Distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac resection for locally advanced pancreas carcinoma

In locally advanced pancreatic body cancers, cancer infiltrates major vessels such as the celiac axis, common hepatic artery and superior mesenteric artery or vein, which is the borderline of resectability. Patients also suffer severe abdominal pain. Kondo and Hirano et al. developed a radical operation called "distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac resection (DP-CAR)" for such cases. We applied this procedure three times in two patients with pancreatic body carcinomas, in which combined vascular resection was necessary. Radical operation was eventually achieved.     

Evaluation of intraoperative radiotherapy for gastric carcinoma with D2 and D3 surgical resection

INTRODUCTION The fate of patients after surgical removal of a gastric carcinoma is determined to a large degree by regional failure of the operation (e.g. tumor recurrence in the tumor bed or in an adjacent structure). This is true for palliative resectio…     

Gastrointestinal function and quality of life after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy

The pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) has taken the place of the conventional Whipple pancreato-duodenectomy as the standard procedure for various periampullary disease. With recent advances in surgical techniques and improvements in perioperative management, the number of long-term survivors after PPPD is increasing. As a result, surgeons should pay more attention to the patients' postoperative gastrointestinal function, nutrition, and quality of life (QOL). Gastric stasis, which is a frequent complication during the early postoperative period after PPPD, prolongs the hospital stay and impairs the QOL in the intermediate term. Several possible pathogeneses for this gastric stasis have been postulated; however, the precise mechanism remains unclear. The gastric emptying function gradually recovers to the preoperative level by 6 months after PPPD. Pancreatic functions are likely to be maintained for at least 1 year after PPPD; however, in some cases, they tend to gradually deteriorate over time after the operation, depending on the type of pancreatic reconstruction or the preoperative condition of the pancreas. It is important to note that preoperative and postoperative pancreatic exocrine function strongly influence the postoperative outcome regarding such factors as pancreatic fistula, body weight maintenance, nutrition, and the QOL. The QOL, as assessed by questionnaire, normally returns to the preoperative level within 6 months after PPPD, and this correlates with the changes in gastrointestinal function and nutritional status. It still remains an unresolved question, however, whether the Billroth-I PPPD really leads to better long-term nutritional status, but worse early gastric emptying function, than the Billroth-II type of reconstruction.     

Venous bypass grafting for celiac occlusion in radical pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Radical pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed for cancer of the head of the pancreas in a 65-year-old male patient with congenital celiac occlusion. Preoperative angiography revealed that the arterial flow to the liver, spleen, and stomach was supplied via the pancreaticoduodenal arcade and that the dorsal pancreatic artery arose from the superior mesenteric artery. In order to perform radical pancreatectomy with sufficient clearance of lymph nodes and soft tissues around the pancreas, the celiac arterial circulation was reconstructed. The restoration of flow was effected via a saphenous vein graft between the common hepatic artery and the aorta. Postoperative angiography demonstrated patency of the graft. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful.     

Distal pancreatectomy withen bloc resection of the celiac artery for carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas

Summary Conclusion Combined resection of the celiac artery with a distal pancreatectomy (DP) increases the resectability and improves the overal prognosis of patients with locally advanced ductal cancer of the body and tail of the pancreas. Background Carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas is often unresectable because of invasion to adjacent organs. We evaluated a DP including anen bloc resection of the celiac artery (“extended”), for pancreatic cancer that had invaded the common hepatic and/or celiac arteries. Methods Six cases of an “extended” DP were compared with 19 cases of a “standard” DP for pancreatic ductal carcinoma in terms of clinical and pathologic findings, perioperative course, and long-term outcome. We also compared the survival rate of these two groups with a third group consisting of 22 patients with unresectable pancreatic ductal carcinoma. Results The mean operative time, postoperative serum aspartate aminotransferase concentration, and length of hospital stay did not significantly differ between the “extended” and “standard” DP groups. The cumulative 1- and 3-yr accumulated survival rates for the “extended,” “standard,” and unresectable groups were 40.0, 33.3, and 5.4, and 20.0, 16.6, and 0%, respectively. Statistically significant differences (p<0.01) existed between the “extended” and unresected groups.     

