Pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy with Billroth I type reconstruction: a viable option for pancreatic head resection

Background/Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) versus standard pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). Method: A cohort of 80 patients were studied for 5 years using prospectively gathered data. PPPD was performed in 48 (60%) patients, and the other 32 (40%) underwent a standard Whipple's operation with partial distal gastrectomy (PD). In all cases, the gastric or duodenal stump was anastomosed with the first loop of jejunum as a Billroth I-type reconstruction. Results: Overall, morbidity in the cohort of patients consisted of 10 with a pancreatic fistula, 5 with postoperative hemorrhage, 5 with sepsis, 3 with delayed gastric emptying, 2 with an anastomotic leak, and 1 each with intraabdominal hematoma or myocardial infarction. Major morbidity associated with PPPD appeared in 8 of the 48 (16.7%) patients compared with 2 of 32 (6.3%) in the PD group. There were two deaths (4.2%) in the PPPD group and one (3.1%) in the PD group. The mean length of hospital stay was 14.6 days for PPPD versus 17.1 days for PD. Of the 48 patients in the PPPD group 7 (14.6%) had a hospital stay of more than 20 days versus 8 of the 32 (25%) in the PD group. Conclusions: Contrary to recent reports, in our series the PPPD patients had a shorter hospital stay; and overall, 3 of the 80 (3.75%) patients developed delayed gastric emptying, a relatively low rate. The pancreatic fistula rate was almost threefold higher in the PPPD group than in the PD group (but did not prolong the inpatient stay). This may be due to an intact antrum secreting higher quantities of gastrin. Received: May 13, 2002 / Accepted: July 1, 2002 Offprint requests to: A. Kingsnorth     

Prospective Nonrandomized Comparison Between Pylorus-Preserving and Subtotal Stomach-Preserving Pancreaticoduodenectomy from the Perspectives of DGE Occurrence and Postoperative Digestive Functions

Background  To determine the influence of pylorus preservation after pancreaticoduodenectomy, we compared the postoperative course of subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (SSPPD) and pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD). Methods  A prospective, nonrandomized comparison of 77 consecutive patients undergoing PPPD (n = 37) or SSPPD (n = 40) between January 2003 and March 2007 was planned. The early postoperative course, dietary intake, and the incidence of delayed gastric emptying (DGE) were evaluated. Results  SSPPD included significantly more cases of regional lymph node dissection (D2, PPPD 53% vs. SSPPD 80%) and portal vein resection. The median duration of surgery (457 vs. 520 min) was significantly shorter, and blood loss (619 vs. 1,235 ml) was significantly less in PPPD. Regarding postoperative clinical factors, the duration of nasogastric tube intubation (1 vs.1 day), days until solid diet (7 vs. 7 days), and the incidence of DGE (9% vs.10%) were similar in PPPD and SSPPD. However, the postoperative/preoperative body weight ratio (95% vs. 93%) was significantly higher, and the postoperative hospital stay (31 vs. 38 days) was significantly shorter in PPPD (p < 0.05). Conclusions  Despite the bias of the operative factors, the incidence of DGE and postoperative dietary intake after SSPPD was comparable with PPPD, and therefore, pylorus preservation seemed to have no impact on postoperative dietary intake or DGE.     

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.     

Quality of life after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND: With increasing numbers of long-term survivors after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD), postoperative quality of life (QOL) has become a great concern. However, few reports are available on data of the postoperative changes in QOL after PPPD. METHODS:A total of 20 patients were studied regarding QOL before and at short term (within 2 months), intermediate term (6 months), and long term (1 year) after PPPD, using a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 13 physical and 10 psychosocial items. The medical records were also reviewed to evaluate objective nutritional status. Factors predicting delayed recovery of QOL were examined at intermediate term by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Overall and physical QOL scores returned to the preoperative level at intermediate term after PPPD, showing parallel changes with the objective nutritional status. However, the scores of psychosocial condition, which reflected the patient's mental health, remained low even at long term. QOL scores at intermediate term in patients with pancreatic carcinoma were significantly lower than those with other diseases. Univariate analysis showed that preoperative body weight loss, impaired preoperative pancreatic exocrine function, long operative time, intraoperative radiotherapy, pancreatic carcinoma, and postoperative diarrhea were factors predicting the delayed recovery of QOL. Multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative pancreatic exocrine function significantly affected the delayed recovery of QOL. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative supplement of pancreatic enzymes together with perioperative mental care would improve QOL at long term after PPPD.     

