Staging laparoscopy in patients with extrahepatic biliary carcinoma. Analysis of 100 patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the benefit of staging laparoscopy in patients with gallbladder cancer and hilar cholangiocarcinoma. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: In patients with extrahepatic biliary carcinoma, unresectable disease is often found at the time of exploration despite extensive preoperative evaluation, thus resulting in unnecessary laparotomy. METHODS: From October 1997 to May 2001, 100 patients with potentially resectable gallbladder cancer (n = 44) and hilar cholangiocarcinoma (n = 56) were prospectively evaluated. All patients underwent staging laparoscopy followed by laparotomy if the tumor appeared resectable. Surgical findings, resectability rate, length of stay, and operative time were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients underwent multiple preoperative imaging tests, including computed tomography scan, ultrasound, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and direct cholangiography. Laparoscopy identified unresectable disease in 35 of 100 patients. In the 65 patients undergoing open exploration, 34 were found to have unresectable disease. Therefore, the overall accuracy for detecting unresectable disease was 51%. There was no difference in the accuracy of laparoscopy between patients with gallbladder cancer and hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Laparoscopy detected the majority of patients with peritoneal or liver metastases but failed to detect all locally advanced tumors. In patients undergoing biopsy only, laparoscopic identification of unresectable disease significantly reduced operative time and length of stay compared with patients undergoing laparotomy. The yield of laparoscopy was 48% in patients with gallbladder cancer (56% in those who did not undergo previous cholecystectomy), but only 25% in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. However, in patients with locally advanced but potentially resectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma, the yield of laparoscopy was greater, 36% (12/33, T2/T3 tumors) versus 9% (2/23, T1 tumors). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy identifies the majority of patients with unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma or gallbladder carcinoma, thereby reducing both the incidence of unnecessary laparotomy and the length of stay. The yield of laparoscopy is lower for hilar cholangiocarcinoma but can be improved by targeting patients at higher risk of occult unresectable disease. All patients with potentially resectable primary gallbladder cancer and patients with T2/T3 hilar cholangiocarcinoma should undergo staging laparoscopy before surgical exploration.     

Role of staging laparoscopy in peri-pancreatic and hepatobiliary malignancy

Even after extensive preoperative assessment, staging laparoscopy may allow avoidance of non-therapeutic laparotomy in patients with radiographically occult metastatic or locally unresectable disease. Staging laparoscopy is associated with decreased postoperative pain, a shorter hospital stay and a higher likelihood of receiving systemic therapy compared to laparotomy but its yield has decreased with improvements in imaging techniques. Current uses of staging laparoscopy include the following: (1) In the staging of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, laparoscopic staging allows for the identification of sub-radiographic metastatic disease in locally advanced cancer in approximately 30% of patients and, in radiographically resectable cancer, may identify metastatic disease in 10%-15% of cases; (2) In colorectal liver metastases, selective use of laparoscopic staging in patients with a clinical risk score of over 2 identifies unresectable disease in approximately 20% of patients; (3) In hepatocellular carcinoma, laparoscopic staging could be selectively used in high-risk patients such as those with clinically apparent liver cirrhosis and in patients with major vascular invasion or bilobar tumors; and (4) In biliary tract malignancy, staging laparoscopy may be used in all patients with potentially resectable primary gallbladder cancer and in selected patients with T2/T3 hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Because of the decreasing yield of SL secondary to improvements in imaging techniques, staging laparoscopy should be used selectively for patients with pancreatic and hepatobiliary malignancy to avoid unnecessary non-therapeutic laparotomy and to improve resource utilization. Each individual surgeon should apply his or her threshold as to whether staging laparoscopy is indicated according to the quality of preoperative imaging studies and the availability of resources at their own institution.     

Staging laparoscopy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma in 100 patients

Purpose

Accurate preoperative radiological staging of hilar cholangiocarcinoma remains difficult, and a number of patients are found to have irresectable advanced tumours or occult metastases at exploration. Staging laparoscopy can improve the detection of irresectable disease, avoiding unnecessary laparotomy. This study examines the role of staging laparoscopy in hilar cholangiocarcinoma, with a focus on yield over different time periods and identification of preoperative factors increasing the risk of irresectable disease.