Successful pancreatectomy with en-bloc resection of the celiac artery and portal vein for pancreatic endocrine carcinoma

Invasion to the celiac axis and portal vein is one reason for the unresectability of pancreatic carcinoma of the body and tail. Some authors advocate a radical distal pancreatectomy with en-bloc resection of the celiac artery and portal vein. However, long-term survival is still rare. We report here on a very rare, long-term survivor of a locally-advanced endocrine carcinoma of the body of the pancreas that was treated by distal pancreatectomy with en-bloc resection of the celiac artery and portal vein. The patient recovered well postoperatively, and has survived for 55 months without evidence of recurrence. The experience gained in the present case suggests that radical pancreatectomy with en-bloc resection of the celiac artery and portal vein is a potential approach that might increase tumor resectability and improve the prognosis of patients with locally-advanced endocrine carcinomas of the pancreas.     

Tips and tricks of the surgical technique for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer: mesenteric approach and modified distal pancreatectomy with en‐bloc celiac axis resection

Borderline resectable (BR) pancreatic cancer involves the portal vein and/or superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV), major arteries including the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) or common hepatic artery (CHA), and sometimes includes the involvement of the celiac axis. We herein describe tips and tricks for a surgical technique with video assistance, which may increase the R0 rates and decrease the mortality and morbidity for BR pancreatic cancer patients. First, we describe the techniques used for the “artery‐first” approach for BR pancreatic cancer with involvement of the PV/SMV and/or SMA. Next, we describe the techniques used for distal pancreatectomy with en‐bloc celiac axis resection (DP‐CAR) and tips for decreasing the delayed gastric emptying (DGE) rates for advanced pancreatic body cancer. The mesenteric approach, followed by the dissection of posterior tissues of the SMV and SMA, is a feasible procedure to obtain R0 rates and decrease the mortality and morbidity, and the combination of this aggressive procedure and adjuvant chemo(radiation) therapy may improve the survival of BR pancreatic cancer patients. The DP‐CAR procedure may increase the R0 rates for pancreatic cancer patients with involvement within 10 mm from the root of the splenic artery, as well as the CHA or celiac axis, and preserving the left gastric artery may lead to a decrease in the DGE rates in cases where there is more than 10 mm between the tumor edge and the root of the left gastric artery. The development of safer surgical procedures is necessary to improve the survival of BR pancreatic cancer patients.     

Modified standard pancreaticoduodenectomy for the treatment of pancreatic head cancer

Since 1980 extended surgery has been used to treat pancreatic cancer in many institutions in Japan in the hope of achieving curative resection and a good outcome. The resection rate increased, but the final outcome was unsatisfactory, and the question of postoperative quality of life (QOL) following extended surgery has instead become the central issue. During the past 22 years (October 1976 to June 1998) 169 of the 188 patients with invasive pancreatic ductal carcinoma at Mie University Hospital were treated surgically. A standard operation was performed in the early period (October 1976 to April 1981, n = 34), an extended operation was performed in the middle period (May 1981 to March 1993, n = 100), and a modified standard operation was performed in the late period (April 1993 to June 1998, n = 35). 'Standard operation' means pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with D1 lymph node dissection (regional), and 'extended operation' means PD with D2-D3 lymph node dissection. Our 'modified standard operation' consists of PD with lymph node dissection limited to the anterior pancreaticoduodenal (APD), posterior pancreaticoduodenal (PPD), pyloric (PY), hepatoduodenal ligament (HDL), common hepatic artery (CH) and right half of the superior mesenteric (SM) nodes. Thus, the extent of lymph node dissection in the modified standard procedure lies between the level in the standard and extended procedure, but the PD is the same, with only slight modification in the reconstruction procedure. We consider the standard operation to be a less curative procedure and the extended operation to be a very stressful procedure and accordingly we have modified it (modified standard operation) in our recent cases out of consideration for patients' QOL. We found that postoperative QOL and survival were much better in the late period than in the early and middle periods.     

Clinical features and management of pancreatic cancer with bone metastases]

Prognosis of pancreatic cancer is one of the worst among various cancers, however, incidence of bone metastasis has been increased even in pancreatic cancer in recent years. Therefore, we examined clinical features of pancreatic cancer presenting bone metastases who were treated in our cancer center, and propose how to manage these patients. We experienced 13 patients (7.3%) with pancreatic cancer with bone metastases during 2000-2003. Among these patients, pancreatic cancer was located at pancreatic body to tail in 10 cases, while it was located at pancreatic head in 3 cases. Liver metastasis was noted in 7 of 13 cases with bone metastases. Radiographical imagings of bone lesions revealed osteolytic bone destruction, and serum levels of bone resorption marker, 1CTP, were elevated in these patients. Stimulation of osteoclastic bone resorption is a critical step for bone metastasis, thus, serum levels of cytokines (PTHrP, IL-6, VEGF), which exert a promotive effect on bone resorption, were measured. Serum levels of IL-6 and VEGF were elevated in most of these patients, while elevation of serum PTHrP levels was found in 3 of 13 patients with bone metastases. Survival periods of pancreatic cancer patients with bone metastases was not long, however, treatment for bone metastases is important in terms of quality of life (QOL). An earlier diagnosis is essential to prevent deterioration in the QOL of pancreatic cancer patients presenting bone metastases. Periodical measurement of serum 1CTP in addition to bone scintigraphy is helpful for the earlier diagnosis for bone metastases.     

