Rapid postoperative reduction in prognostic nutrition index is associated with the development of pancreatic fistula following distal pancreatectomy

BackgroundsDespite recent advances in surgical techniques and devices for pancreatic remnant closure, postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) still remains one of the common complications after distal pancreatectomy (DP). Identification of risk factors for POPF may lead to the development of new strategies to prevent this ominous complication.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed data on 44 patients undergoing DP with the use of a stapler to identify risk factors for POPF. Study variables included preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and reduction rate of PNI on postoperative day (POD) 7.ResultsPOPF occurred in 23 patients (52%), of which 13 (56%) were grade B or C. Univariate analyses comparing patients with POPF and those without POPF showed significant differences in body mass index (P = 0.0102), pancreatic thickness (P = 0.0134), white blood cell count on POD7 (P = 0.0432), C-reactive protein level on POD7 (P = 0.0123), and PNI reduction rate (P = 0.0471). A multivariate analysis revealed pancreatic thickness (P = 0.0121) and PNI reduction rate (P = 0.0165) to be significant factors for POPF. Furthermore, the PNI reduction rate was significantly higher in patients with clinically relevant (grade B/C) POPF than in those with no or grade A POPF (P = 0.0257). In most patients, the massive postoperative PNI reduction preceded the diagnosis of clinically relevant POPF.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that rapid postoperative reduction in PNI is associated with the development of POPF.     

Perioperative management of distal pancreatectomy

Recent advances in surgical techniques and perioperative management have markedly reduced operative morbidity after distal pancreatectomy(DP).However,some questions remain regarding the protocol for the perioperative management of DP,in particular,with regard to the development of pancreatic fistula(PF).A review of DP was therefore conducted in order to standardize the management of patients for a favorable outcome.Overall,operative technique and perioperative management emerged as two critical factors contributing to favorable outcome in DP patients.As for the operative method,surgical and closure techniques exhibited differences in outcome.Laparoscopic DP generally yields more favorable perioperative outcomes compared to open DP,and is applicable for benign tumors and some ductal carcinomas of the pancreas.Robotic DP is also available for safe pancreatic surgery.En bloc celiac axis resection offers a high R0 resection rate and potentially allows for some local control in the case of advanced pancreatic cancer.Following resection,staple closure was not found to reduce the rate of PF when compared to hand-sewn closure.In addition,ultrasonic dissection devices,fibrin glue sealing,and staple closure with mesh reinforcement were shown to significantly reduce PF,although there was some bias in these studies.In perioperative management,both preoperative and postoperative treatment affected outcome.First,preoperative endoscopic pancreatic stenting may be an effective prophylactic measure against fistula development following DP in selected patients.Second,in postoperative management,a multifactorial approach including prophylactic antibiotics improved high surgical site infection rates following complex hepato-pancreatobiliary surgery.Furthermore,although conflicting results have been reported,somatostatin analogues should be administered selectively to patients considered to have a high risk for PF.Finally,careful drain management also facilitates a favorable outcome in patients with PF after DP.The results of the review indicate that laparoscopic DP coupled with perioperative management influences outcome in DP patients.     

Transection using bipolar scissors reduces pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy

Background/Purpose

Various methods and technique for treating the surgical stump of the remnant pancreas have been reported to reduce pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy (DP). However, appropriate surgical stump closure after DP is still controversial. We aimed to clarify whether using bipolar scissors in DP reduces pancreatic fistula compared to hand-sewn suture of surgical stump closure.

Methods

Between January 1989 and December 2005, handsewn suture of surgical stump closure was performed (n = 49), and bipolar scissors was prospectively performed between January 2006 and July 2007 (n = 26).

Results

The overall rate of pancreatic fistula after DP was 22 patients (29%). There were significant differences between the hand-sewn suture group (41%) and bipolar scissors group (8%) concerning pancreatic fistula (P = 0.0164). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that two factors, soft pancreas and hand-sewn suture compared to bipolar scissors, were independent risk factors of pancreatic fistula after DP (P = 0.011 and 0.0361, respectively).