The impact of pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy on surgical treatment for cancer of the pancreatic head

Pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) was reintroduced in 1978. This pylorus-preserving modification was designed to minimize complications related to gastric resection, such as early satiety, marginal ulceration, and bile reflux gastritis, as well as diarrhea and dumping. Since 1978, PPPD has been performed preferentially for benign and malignant diseases of the periampullary region and pancreatic head. Some groups have argued against PPPD for cancer of the pancreatic head, because the pylorus-preserving procedure is likely to compromise the field of resection and does not allow lymph node dissection of the peripyloric and perigastric groups. However, comparative survival rates after PPPD have been the same as, or better than, those with classic pancreatoduodenectomy, showing the rationale for PPPD as a radical resection procedure for cancer of the pancreatic head. PPPD can be performed with low mortality. Delayed gastric emptying, which is the most common complication in the immediate postoperative period after PPPD, is always transient. Many investigators have shown that body weight and the majority of nutritional parameters are better than after PD. PPPD does not appear to cause any negative outcomes. We conclude that PPPD is the surgical procedure of choice for cancer of the head of the pancreas. Received: April 13, 2001 / Accepted: June 6, 2001     

Delayed Gastric Emptying after Pancreatoduodenectomy

With pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) the goal is to reduce long-term morbidities such as gastric dumping, marginal ulceration or bile-reflux gastritis. Compared with the classical Whipple procedure, PPPD is affected by an equal postoperative morbidity but is known to induce delayed gastric emptying (DGE). It is difficult to evaluate the true incidence of DGE after PPPD (from 5 to 50% according to the literature).

Early and low doses of erythromycin in the postoperative period could prevent the onset of DGE and the administration of cisapride 15 mg/day improves gastric emptying up to 6 months after PPPD.     

Prospective, randomized trial on the effect of cyclic versus continuous enteral nutrition on postoperative gastric function after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of a cyclic versus a continuous enteral feeding protocol on postoperative delayed gastric emptying, start of normal diet, and hospital stay was assessed in patients undergoing pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Delayed gastric emptying occurs in approximately 30% of patients after PPPD and causes prolonged hospital stay. Enteral nutrition through a catheter jejunostomy is used to provide postoperative nutritional support. Enteral infusion of fats and proteins activates neurohumoral feedback mechanisms and therefore can potentially impair gastric emptying and prolong postoperative gastroparesis. METHODS: From September 1995 to December 1996, 72 consecutive patients underwent PPPD at the Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam. Fifty-seven patients were included and randomized for either continuous (CON) jejunal nutrition (0-24 hr; 1500 kCal/24 hr) or cyclic (CYC) enteral nutrition (6-24 hr; 1125 kCal/18 hr). Both groups had an equal caloric load of 1 kCal/min. The following parameters were assessed: days of nasogastric intubation, days of enteral nutrition, days until normal diet was tolerated orally, and hospital stay. On postoperative day 10, plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) levels were measured during both feeding protocols. RESULTS: Nasogastric intubation was 9.1 days in the CON group (n = 30) and 6.7 days in the CYC group (n = 27) (not statistically significant). First day of normal diet was earlier for the CYC group (15.7 vs. 12.2 days, p < 0.05). Hospital stay was shorter in the CYC group (21.4 vs. 17.5 days, p < 0.05). CCK levels were lower in CYC patients, before and after feeding, compared with CON patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cyclic enteral feeding after PPPD is associated with a shorter period of enteral nutrition, a faster return to a normal diet, and a shorter hospital stay. Continuously high CCK levels could be a cause of prolonged time until normal diet is tolerated in patients on continuous enteral nutrition. Cyclic enteral nutrition is therefore the feeding regimen of choice in patients after PPPD.     

Delayed gastric emptying after pancreatoduodenectomy

With pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) the goal is to reduce long-term morbidities such as gastric dumping, marginal ulceration or bile-reflux gastritis. Compared with te classical Whipple procedure, PPPD is affected by an equal postoperative morbidity but is known to induce delayed gastric emptying (DGE). It is difficult to evaluate the true incidence of DGE after PPPD (from 5 to 50% according to the literature). Early and low doses of erythromycin in the postoperative period could prevent the onset of DGE and the administration of cisapride 15 mg/day improves gastric emptying up to 6 months after PPPD.     