Methods

Retrospective case note review of all patients undergoing staging laparoscopy for radiologically resectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma, identified from the hepatobiliary multidisciplinary team database, was performed.

Results

One hundred consecutive patients underwent staging laparoscopy between 1998 and 2011. Of these, 34 patients were found to be irresectable due to metastatic disease, and 11, due to extensive local disease. Fifty patients proceeded to exploratory laparotomy following staging laparoscopy, and 36 % (18/50) of whom were found to have irresectable disease: 12 patients due to advanced local disease and 6 patients due to metastases. The overall yield of laparoscopy was 45 %, and the accuracy was 71 %. There was no significant difference in age, preoperative bilirubin, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, Ca19-9 levels or T stage between patients with resectable disease and with irresectable disease on laparoscopy. There was also no change in the yield of laparoscopy over time, despite advances in radiological imaging.

Conclusion

In this series, staging laparoscopy avoided unnecessary laparotomy in 45 % of patients with radiologically resectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma. No factor was able to predict positive yield, and therefore, all patients with potentially resectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma should undergo staging laparoscopy.     

The value of laparoscopy in the management of ampullary, duodenal, and distal bile duct tumors

Laparoscopy identifies radiologically occult advanced disease in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The value of laparoscopy in the management of peri-ampullary tumors was determined. One hundred forty-four patients with radiologically resectable nonpancreatic adenocarcinoma, periampullary tumors were identified from a prospective database between August 1993 and December 2000. Criteria for laparoscopic unresectability included histologically proved peritoneal or hepatic metastases, distant nodal involvement, arterial involvement, and local extension outside the resection field. Median age at operation was 70 years (range 31 to 87 years) and 56% of the patients were men. An adequate laparoscopy was performed in 134 cases (93%). Laparoscopy identified 13 patients (10%) with unresectable disease. Of 121 patients with laparoscopic resectable disease, 111 (92%) went on to subsequent resection; CT correctly predicted resectability in 82%. Laparoscopy spared 36% of unresectable patients a nontherapeutic laparotomy. Patients with resectable disease were treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 91, 76%), ampullectomy (n = 12, 10%), duodenal resection (n = 10, 9%), or bile duct excision (n = 6, 5%). The addition of diagnostic laparoscopy to dynamic CT scanning in this selected patient population identifies an additional 10% of patients with unresectable disease. We believe that laparoscopy should be used in a selective manner for preoperative staging of patients suspected of having nonpancreatic periampullary tumors. Presented in part at the Forty-Second Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Atlanta, Georgia, May 20–23, 2001. Supported by the Milton and Bernice Stern Foundation.     

Carcinoma of the pancreatic head and periampullary region. Tumor staging with laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: The authors performed a prospective evaluation of staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography in predicting surgical resectability in patients with carcinomas of the pancreatic head and periampullary region. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Pancreatic resection with curative intent is possible in a select minority of patients who have carcinomas of the pancreatic head and periampullary region. Patient selection is important to plan appropriate therapy and avoid unnecessary laparotomy in patients with unresectable disease. Laparoscopic ultrasonography is a novel technique that combines the proven benefits of staging laparoscopy with high resolution intraoperative ultrasound of the liver and pancreas, but which has yet to be evaluated critically in the staging of pancreatic malignancy. METHODS: A cohort of 40 consecutive patients referred to a tertiary referral center and with a diagnosis of potentially resectable pancreatic or periampullary cancer underwent staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography. The diagnostic accuracy of staging laparoscopy alone and in conjunction with laparoscopic ultrasonography was evaluated in predicting tumor resectability (absence of peritoneal or liver metastases; absence of malignant regional lymphadenopathy; tumor confined to pancreatic head or periampullary region). RESULTS: "Occult" metastatic lesions were demonstrated by staging laparoscopy in 14 patients (35%). Laparoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated factors confirming unresectable tumor in 23 patients (59%), provided staging information in addition to that of laparoscopy alone in 20 patients (53%), and changed the decision regarding tumor resectability in 10 patients (25%). Staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography was more specific and accurate in predicting tumor resectability than laparoscopy alone (88% and 89% versus 50% and 65%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Staging laparoscopy is indispensable in the detection of "occult" intra-abdominal metastases. Laparoscopic ultrasonography improves the accuracy of laparoscopic staging in patients with potentially resectable pancreatic and periampullary carcinomas.     