Conclusions

Bipolar scissors for transection of the pancreas is a useful device to reduce pancreatic fistula after DP.     

Ligamentum teres hepatis patch enhances the healing of pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy

Pancreatic fistula is one of the most common complications after the distal pancreatectomy. Many methods have been tried to solve the problem, but no one is optimal, especially for the soft pancreatic stump cases. This study used ligamentum teres hepatis as a patch to cover the pancreatic stump. Between October 2010 and December 2012, seventy-seven patients who had undergone distal pancreatectomy with a soft pancreatic stump were divided into two groups: group A (n=39, patients received conventional ligated main pancreatic duct method) and group B (n=38, patients underwent a coverage procedure). Patients in group A had a longer recovery from postoperative pancreatic fistula than those in group B (16.4±3.5 vs 10.8±1.6 days, P<0.05). The coverage procedure with ligamentum teres hepatis is a safe, effective and convenient method for patients with a soft pancreas remnant during distal pancreatectomy.     

Perioperative hydrocortisone treatment reduces postoperative pancreatic fistula rate after open distal pancreatectomy. A randomized placebo-controlled trial

BackgroundPostoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is the most common complication after distal pancreatectomy (DP). In a recent RCT on pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), perioperative hydrocortisone (HC) treatment reduced Clavien-Dindo (C-D) III-V complications. The aim of this study was to investigate whether perioperative HC treatment reduces the overall complications and clinically significant POPF after distal pancreatectomy (DP).MethodsFourty consecutive patients undergoing DP were randomized to receive intravenous HC 100mg/placebo every eight hours until the second postoperative day. Thirty-one patients were completed with DP and received HC/placebo every 8 h for two days postoperatively. The primary endpoint was overall complications (C-D III-V) and the secondary endpoint was the development of clinically significant POPF.ResultsPancreatic duct diameter, operative time and blood loss were similar in the groups. Ninety-day mortality was zero. With HC treatment the rates of C-D III-V complications tended to be lower compared to the placebo group (5.9% vs 21.4%, p = 0.034). The rate of grade B/C POPF was significantly reduced with HC treatment compared to the placebo group (5.9% vs. 42.9%, p = 0.028).ConclusionPerioperative HC treatment may have a favourable effect on overall major complications after open DP. HC treatment reduces the incidence of clinically significant POPF after open DP.     

Surgical management for the prevention of pancreatic fistula following distal pancreatectomy

Although the mortality rate related to pancreatic surgery has been reduced recently, the postoperative morbidity is still high, because of various complications. Pancreatic fistula is one of the most common complications following distal pancreatectomy, and is generally hard to cure. Several surgical techniques and devices, such as the use of fibrin-glue sealing, stapler closure, an ultrasonic dissector, or an ultrasonically activated scalpel have been advocated to prevent pancreatic fistula. In the present review we provide an overview of several devices used for the prevention of pancreatic fistula following distal pancreatectomy.     

Evaluation of allowable pancreatic resection rate depending on preoperative risk factors for new-onset diabetes mellitus after distal pancreatectomy