Two cases of portal annular pancreas

Portal annular pancreas is one of the pancreatic fusion anomalies in which the uncinate process of the pancreas extends to fuse with the dorsal pancreas by encircling the portal vein or superior mesenteric vein. We report two consecutive patients with portal annular pancreas. The first case is a 71-year-old male patient who underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm in the head of pancreas. His preoperative computed tomography scan showed the suprasplenic type portal annular pancreas. The second case is a 74-year-old female patient who underwent a laparoscopic anterior radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) for pancreatic body cancer. In operative finding, portal confluence (superior mesenteric vein-splenic vein-portal vein) was encased with the uncinate process of pancreas in both cases. Therefore, they required pancreatic division at the pancreatic neck portion twice. During the postoperative period, grade B and A, respectively, postoperative pancreatic fistulas occurred and were controlled by conservative management. Surgeons need to know about this rare pancreatic condition prior to surgical intervention to avoid complications, and to provide patients with well-designed, case-specific pancreatic surgery.     

Preoperative diagnosis of extrapancreatic neural invasion in pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Pancreatic cancer recurs in most patients after resection with curative intent. Recurrence is particularly common in patients with extrapancreatic neural invasion (EPNI), the presence of which correlates with poor prognosis. Macroscopic EPNI may be detected with conventional noninvasive imaging and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) imaging, but microscopic EPNI has required postoperative pathologic examination of surgical specimens. We report the preoperative diagnosis of cancer infiltration into celiac ganglia. We hypothesized that microscopic pancreatic cancer metastasis to neural ganglia can be detected by EUS-guided biopsy examination. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing EUS in whom celiac ganglia were sampled to exclude malignant infiltration. RESULTS: Six patients with pancreatic cancer underwent EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration or trucut biopsy examination of presumed celiac ganglia. Metastatic cancer was found in ganglia of 2 patients. Specimen review identified adenocarcinoma and neural tissue in the absence of lymphocytes. At laparoscopy, 1 of the 2 patients with positive celiac biopsy specimens also had several unexpected peritoneal metastatic deposits. The other patient was considered to have locally advanced unresectable disease. Both patients are receiving supportive care. CONCLUSIONS: EPNI may be shown preoperatively in patients with pancreatic cancer using EUS-guided sampling of celiac ganglia. A preoperative diagnosis of EPNI has the potential to improve staging accuracy and patient outcomes.     

A novel surgical procedure of vagal nerve, lower esophageal sphincter, and pyloric sphincter-preserving nearly total gastrectomy reconstructed by single jejunal interposition, and postoperative quality of life

BACKGROUND/AIMS: For early gastric cancer total gastrectomy (TG) has so far been essentially unavoidable. We performed the nearly TG reconstructed by single jejunal interposition preservation of the vagal nerve, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and pyloric sphincter (D1 or D2 lymph node dissection, curability A) as a function-preserving surgical technique (i.e. NTG) to improve postoperative quality of life (QOL). In this report, the application criteria and points of the technique are outlined. QOL in patients after NTG was also compared with those after TG. METHODOLOGY: Sixteen subjects who underwent NTG (12 men and 4 women subjects at age 30 to 70 years, mean 55.6 years) were interviewed to inquire about abdominal symptoms and compared with 20 patients after conventional TG (excision with D2 lymph node, radical curability A) reconstructed by single jejunal interposition without preserving the vagal nerve, LES, and pyloric sphincter (i.e. TGI; 14 men and 6 women at age 26 to 70 years, mean 54.8 years). The former was named group A and the latter group B. Included were cases with early cancer localizing at the upper third and middle stomach, 2cm or further in distance from oral-side margin of the cancer to esophagogastric mucosal junction; and 3.5cm or further in distance from anal-side margin of the cancer to the pyloric sphincter. In excision with the lymph node, hepatic and celiac branches were preserved. To preserve LES, the abdominal esophagus was completely preserved. The pyloric antrum was also preserved at 1.5cm from the pyloric sphincter. The substitute stomach was created as a 30-cm-long single jejunal segment having orthodromic peristaltic movement. RESULTS: The operative procedure in group A significantly improved postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms such as appetite loss (p=0.0004), weight loss (p=0.0369), reflux esophagitis (RE) (p=0.0163), early dumping syndrome (p=0.0163), endoscopic RE (p=0.0311), and postgastrectomy cholecystolithiasis (p=0.0163) compared with group B. Oral intake per one meal 5 years after operation compared with that before operation was better in group A than in group B (p=0.0703). Postoperative epigastric fullness was significantly detected in group A compared with group B (p=0.0072). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed surgical technique of NTG is a function-preserving surgery appropriate to improve QOL of subjects with early gastric cancer. There was a defect in this technique of postprandial feeling of epigastric fullness. We think that a gut motility improvement agent is necessary to improve postprandial epigastric fullness after NTG.     