Preservation of the Pyloric Ring Has Little Value in Surgery for Pancreatic Head Cancer: A Comparative Study Comparing Three Surgical Procedures

Background

Pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) has replaced conventional pancreatoduodenectomy with a distal gastrectomy (cPD) as the most commonly performed procedure. However, there has been no evidence from prospective studies to indicate the overwhelming superiority of PPPD over cPD. A recent report revealed that resection of the pyloric ring reduced the incidence of delayed gastric emptying (DGE) in a randomized controlled trial.

Methods

In 158 patients with pancreatic head cancer, the perioperative outcomes and long-term nutritional consequences were retrospectively compared among three types of pancreatoduodenectomy: cPD; PPPD; and subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (SSPPD), in which the pyloric ring and duodenum were removed and more than 90% of the stomach was preserved.

Results

The incidence of DGE was significantly higher in the PPPD group than in the cPD and SSPPD groups (27.3 vs. 5.8 and 5.4%, respectively; P?=?0.0012). The serum albumin concentration and total lymphocyte count at 1?year postoperatively were significantly higher in the SSPPD group than in the PPPD group (P?=?0.0303 and P?=?0.0203, respectively). The patients in the SSPPD group showed longer survival times than the patients in the cPD and PPPD groups (median survival times, 21.3, 17.1, and 17.7?months, respectively), although the differences did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that preservation of the pyloric ring without vagal innervation has little significance, and that SSPPD with better perioperative and long-term outcomes is more suitable as a standard procedure for patients with pancreatic head cancer.     

Outcome of pancreaticoduodenectomy with pylorus preservation or with antrectomy in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short- and long-term results of pancreaticoduodenectomy with pylorus preservation (PPPD) or with antrectomy (Whipple procedure) in the treatment of selected patients with chronic pancreatitis. BACKGROUND: PPPD may be preferred over Whipple because of its purported nutritional advantages and the reduced likelihood of postgastrectomy syndromes. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 72 consecutive patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for chronic pancreatitis between 1991 and 1997. RESULTS: PPPD was performed in 39 patients and Whipple in 33. The two patient populations had similar characteristics. Short-term complications included (PPPD vs. Whipple): pancreatic or biliary fistulas (5.1% vs. 15%), delayed gastric emptying (33% vs. 12%), cholangitis (2.6% vs. 6.1%), and death (0 vs. 3%). Delayed gastric emptying was not associated with other complications and resulted in longer hospital stays for PPPD than for Whipple patients (15 vs. 12 days). The duration of follow-up averaged 41 +/- 24 months. Long-term weight status was similar, with body-mass indices of 22.1 and 22.9 after PPPD and Whipple, respectively. Postoperative enzyme supplementation (63% vs. 77%) and new-onset diabetes (10% vs. 12%) did not differ significantly between the PPPD and Whipple groups. Dumping, bile gastritis, or peptic ulcer disease occurred in three patients after PPPD and in three after Whipple. Complete or partial pain relief was attained in 60% and 70% of patients after PPPD and Whipple, respectively. Multivariate analysis of preoperative variables revealed that site-specific pathology in the head of the pancreas was the only independent factor associated with successful pain relief after pancreatic resection. CONCLUSION: PPPD results in higher frequencies of postoperative delayed gastric emptying compared with the Whipple procedure. Both operations achieve comparable long-term nutritional results, cause new insulin dependence in surprisingly few patients, and provide equivalent pain relief to 65% of selected patients. Patients with disproportionate pathology in the head of the pancreas have a higher likelihood of successful pain relief.     

An Antecolic Roux-en Y type Reconstruction Decreased Delayed Gastric Emptying after Pylorus-Preserving Pancreatoduodenectomy

The aim of this study was to identify a preferable procedure reducing the incidence of delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD). Data on 132 consecutive patients with pancreatobiliary disease, who underwent PPPD, were collected retrospectively. A retrocolic Billroth I type reconstruction (B-I group) and an antecolic Roux-en Y type reconstruction (R-Y group) were performed for 54 and 78 patients after PPPD, respectively. Clinical measures of DGE were compared between the two groups. The incidence of DGE was 81% in B-I group and 10% in R-Y group (P < 0.001). The type of reconstruction (P < 0.001), operative time (P = 0.016), and postoperative complications (P = 0.001) were significantly associated with DGE by univariate analysis. Only the type of reconstruction (P < 0.001) was identified as an independent factor, which was associated with DGE by multivariate analysis. An antecolic Roux-en Y type duodenojejunostomy could be a useful reconstruction method after PPPD to prevent the occurrence of DGE.     

Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy with combined resection of the portal vein and gastrointestinal reconstruction by imanaga procedure for ductal cancer of the head of the pancreas

Twenty-six patients who underwent pyloruspreserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) for ductal cancer of the head of the pancreas between 1983 and 1993 were reviewed. Gastrointestinal continuity was restored by the methods of Imanaga (n=21) and Traverso (n=5). Combined resection of the portal vein and/or superior mesenteric vein was performed in 13 patients. Surgical complications occurred in 5 patients, but there were no postoperative deaths. Delayed gastric emptying was observed in 42% of patients. The median survival time for all 26 patients was 13 months. Three patients survived for more than 3 years, and one of them is currently alive without recurrence at 10 years. Differences in survival rates were not apparent between patients who underwent PPPD with and without portal vein resection. Survival rate after PPPD was compared with that after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) performed between 1974 and 1992; the difference was not significant. Patients who underwent noncurative PPPD had a significantly better survival rate than those who underwent noncurative PD (P<0.05). PPPD has improved the quality of life of the resected patients, without reducing survival rate. At present, PPPD by the Imanaga procedure could be the best choice for management of cancer of the pancreatic head.     

Type of gastrointestinal reconstruction affects postoperative recovery after pancreatic head resection

Background/Purpose The postoperative recovery of gastric motility with various reconstructions after pancreatic head resection has been reported. However, little is known about this recovery after pancreatic head resection with segmental duodenectomy (PHRSD). Some have attributed gastric stasis after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) to tube gastrostomy, but its effect on gastric motility has not been investigated. In this study, the postoperative recovery after PHRSD and PPPD, and gastric motility with and without gastrostomy after PPPD were investigated. Methods We analyzed the first appearance of gastric phase III motility, postoperative systemic status, and body weight (BW; n = 32). The Imanaga PPPD and PHRSD were compared because the procedures differ only in the length of the remaining duodenum. Traverso and Roux-en-Y PPPDs were compared because the two procedures are similar except for the creation of gastrostomy. Results (1) Times to first appearance of gastric phase III motility and BW recovery were significantly better after PHRSD than after the Imanaga PPPD (P < 0.05). (2) Times to first gastric phase III motility and resumption of a regular diet as well as periods of gastric sump tube use and postoperative hospital stay were significantly shorter after the Roux-en-Y than after the Traverso PPPD (P < 0.05). Conclusions Preservation of as long a portion of the duodenum as possible, the choice of a Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy, and the avoidance of peritoneal fixation of the gastric wall may be factors that improve the recovery of gastric motility and BW after pancreatic head resection.     

502例胰十二指肠切除术后主要并发症的临床分析

目的 总结胰十二指肠切除术(PD)的主要并发症的原因和防治措施.方法 回顾性分析1986年1月至2007年12月南京医科大学第一附属医院施行的502例PD,其中保留幽门的胰十二指肠切除术(PPPD)87例,联合切除19例.结果 术后近期并发症的发生率为31.5%(158/502),手术死亡率为3.2%(16/502),因并发症而再手术32例,再手术死亡率9.4%(3/32).以1999年为界将PD手术病人分为两个阶段进行对照,结果 显示:第一、二阶段的手术并发症分别为33.7%(56/166)、30.4%(102/336),死亡率分别为4.2%(7/166)、2.4%(8/336),无显著差异.结论 消化道和腹腔出血、胰瘘、多器官功能衰竭、腹腔感染等是PD病人死亡的主要原因.适当的围手术期处理和熟练的外科操作技术是降低手术并发症和死亡率的重要因素.     

Management of postoperative arterial hemorrhage after pancreato-biliary surgery according to the site of bleeding: re-laparotomy or interventional radiology

