Laparoscopic-adapted Blumgart pancreaticojejunostomy in laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) is a complex procedure that is becoming increasingly popular among surgeons. Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains the most feared specific complication in reconstruction after PD. The Blumgart anastomosis (BA) has been established as one of the safest anastomosis for pancreas remnant reconstruction, with low rates of POPF and postoperative complications. The procedure for performing this anastomosis by laparoscopic approach has not been reported to date. METHODS: We describe our technique of LPD with laparoscopic-adapted BA (LapBA) and present the results obtained. A case-matched analysis with open cases of BA is also reported. RESULTS: Since February 2013 to February 2016, thirteen patients were operated of LapBA. An equivalent cohort of open PD patients was obtained by matching sex, ASA, pancreas consistency and main pancreatic duct diameter. Severe complications (grades III-IV) and length of stay were significantly lesser in LapBA group. No differences in POPF, readmission, reoperation rate and mortality were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The LapBA technique we propose can facilitate the pancreatic reconstruction after LPD. In this case-matched study, LPD shows superior results than open PD in terms of less severe postoperative complications and shorter length of stay. Randomized control trials are required to confirm these results

The role of the laparoscopic approach in the surgical management of acute adhesive small bowel obstruction

BACKGROUND: Postoperative adhesions represent 75% of all acute small bowel obstructions. Although open surgery is considered the standard approach for adhesiolysis, laparoscopic approach is gaining popularity. METHODS: A retrospective study with data from a prospectively maintained data base of all patients undergoing surgical treatment for adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) from January 2007 to May 2016 was conducted. Postoperative outcomes comparing open vs laparoscopic approaches were analysed. An intention to treat analysis was performed. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential benefits of the laparoscopic approach in the treatment of ASBO. RESULTS: 262 patients undergoing surgery for ASBO were included. 184 (70%) and 78 (30%) patients were operated by open and laparoscopic approach respectively. The conversion rate was 38.5%. Patients in the laparoscopic group were younger (p < 0.001), had fewer previous abdominal operations (p = 0.001), lower ASA grade (p < 0.001), and less complex adhesions were found (p = 0.001). Operative time was longer in the open group (p = 0.004). Laparoscopic adhesiolysis was associated with a lower overall complication rate (43% vs 67.9%, p < 0.001), lower mortality (p = 0.026), earlier oral intake (p < 0.001) and shorter hospital stay (p < 0.001). Specific analysis of patients with single band and/or internal hernia who did not need bowel resection, also demonstrated fewer complications, earlier oral intake and shorter length of stay. In the multivariate analysis, the open approach was an independent risk factor for overall complications compared to the laparoscopic approach (Odds Ratio = 2.89; 95% CI 1.1-7.6; p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic management of ASBO is feasible, effective and safe. The laparoscopic approach improves postoperative outcomes and functional recovery, and should be considered in patients in whom simple band adhesions are suspected. Patient selection is the strongest key factor for having success

Morphological changes of the pancreas after pancreaticoduodenectomy

The aim of this retrospective study was thus to evaluate postoperative morphological changes in the remnant pancreas after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) associated with postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). Fifty-one patients subjected to PD were enrolled in the study and allocated into 2 groups according to the presence (n = 16) or absence of POPF (n = 35). A morphological evaluation of the pancreas was conducted for up to a 20 months follow-up on CT scans and compared between groups. No significant differences were observed in morphology between the groups at the different preoperative and PO intervals, regardless of the clinical relevance of the POPF or POPF grade. However, in the overall patient analysis we observed a significant reduction of the entire pancreas over time. In fact, thickness decreased 0.4 mm/month, length 1.2 mm/month and volume 1.17 cm3/month over the PO. The impact of age, POPF, type of anastomosis, surgical technique and PO follow-up (time) was evaluated in a multivariate analysis using the general linear model, but only PO follow-up had a significant influence on the final model (p < 0.001). A significant reduction on pancreatic parenchyma (thickness, length and volume) occurs after PD with no significant differences between patients with or without POPF

Laparoscopic partial splenectomy for giant cyst using a radiofrequency-assisted device: a case report