Preoperative microcoil embolization of the common hepatic artery for pancreatic body cancer

AIM: To evaluate safety and feasibility of microcoil embolization of the common hepatic artery under proper or distal balloon inflation in preoperative preparation for en bloc celiac axis resection for pancreatic body cancer.METHODS: Fifteen patients (11 males, 4 females; median age, 67 years) with pancreatic body cancer involving the nerve plexus surrounding the celiac artery underwent microcoil embolization. To alter the total hepatic blood flow from superior mesenteric artery (SMA), microcoil embolization of the common hepatic artery (CHA) was conducted in 2 cases under balloon inflation at the proximal end of the CHA and in 13 cases under distal microballoon inflation at the distal end of the CHA.RESULTS: Of the first two cases of microcoil embolization with proximal balloon inflation, the first was successful, but there was microcoil migration to the proper hepatic artery in the second. The migrated microcoil was withdrawn to the CHA by an inflated microballoon catheter. Microcoil embolization was successful in the other 13 cases with distal microballoon inflation, with no microcoil migration. Compact microcoil embolization under distal microballoon inflation created sufficient resistance against the vascular wall to prevent migration. Distal balloon inflation achieved the requisite 1 cm patency at the CHA end for vascular clamping. All patients underwent en bloc celiac axis resection without arterial reconstruction or liver ischemia.CONCLUSION: To impede microcoil migration to the proper hepatic artery during CHA microcoil embolization, distal microballoon inflation is preferable to proximal balloon inflation.     

Minimally invasive radical pancreatectomy for left-sided pancreatic cancer: Current status and future perspectives

Minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy has been regarded as a safe and effective treatment for benign and borderline malignant pancreatic lesions. However, its application for left-sided pancreatic cancer is still being debated. The clinical evidence for radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS)-based minimally invasive approaches for left-sided pancreatic cancer was reviewed. Potential indications and surgical concepts for minimally invasive RAMPS were suggested. Despite the limited clinical evidence for minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy in left-sided pancreatic cancer, the currently available clinical evidence supports the use of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy under oncologic principles in well-selected left sided pancreatic cancers. A pancreas-confined tumor with an intact fascia layer between the pancreas and left adrenal gland/kidney positioned more than 1 or 2 cm away from the celiac axis is thought to constitute a good condition for the use of margin-negative minimally invasive RAMPS. The use of minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) anterior RAMPS is feasible and safe for margin-negative resection in well-selected left-sided pancreatic cancer. The oncologic feasibility of the procedure remains to be determined; however, the currently available interim results indicate that even oncologic outcomes will not be inferior to those of open radical distal pancreatosplenectomy.     

Malignant schwannoma of the pancreas involving transversal colon treated with en-bloc resection

Pancreatic schwannoma is a very uncommon tumor of the pancreas,with only 27 cases reported.Most pancreatic schwannomas are benign,with only four malignant tumors reported.We describe a case of giant malignant schwannoma of the pancreatic body and tail,which involved the transverse colon.The tumor was treated successfully with en bloc distal splenopancreatectomy and colon resection.This is believed to be the first reported radical operation for malignant schwannoma of the pancreatic body,with infiltration of...     

Malignant schwannoma of the pancreas involving transversal colon treated with en-bloc resection

Pancreatic schwannoma is a very uncommon tumor of the pancreas,with only 27 cases reported.Most pancreatic schwannomas are benign,with only four malignant tumors reported.We describe a case of giant malignant schwannoma of the pancreatic body and tail,which involved the transverse colon.The tumor was treated successfully with en bloc distal splenopancreatectomy and colon resection.This is believed to be the first reported radical operation for malignant schwannoma of the pancreatic body,with infiltration of...     