BackgroundAlthough more patients have long-term survival after pancreatectomy, the details of pancreatogenic diabetes mellitus (DM) are still unclear. We aimed to investigate the incidence of new-onset DM (NODM) after distal pancreatectomy (DP) and to clarify the risk factors, including allowable pancreatic resection rate (PR), for NODM.MethodsThe incidence, onset time, and risk factors for NODM were retrospectively evaluated in 150 patients who underwent DP without preoperative DM and with >5 years of postoperative follow-up between 2005 and 2015.ResultsThe incidence rate of NODM was 39%, and 60% of this incidence was noted within 6 months postoperatively. In the multivariate analysis, hemoglobin A1c ≥ 5.8% (odds ratio [OR] 7.6), impaired glucose tolerance and/or impaired fasting glucose (OR 4.2), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance ≥1.4 (OR 5.5), and insulinogenic index <0.7 (OR 3.9) were the preoperative risk factors for NODM. Based on these four preoperative risk factors of NODM, we made the new scoring system to predict the NODM after DP. The NODM incidence was 0%, 8%, 48%, 60%, and 86% in patients with risk scores 0 (n = 25), 1 (n = 36), 2 (n = 33), 3 (n = 35), and 4 (n = 21), respectively. PRs ≥42.1% and ≥30.9% were allowable in the preoperative risk-score 0–1 and 2–4 groups. In the former group, the NODM incidence for PR ≥ 42.1% and <42.1% was significantly different (20% vs 0%, P < 0.05). In the latter group, the NODM incidence for PR ≥ 30.9% vs <30.9% was significantly different (75% vs 23%, P < 0.05).ConclusionsWe clarified the preoperative risk factors and allowable PR for NODM and recommended the use of a risk scoring system for predicting NODM preoperatively.     

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Preoperative endoscopic pancreatic stenting: a novel prophylactic measure against pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy

Background/Purpose

The prevention of pancreatic fistula is still a major problem in distal pancreatectomy (DP). We have recently adopted preoperative endoscopic pancreatic stenting with the aim of preventing the leakage of pancreatic juice from the resection plane of the remnant pancreas after DP. We reviewed ten patients who underwent this intervention.

Methods

One to 6 days before surgery, the patients underwent an endoscopic transpapillary pancreatic stent (7 Fr., 3 cm) placement. The perioperative short-term outcomes were assessed.

Results

Preoperative endoscopic pancreatic stenting was successfully performed in all ten patients. Two (20%) patients, both with intraductal papillary mucinous tumor, developed mild acute pancreatitis after the stent placement. None of the ten patients developed pancreatic fistula. The pancreatic stent was removed 8–28 days (mean, 11 days) postoperatively.

Conclusions

Preoperative endoscopic pancreatic stenting may be an effective prophylactic measure against pancreatic fistula development following DP.

     

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is as safe and feasible as open procedure: a meta-analysis

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) compared with open distal pancreatectomy (ODP).METHODS: Meta-analysis was performed using the databases, including PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science and BIOSIS Previews. Articles should contain quantitative data of the comparison of LDP and ODP. Each article was reviewed by two authors. Indices of operative time, spleen-preserving rate, time to fluid intake, ratio of malignant tumors, postoperative hospital stay, incidence rate of pancreatic fistula and overall morbidity rate were analyzed.RESULTS: Nine articles with 1341 patients who underwent pancreatectomy met the inclusion criteria. LDP was performed in 501 (37.4%) patients, while ODP was performed in 840 (62.6%) patients. There were significant differences in the operative time, time to fluid intake, postoperative hospital stay and spleen-preserving rate between LDP and ODP. There was no difference between the two groups in pancreatic fistula rate [random effects model, risk ratio (RR) 0.996 (0.663, 1.494), P = 0.983, I² = 28.4%] and overall morbidity rate [random effects model, RR 0.81 (0.596, 1.101), P = 0.178, I² = 55.6%].CONCLUSION: LDP has the advantages of shorter hospital stay and operative time, more rapid recovery and higher spleen-preserving rate as compared with ODP.     

Laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic neoplasms: A retrospective study