Background/Purpose  Intra-abdominal arterial hemorrhage is still one of the most serious complications after pancreato-biliary surgery. We retrospectively analyzed our experiences with 15 patients in order to establish a therapeutic strategy for postoperative arterial hemorrhage following pancreato-biliary surgery. Methods  Between August 1981 and November 2007, 15 patients developed massive intra-abdominal arterial bleeding after pancreato-biliary surgery. The initial surgery of these 15 patients were pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) (7 patients), hemihepatectomy and caudate lobectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection or PPPD (4 patients), Whipple’s pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) (3 patients), and total pancreatectomy (1 patient). Twelve patients were managed by transcatheter arterial embolization and three patients underwent re-laparotomy. Results  Patients were divided into two groups according to the site of bleeding: SMA group, superior mesenteric artery (4 patients); HA group, stump of gastroduodenal artery, right hepatic artery, common hepatic artery, or proper hepatic artery (11 patients). In the SMA group, re-laparotomy and coil embolization for pseudoaneurysm were performed in three and one patients, respectively, but none of the patients survived. In the HA group, all 11 patients were managed by transcatheter arterial embolization. None of four patients who had major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection survived. Six of seven patients (85.7%) who had pancreatectomy survived, although hepatic infarction occurred in four. Conclusions  Management of postoperative arterial hemorrhage after pancreato-biliary surgery should be done according to the site of bleeding and the initial operative procedure. Careful consideration is required for indication of interventional radiology for bleeding from SMA after pancreatectomy and hepatic artery after major hepatectomy with bilioenteric anastomosis.     

Pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy for cancer treatment: Surgical procedure, indications, and analysis of outcomes

Factors determining the prognosis of cancer of the pancreatic head were analyzed in 100 patients who had undergone surgical treatment. So as to clarify the indications for pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD), the prognosis was compared in two sets of such patients, 25 who had undergone PPPD and 25 who had undergone the Whipple procedure. Of these 50 patients, 20 (40%) also underwent portal vein resection and 29 (58%) were found to have lymph node metastasis. Curative resection was achieved in 33 of these 50 patients (66%) and the 5-year survival rate after the curative resection (42.0%) was significantly higher in these patients that in those given a non-curative resection (P <0.01). Further, the prognosis was better for patients who did not require a portal vein excision than for those who did (P<0.01), and for patients who showed no lymph node metastasis than for those with metastasis (P<0.01). The 5-year survival rate did not differ significantly between the PPPD group and the Whipple procedure group. These results indicate that PPPD can also be a useful procedure for treating malignant diseases.     

Effects of H2-receptor antagonist and selective muscarinic receptor antagonist on early gastric stagnation after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy: Results of a randomized controlled study

The suppressive effects of an H₂-receptor antagonist, ranitidine, and a selective muscarinic receptor antagonist, pirenzepine, in improving gastric stasis during the early postoperative period after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) were assessed. Thirty-two PPPD patients were divided into four groups of 8 patients each. Group 1 served as controls and were given no medication. Group 2 received i.v. ranitidine alone, group 3 received i.v. pirenzepine alone, and group 4 received i.v. ranitidine and pirenzepine combined. The daily volume and the total acidity of the gastric juice, aspirated via a nasogastric tube, were measured on post-PPPD days 1–13. One patient in group 1 was withdrawn from this study due to severe gastric bleeding. The mean daily aspirated volume of gastric juice in group 1 (n=7) was 1043±362 ml on the 3rd postoperative day, and it gradually fell after the 5th postoperative day, but still exceeded 500 ml on day 13. In group 2 (n=8), the mean maximum volume, 614±251ml, was reached on the 4th postoperative day, and in group 3 (n=8), the mean maximum volume, 680 + 391 ml, was reached on the 3rd postoperative day. In contrast, in group 4 (n=8), the gastric juice output appeared to be suppressed and the mean maximum volume was 380±218 ml, this being reached on the 6th postoperative day. Gastric juice secretion was significantly higher in group 1 than in the other three groups (P<0.01). The total acidity was significantly lower in groups 3 and 4 than in group 1 (P<0.01). These results indicate that the postoperative administration of the combination of ranitidine and pirenzepine suppresses the volume and acidity of the gastric juice after a PPPD.     