老年女性乳腺癌166例临床分析

目的 探讨老年女性乳腺癌的手术效果.方法对1989年8月至2004年8月收治的166例老年女性乳腺癌患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析.结果166例中,改良根治术98例（59.0%）,根治术21例（12.7%）,全乳房切除术29例（17.5%）,肿瘤局部切除术18例（10.8%）.术后化疗126例,放疗12例,内分泌治疗73例.术后并发症发生率为10.8%,无手术死亡.术后3年和5年生存率分别为82.2%和65.2%.结论老年人乳腺癌采用手术及综合治疗可以取得满意的临床疗效,不同病情的患者应用不同的术式,老年并非是手术禁忌证;同时要内外科配合,重视并处理好并存症和术后并发症.     

Study of celiac artery variations and related surgical techniques in gastric cancer

AIM: To investigate celiac artery variations in gastric cancer patients and the impact on gastric cancer surgery,and also to discuss the value of the ultrasonic knife in reducing the risk caused by celiac artery variations.METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted to investigate the difference in average operation time,intraoperative blood loss, number of harvested lymph nodes, average postoperative drainage within 3 d,and postoperative hospital stay between the group with vascular variations and no vascular variations,and between the ultrasonic harmonic scalpel and conventional electric scalpel surgery group.RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-eight cases presented with normal celiac artery, and 80 presented with celiac artery variation(33.61%). The average operation time,blood loss, average drainage within 3 d after surgery in the celiac artery variation group were significantly more than in the no celiac artery variation group(215.7 ± 32.7 min vs 204.2 ± 31.3 min, 220.0 ± 56.7mL vs 163.1 ± 52.3 mL, 193.6 ± 41.4 mL vs 175.3± 34.1 mL, respectively, P 0.05). In celiac artery variation patients, the average operation time, blood loss, average drainage within 3 d after surgery in the ultrasonic harmonic scalpel group were significantly lower than in the conventional electric scalpel surgery group(209.5 ± 34.9 min vs 226.9 ± 29.4 min, 207.5 ±57.1 mL vs 235.6 ± 52.9 mL, 184.4 ± 38.2 mL vs 205.0± 42.9 mL, respectively, P 0.05), and the number of lymph node dissections was significantly higher than in the conventional surgery group(25.5 ± 9.2 vs 19.9 ±7.8, P 0.05).CONCLUSION: Celiac artery variation increases thedifficulty and risk of radical gastrectomy. Preoperative imaging evaluation and the application of ultrasonic harmonic scalpel are conducive to radical gastrectomy.     

Portal vein resection without reconstruction during Appleby operation in a patient with pancreatic body carcinoma with cavernous transformation.

The prognosis of pancreatic body carcinoma has been poor due to cancerous invasion of major vessels. Resection of the involved vessels may improve resectability and prognosis. We report a patient who had a pancreatic body carcinoma with cavernous transformation of the portal vein, in whom the portal vein was resected without reconstruction during an Appleby operation. A 67 year-old man was admitted for evaluation of back pain. Enhanced computed tomography showed no main trunk of the portal vein but a developed collateral circulation. Celiac angiography revealed encasement of the common hepatic, splenic and celiac artery. Venous angiography revealed obstruction of the portal and splenic veins with cavernous transformation surrounding these veins. Pre-operative diagnosis was carcinoma in the pancreatic body, which invaded the portal vein, the celiac and common hepatic arteries. The Appleby operation combined with resection of the portal vein without reconstruction could be performed, by preserving collateral vessels and monitoring hepatic venous oxygen saturation (ShvO2) to prevent hepatic ischemia caused by occlusion of the portal vein. The post-operative course was uneventful.     

老年乳腺癌203例外科治疗分析

目的评价老年妇女乳腺癌的手术效果，并重视其外科问题。方法分析并复查２０３例临床和随访资料。结果本组２０３例女性患者均进行手术。以改良根治术为主共９６例，占４７％；根治术５２例；扩大根治术５例；全乳切除术３９例；姑息性手术６例；电化疗术５例。本组术后３年、５年生存率分别为７７．２％和６８．２％。合并症７１％，术后并发症发生率１６．３％，术后死亡率１．５％。结论（１）老年乳腺癌经手术可改善生活质量，并有较高生存率，高龄并非是手术禁忌证。（２）内外科配合，重视并处理好合并症和术后并发症。（３）对每个患者应采取合适的术式和麻醉方法，术后精心护理。