AIM: To describe the clinical characteristics, technical procedures, and outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (LSPDP) for benign and malignant pancreatic neoplasms.METHODS: The clinical data of 38 patients who underwent LSPDP in the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital between January 2003 and August 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. Surgical techniques for LSPDP included preservation of the splenic artery and vein (Kimura’s technique) and ligation of the splenic pedicle with preservation of the short gastric vessels (Warshaw’s technique).RESULTS: There were no conversions to open surgery in the 38 patients. Splenic vessels were conserved during spleen-preserving pancreatectomy, except in two patients who underwent resection of the splenic vessels and preservation only of the short gastric vessels. The mean operation time was 123.2 ± 52.4 min, the mean intraoperative blood loss was 78.2 ± 39.5 mL, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 7.6 ± 2.9 d. The overall rate of postoperative complications was 18.4% (7/38), and the rate of clinical pancreatic fistula was 13.2% (5/38). All postoperative complications were treated conservatively. The postoperative pathological diagnoses were 22 cases of benign pancreatic disease and 16 cases of borderline or low-grade malignant lesions. During a median follow-up of 38 mo (range: 5-133 mo), no recurrence was observed.CONCLUSION: LSPDP is a safe, feasible and effective procedure for the treatment of benign and low-grade malignant tumors of the distal pancreas.     

胰十二指肠切除术后胰瘘发生的危险因素分析

目的 分析胰十二指肠切除术后胰瘘发生的危险因素,为临床有效降低术后并发症提供理论依据.方法 回顾性分析2009年9月至2012年9月上海交通大学医学院附属仁济医院收治的352例因癌症行胰十二指肠切除术患者的临床资料,根据术后有无发生胰瘘将患者分为胰瘘组和非胰瘘组进行对列研究.对围手术期可能影响术后发生胰瘘的多种因素进行单因素分析及多变量Logistic回归分析.结果 共49例胰十二指肠切除术后发生胰瘘,胰瘘发生率为13.9％ (49/352).经单因素及多因素分析,术后胰瘘的发生与患者性别和年龄、糖尿病病史、手术时间、术中出血量、是否血管切除重建、胰管是否留置支撑管、胰肠吻合时间、消化道重建方式等均无关;而胰腺质地脆、胰管直径＜3 mm、术前血清总胆红素水平＞ 171 μmol/L、术前黄疸持续时间超过8周、术前血清白蛋白水平＜30 g/L是影响术后胰瘘发生的独立危险因素(P值均＜0.05).结论 胰腺质地、胰管直径、术前黄疸程度、黄疸持续时间及低蛋白血症是影响胰十二指肠切除术后胰瘘发生的危险因素.     

Division of the pancreas at the neck reduces postoperative pancreatic fistula in laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: Comparison of pancreatic division at the body

Backgroundobjectives: During laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP), the optimal site for pancreatic division with consideration of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is unclear. We evaluate which site of pancreatic division, neck or body, has better outcomes after LDP.MethodsThis was a retrospective, observational study. LDP was performed in 102 consecutive patients between December 2009 and May 2020. After excluding 14 patients with pancreatic division at tail, 88 patients (pancreatic division at neck n = 46, at body n = 42) were included in this study. Short- and long-term outcomes after LDP were compared between pancreatic division at neck and body.ResultsThe pancreatic transection site was thicker at body than at neck (17.5 vs. 11.9 mm, P < 0.001), although there were no significant differences of pancreatic texture and pancreatic duct size. The Grade B/C POPF rate was significantly higher when the pancreas was divided at body than when divided at neck (21.4 vs. 6.5%, P = 0.042). We found no significant differences between pancreatic division at neck and body in residual pancreatic volume (34.0 vs. 34.8 ml, P = 0.855), incidence of new-onset or worsening diabetes mellitus more than six months after LDP (P = 0.218), or body weight change (six-month: P = 0.116, one-year: P = 0.108, two-year: P = 0.195, tree-year: P = 0.131, four-year: P = 0.608, five-year: P = 0.408).ConclusionThis study suggests that the pancreatic division at neck might reduce the Grade B/C POPF incidence after LDP, compared to division at body. A potential reason is that the pancreas at body is thicker than that at neck. However, further large-scale studies are necessary to confirm our results.     