Posttransplant outcomes of peritoneal dialysis versus hemodialysis patients

The impact of dialysis modality on posttransplant outcomes remains controversial. The authors have compared primary failure, delayed graft function (DGF), acute rejection episodes as well as patient and allograft survivals among patients undergoing renal transplantation between 2004 and 2009, according to the modality of hemodialysis (HD) versus peritoneal dialysis (PD). We studied 306 patients (268 HD and 38 PD) with a mean follow-up of 29 ± 16 months. The PD cohort included a predominance of females (68.4% vs 36.2%; P = .001), lower age at transplantation (38 ± 14 vs 46 ± 12 years; P = .004), shorter time on dialysis (33 ± 49 vs 59 ± 157 months; P = .043), and higher rate of living donor grafts (PD 31.6% vs HD 13.1%; P = .003). Donor age (PD 43 ± 13 vs HD 45 ± 14 years; P = .30), human leukocyte antigen mismatch (P = .17), panel reactive antibody values (HD 11 ± 22 vs PD 13 ± 26; P = .55), and hyperimunized patients (HD 3.73%; PD 7.89%; P = .23) were not different. Primary graft failure (3.4% vs 0%; P = .025) and DGF (37.1% vs 13.1%; P = .037) were more frequent among HD patients, but incidences of acute rejection episodes were similar (HD 10.5% vs PD 5.3%; P = 0.19). Neither recipient survival at 1 (97% in PD and HD) or 3 years (HD 90% vs PD 94%; P = .657) nor allograft survival at 1 year (HD 94% vs PD 95%; P = .80) or 3 years: (HD 70%, vs PD 81%; P = .73) were different. Graft function was similar at 1 (HD 64.2 ± 25 vs PD 56.4 ± 24 mL/min; P = .17) and 3 years (HD 62.3 ± 21 vs PD 46 ± 23 mL/min; P = .16). In our study, HD patients showed an higher incidence of DGF and primary allograft failure, but there was no difference in acute rejection episodes, long-term survivals, or renal function.     

Clinical significance of postoperative acute pancreatitis after pancreatoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy

BackgroundThe definition of postoperative acute pancreatitis as a specific complication of pancreatic surgery was proposed in 2016. Its presence and relevance have not been established, especially after a distal pancreatectomy.MethodsMedical records of 319 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy were analyzed. Postoperative acute pancreatitis was defined as an increase in serum amylase activity greater than the upper normal limit on postoperative day 1, according to Connor’s definition of postoperative acute pancreatitis.ResultsPostoperative acute pancreatitis occurred in 63.4% of 153 of the patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy and 65.7% of the 166 undergoing distal pancreatectomies. Patients who developed postoperative acute pancreatitis after pancreatoduodenectomy experienced an increase in the rate of morbidity (22.7% vs 7.1%; P = .0137), including postoperative pancreatic fistula (18.6% vs 1.8%; P = .024), resulting in greater postoperative stays (21 days vs 17 days; P = .0008). Postoperative acute pancreatitis in association with an increased serum C-reactive protein ≥18.0 mg/dL (which we defined as a clinically relevant postoperative acute pancreatitis) more strongly indicated the occurrence of severe complications (P = .0032) and was an independent predictor of postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreatoduodenectomy (odds ratio, 3.03; P = .0448). Patients who developed postoperative acute pancreatitis after distal pancreatectomy experienced similar postoperative courses regarding morbidity and the duration of postoperative stay.ConclusionThe clinical relevance of postoperative acute pancreatitis differs after a pancreatoduodenectomy versus a distal pancreatectomy. The development of effective strategies for preventing postoperative acute pancreatitis might improve surgical outcomes after pancreatoduodenectomy.     

Comparison of the Functional Outcome after Pylorus-preservingPancreatoduodenectomy: Pancreatogastrostomy and Pancreatojejunostomy

To determine if there is any differencein pancreatic function after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy(PPPD) according to the type of pancreatoenterostomy[pancreatojejunostomy (P-J) or pancreatogastrostomy (P-G)], weevaluated the long-term functional status of 34 patients who underwentPPPD and survived for more than 1 year without clinical evidence ofrecurrence. Altogether 20 patients underwent P-J and 14 P-G. To comparethe two groups, we analyzed the (1) general nutritional status; (2)quality of life using three scoring systems; (3) gastrointestinalsymptoms; and (4) pancreatic exocrine function by the stool elastase Itest and endocrine function by oral glucose tolerance test (GTT). AfterPPPD, body weight decreased in both groups, with no difference betweenthe two groups. No statistical differences were found in tricepsskinfold thickness or serum protein/albumin. Regarding the quality oflife and postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms, there were nodifferences between the two groups except steatorrhea. There were 4mild and 15 severe cases of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency amongthose who underwent P-J, whereas all of the patients who underwent P-Gshowed severe pancreatic insufficiency. On GTT, excluding preoperativediabetes patients, 43.8% (7/16) of the P-J group had abnormal resultsafter surgery, whereas, 75.0% (9/12) of the PG group had an abnormalpostoperative GTT (p = 0.11). Severe exocrine andendocrine pancreatic insufficiency developed after PPPD in both the P-Jand P-G groups, but there was more functional deterioration in the P-Ggroup than in the P-J group. General nutritional status and quality oflife were not affected by the pancreatoenterostomy method in eithergroup.