Background: Although radiofrequency-assisted devices have sometimes been used in partial splenectomy, this is not a common technique. This report describes the first case of laparoscopic partial splenectomy using an RF-assisted device (Coolinside) which allows both coagulation and transection of the parenchyma and eventually the protective coagulation of the remnant side. Case presentation: A 27-year-old woman was found to have a giant hydatic cyst measuring 12.0 × 14.0 × 16.6 cm that mainly occupied the lower pole of the spleen and retroperitoneal space. The patient underwent a laparoscopic partial splenectomy using an RF-based device designed to accomplish both the coagulation and dissection of the splenic tissue. The estimated blood loss was less than 200 mL. Conclusions: Even though RF ablation has traditionally been used for hepatic parenchymal transection, it seems equally suited to partial splenectomy. This device seems to provide good results, minimizing blood loss during partial splenectomy; however, randomized trials will be necessary to see if the results are superior to those of other techniques.This work was partially supported by the Spanish “Programa Estatal de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad” under Grant TEC2014-52383-C3-R (TEC2014-52383-C3-1-R and TEC2014-52383-C3-3-R)

A systems approach identifies time-dependent associations of multimorbidities with pancreatic cancer risk

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is usually diagnosed in late adulthood; therefore, many patients suffer or have suffered from other diseases. Identifying disease patterns associated with PDAC risk may enable a better characterization of high-risk patients. METHODS: Multimorbidity patterns (MPs) were assessed from 17 self-reported conditions using hierarchical clustering, principal component, and factor analyses in 1705 PDAC cases and 1084 controls from a European population. Their association with PDAC was evaluated using adjusted logistic regression models. Time since diagnosis of morbidities to PDAC diagnosis/recruitment was stratified into recent (<3 years) and long term (≥3 years). The MPs and PDAC genetic networks were explored with DisGeNET bioinformatics-tool which focuses on gene-diseases associations available in curated databases. RESULTS: Three MPs were observed: gastric (heartburn, acid regurgitation, Helicobacter pylori infection, and ulcer), metabolic syndrome (obesity, type-2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension), and atopic (nasal allergies, skin allergies, and asthma). Strong associations with PDAC were observed for ≥2 recently diagnosed gastric conditions [odds ratio (OR), 6.13; 95% confidence interval CI 3.01-12.5)] and for ≥3 recently diagnosed metabolic syndrome conditions (OR, 1.61; 95% CI 1.11-2.35). Atopic conditions were negatively associated with PDAC (high adherence score OR for tertile III, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.36-0.55). Combining type-2 diabetes with gastric MP resulted in higher PDAC risk for recent (OR, 7.89; 95% CI 3.9-16.1) and long-term diagnosed conditions (OR, 1.86; 95% CI 1.29-2.67). A common genetic basis between MPs and PDAC was observed in the bioinformatics analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Specific multimorbidities aggregate and associate with PDAC in a time-dependent manner. A better characterization of a high-risk population for PDAC may help in the early diagnosis of this cancer. The common genetic basis between MP and PDAC points to a mechanistic link between these conditions.The work was partially supported by Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS), Instituto de Salud Carlos III-FEDER, Spain (PI11/01542, PI0902102, PI12/01635, PI12/00815, PI13/00082, and CP10/00524); Red Tematica de Investigacion Cooperativa en Cancer, Spain (RD12/0036/0034, RD12/0036/0050, and RD12/0036/0073); World Cancer Research (WCR 15-0391); Accion Especial de Gen omica, Spain (GEN2001-4748-c05-03); EU-6FP Integrated Project (018771-MOLDIAG-PACA), EUFP7-HEALTH (259737-CANCERALIA, 256974-EPC-TM-Net, and 602783-Cam-Pac), Associazione Italiana Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC 12182); Cancer Focus Northern Ireland and Department for Employment and Learning; ALF (SLL20130022), Sweden; Italian Foundation for Cancer Research (FIRC) (no grant numbers apply). Th

Impact of monopolar radiofrequency coagulation on intraoperative blood loss during liver resection: a prospective randomised controlled trial