Intraoperative amylase level of pancreatic juice as a simple predictor of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy

IntroductionA soft remnant texture of the pancreas is commonly accepted as a risk factor for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). However, its assessment is subjective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of intraoperative amylase level of the pancreatic juice as a risk factor of POPF after PD.MethodThis study included 75 patients who underwent PD between November 2014 and April 2020 at Jikei University Hospital. We investigated the relationship between pancreatic texture, intraoperative amylase level of pancreatic juice, results of the pathological evaluations, and the incidence of POPF.ResultsTwenty-three patients (31%) developed POPF. The significant predictors of POPF were non-ductal adenocarcinoma (p < 0.01), soft pancreatic remnant (p < 0.01), high intraoperative blood loss (p < 0.01), high intraoperative amylase level of pancreatic juice (p < 0.01), and low pancreatic fibrosis (p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that the significant independent predictors of POPF were high intraoperative blood loss (p < 0.01) and high intraoperative amylase level of pancreatic juice (p = 0.02). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the cut-off value for the intraoperative amylase level of pancreatic juice was 2.17 × 10⁵ IU/L (area under the curve = 0.726, sensitivity = 95.7%, and specificity = 50.0%)ConclusionsThe intraoperative amylase level of pancreatic juice is a reliable objective predictor for POPF after PD.     

The effect of mesh reinforcement of a stapled transection line on the rate of pancreatic occlusion failure after distal pancreatectomy: review of a single institution's experience

Background

Pancreatic occlusion failure (POF) after distal pancreatectomy remains a common source of morbidity. Here, we review our experience with distal pancreatectomy and attempt to identify factors which influence POF rates.

Patients and Methods

One hundred sixty-nine distal pancreatectomies were performed between 2002 and 2007. Review of the computerized medical records and physician office records was performed for all patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine factors which might influence the incidence of POF. The data set was analysed for factors which might influence the pancreatic occlusion rate. Analysis included patient and disease characteristics including: age, gender, body mass index (BMI), diagnosis, consistency of the pancreas and history of pancreatitis, as well as intra-operative variables including: surgeon, absorbable mesh reinforcement and operative approach.

Results

POF was the most common peri-operative complication. POF was identified in 32 out of 169 patients (19%). Transection technique (hand sewn, stapled, stapled with mesh) and procedure complexity were factors associated with differences in POF rates by both univariate and multivariate analyses. POF was identified in 7 out of 70 patients (10%) when an absorbable mesh was utilized, and 25 of 99 patients (25%) when mesh was not utilized (P < 0.02).

Discussion

These data suggest that a randomized controlled trial will be required to determine if mesh reinforcement reduces the rate and severity of POF after distal pancreatectomy.     

Triple-drug therapy to prevent pancreatic fistula after pancreatectomy in a rat model

BackgroundPancreatic fistula (PF) is one of post-operative complications in pancreatic surgery, but there is no consensus about the optimal treatment for PF. Our group has established a rat model of PF, and we conducted the present investigation to determine the efficacy of the triple-drug therapy (somatostatin analogue, gabexate mesilate, and imipenem/cilastatin) against PF using our rat model.MethodsIn the PF rat model, the triple-drug therapy was administered to the treated (T) group (n = 4), and we compared the results with those of a control (C) group (n = 4). The rats were sacrificed on postoperative day 3 (POD 3) and the levels of amylase and lipase in serum and ascites were measured. The intra-abdominal adhesion was scored. Each pancreas was evaluated pathologically, and inflammation was scored.ResultsThe ascitic amylase levels on POD 3 were 1982 (1738–2249) IU/L in the C group and significantly lower at 136 (101–198) IU/L in the T group (p = 0.02). The ascitic lipase levels on POD 3 were 406 (265–478) U/L in the C group and significantly lower at 13 (7–17) U/L in the T group (p = 0.02). The intra-abdominal adhesion score on POD 3 was 2 (1–2) in the C group and significantly lower at 0 (0–1) in the T group (p = 0.02). The histological evaluation showed that the average of pancreatic inflammatory score was 8.5 (8–9) in the C group and significantly milder at 5 (5–7) in the T group (p = 0.01).ConclusionOur findings suggest that the triple-drug therapy could be useful as a treatment for PF in clinical settings.