatic body and tail tumors.

Modified Appleby procedure for borderline resectable/locally advanced distal pancreatic adenocarcinoma: A major procedure for selected patients

BACKGROUND

In distal pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), distal pancreatectomy with en bloc splenectomy and celiac axis resection (DP-CAR) can allow curative resection in case of tumor extension to celiac axis.

METHODS

From 2008 to 2013, of 102 patients with localized distal PDAC, 7 patients with celiac axis involvement were planned to undergo DP-CAR with curative intent. All patients received neoadjuvant treatment followed by preoperative coil embolization to enlarge collateral arterial pathways, except if a replaced right hepatic artery arising from superior mesenteric artery was present and sufficient for the blood supply. We herein analyzed indications, technique and outcomes of DP-CAR.

RESULTS

After neoadjuvant treatment and arterial embolization, two patients experienced tumor progression and were not operated while five underwent DP-CAR. No patient required arterial reconstruction. Postoperative mortality was nil, but morbidity was 100%, mainly represented by pancreatic fistula. Postoperatively, there was a complete pain relief but chronic diarrhea was observed in all patients. Resections were R0 in three patients. One operated patient was alive and disease free at 60 months whereas median overall survival of patients who underwent resection was 24 months.

CONCLUSIONS

DP-CAR for borderline resectable/locally advanced distal PDAC is associated with high morbidity and mixed long-term functional results. Neoadjuvant treatment may prevent from unnecessary surgery for patients with progressive disease and may facilitate resection with acceptable long-term survival.

[Results of the modified Appleby procedure]

AIM

To evaluate safety and efficacy of distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac artery resection (DP-CAR) for pancreatic malignancy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Medical reports of 17 patients who underwent DP-CAR procedure (15 of them with pancreatic malignancy) were retrospectively analyzed. Also we studied 27 publications describing more than 2 cases of DP-CAR.

RESULTS

R0- and R1-resection was performed in 14 (82%) and 3 (18%) patients respectively. Postoperative complications ware observed in 11 (65%) cases. Nine of them were successfully treated. Full pain control was achieved in all patients. There were no any ischemic complications. 16 patients received chemotherapy. 2 (11%) patients died in early postoperative period due to aortic dissection in 10 days and fungal sepsis in 44 days after surgery. Median survival was 20 months. Literature review included 27 articles describing 311 operations. Herewith postoperative complications developed in 43% of cases and 90-day postoperative mortality was 4%. Median survival ranged from 9.3 to 26 months.

CONCLUSION

DP-CAR is effective and safe procedure in certain patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Preoperative Diagnostic Angiogram and Endovascular Aortic Stent Placement for Appleby Resection Candidates: A Novel Surgical Technique in the Management of Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Background. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma of the body and tail usually presents late and is typically unresectable. The modified Appleby procedure allows resection of pancreatic body carcinoma with celiac axis (CA) invasion. Given that the feasibility of this technique is based on the presence of collateral circulation, it is crucial to confirm the presence of an anatomical and functional collateral system. Methods. We here describe a novel technique used in two patients who were candidates for Appleby resection. We present their clinical scenario, imaging, operative findings, and postoperative course. Results. Both patients had a preoperative angiogram for assessment of anatomical circulation and placement of an endovascular stent to cover the CA. We hypothesize that this new technique allows enhancement of collateral circulation and helps minimize intraoperative blood loss when transecting the CA at its takeoff. Moreover, extra length on the CA margin may be gained, as the artery can be transected at its origin without the need for vascular clamp placement. Conclusion. We propose this novel technique in the preoperative management of patients who are undergoing a modified Appleby procedure. While further experience with this technique is required, we believe that it confers significant advantages to the current standard of care.