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of using monopolar thermal coagulation based on radiofrequency (RF) currents on intraoperative blood loss during liver resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective randomised controlled trial was planned. Patients undergoing hepatectomy were randomised into two groups. In the control group (n = 10), hemostasis was obtained with a combination of stitches, vessel-sealing bipolar RF systems, sutures or clips. In the monopolar radiofrequency coagulation (MRFC) group (n = 18), hemostasis was mainly obtained using an internally cooled monopolar RF electrode. RESULTS: No differences in demographic or clinical characteristics were found between groups. Mean blood loss during liver resection in the control group was more than twice that of the MRFC group (556 ± 471 ml vs. 225 ± 313 ml, p = .02). The adjusted mean bleeding/transection area was also significantly higher in the control group (7.0 ± 3.3 ml/cm2 vs. 2.8 ± 4.0 ml/cm2, p = .006). No significant differences were observed in the rate of complications between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the monopolar electrocoagulation created with an internally cooled RF electrode considerably reduces intraoperative blood loss during liver resection.This work was supported by a medical research grant from the Spanish Government (FIS PI080934) and by Spanish “Programa Estatal de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad” under Grant TEC2014–52383-C3-R (TEC2014–52383-C3–1-R and TEC2014–52383-C3–3-R

Radiofrequency-assisted transection of the pancreas vs stapler in distal pancreatectomy: a propensity score matched cohort analysis

To demonstrate the efficacy of radiofrequency for pancreatic stump closure in reducing the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) in distal pancreatectomy (DP) compared with mechanical transection methods. Despite all the different techniques of pancreatic stump closure proposed for DP, best practice for avoiding POPF remains an unresolved issue, with an incidence of up to 30% regardless of center volume or surgical expertise. DP was performed in a cohort of patients by applying radiofrequency to stump closure (RF Group) and compared with mechanical closure (Control Group). A propensity score (PS) matched cohort study was carried out to minimize bias from nonrandomized treatment assignment. Cohorts were matched by PS accounting for factors significantly associated with either undergoing RF transection or mechanical closure through logistic regression analysis. The primary end-point was the incidence of clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF). Of 89 patients included in the whole cohort, 13 case patients from the RF-Group were 1:1 matched to 13 control patients. In both the first independent analysis of unmatched data and subsequent adjustment to the overall propensity score-matched cohort, a higher rate of CR-POPF in the Control Group compared with the RF-Group was detected (25.4% vs 5.3%, p = 0.049 and 53.8% vs 0%; p = 0.016 respectively). The RF Group showed better outcomes in terms of readmission rate (46.2% vs 0%, p = 0.031). No significant differences were observed in terms of mortality, major complications (30.8% vs 0%, p = 0.063) or length of hospital stay (5.7 vs 5.2 days, p = 0.89). Findings suggest that the RF-assisted technique is more efficacious in reducing CR-POPF than mechanical pancreatic stump closure

Predictors for survival in an international cohort of patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Background: Surgical factors, including resection of Gerota's fascia, R0-resection, and lymph node yield, may be associated with survival after distal pancreatectomy (DP) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but evidence from large multicenter studies is lacking. This study aimed to identify predictors for overall survival after DP for PDAC, especially those related to surgical technique. Patients and methods: Data from an international retrospective cohort including patients from 11 European countries and the USA who underwent DP for PDAC (2007-2015) were analyzed. Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed and included Gerota's fascia resection, R0 resection, lymph node ratio, extended resection, and a minimally invasive approach. Results: Overall, 1200 patients from 34 centers with median follow-up of 15 months [interquartile range (IQR) 5-31 months] and median survival period of 30 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 27-33 months] were included. Gerota's fascia resection [hazard ratio (HR) 0.74; p = 0.019], R0 resection (HR 0.70; p = 0.006), and decreased lymph node ratio (HR 0.28; p < 0.001) were associated with improved overall survival, whereas extended resection (HR 1.75; p < 0.001) was associated with worse overall survival. A minimally invasive approach did not improve survival as compared with an open approach (HR 1.14; p = 0.350). Adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 0.67; p = 0.003) was also associated with improved overall survival. Conclusions: This international cohort identified Gerota's fascia resection, R0 resection, and decreased lymph node ratio as factors associated with improved overall survival during DP for PDAC. Surgeons should strive for R0 resection and adequate lymphadenectomy and could also consider Gerota's fascia resection in their routine surgical approach