Laparoscopic staging in gallbladder cancer

PURPOSE: Laparoscopy is beneficial in the staging of pancreatic and upper gastrointestinal malignancies but its role in gallbladder cancer has not been investigated. We evaluated the role of laparoscopy in the staging of gallbladder cancer. Methods: From 1989 through 2001, 91 patients with gallbladder cancer, without any evidence of metastatic disease on imaging (ultrasound and/or computed tomographic scan), underwent staging laparoscopy. Peritoneal and surface liver metastases were looked for and assessment of local spread was done if possible. Assessment was based on visual impression and biopsies were not obtained routinely. RESULTS: At laparoscopy, 34 (37%) patients had disseminated disease in the form of liver and/or peritoneal deposits; no further surgery was performed in 29 of these patients while 5 patients underwent surgical bypass procedures. Liver metastases were missed at laparoscopy in 2 patients and were subsequently found at laparotomy. Assessment of the gallbladder mass was possible in 33 (36%) patients, 6 of these were found to have extensive local disease and did not undergo any further surgery. Laparoscopic staging, thus avoided further surgery in 35 (38%) patients. Of the 51 patients without metastatic disease, who underwent laparotomy, 11 were found to have nonresectable locally advanced disease while 1 had liver metastases, which were missed at laparoscopy; 7 underwent bypass procedures only; 21 underwent simple cholecystectomy and extended cholecystectomy was done in 11 patients. The resectability rate (number of resections/operations) in patients undergoing laparoscopic staging was 57% (32/56) as compared with 43% (142/328) in those who did not undergo laparoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Staging laparoscopy in patients with gallbladder cancer detected liver and peritoneal metastases that were missed on imaging. It reduced the number of unnecessary surgical explorations and improved the resectability rate.     

The Role of Laparoscopy and Ultrasonography in Pancreatic Head Carcinoma

Objective: The authors performed a prospective evaluation of staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography in predicting surgical resectability in patients with carcinomas of the pancreatic head and periampullary region.Summary Background Data: Pancreatic resection with curative intent is possible in a select minority of patients who have carcinomas of the pancreatic head and periampullary region. Patient selection is important to plan appropriate therapy and avoid unnecessary laparotomy in patients with unresectable disease. Laparoscopic ultrasonography is a novel technique that combines the proven benefits of staging laparoscopy with high resolution intraoperative ultrasound of the liver and pancreas, but which has yet to be evaluated critically in the staging of pancreatic malignancy.Methods: A cohort of 40 consecutive patients referred to a tertiary referral center and with a diagnosis of potentially resectable pancreatic or periampullary cancer underwent staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography. The diagnostic accuracy of staging laparoscopy alone and in conjunction with laparoscopic ultrasonography was evaluated in predicting tumor resectability (absence of peritoneal or liver metastases; absence of malignant regional lymphadenopathy; tumor confined to pancreatic head or periampullary region).Results: “Occult” metastatic lesions were demonstrated by staging laparoscopy in 14 patients (35%). Laparoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated factors confirming unresectable tumor in 23 patients (59%), provided staging information in addition to that of laparoscopy alone in 20 patients (53%), and changed the decision regarding tumor resectability in 10 patients (25%). Staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography was more specific and accurate in predicting tumor resectability than laparoscopy alone (88% and 89% versus 50% and 65%, respectively).Conclusions: Staging laparoscopy is indispensable in the detection of “occult” intraabdominal metastases. Laparoscopic ultrasonography improves the accuracy of laparoscopic staging in patients with potentially resectable pancreatic and periampullary carcinomas.     

High-resolution computed tomography accurately predicts resectability in hilar cholangiocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION: Despite the use of radiologic, endoscopic, and laparoscopic staging techniques, the rate of nontherapeutic laparotomies in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma remains high. This study evaluated the accuracy of preoperative high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) to determine resectability in this setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Preoperative helical HRCT (2 contrast phases, rapid intravenous contrast bolus, 2.5-mm section thickness) for 32 consecutive patients who underwent laparotomy for the diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma from 2000 to 2005 were reviewed by a hepatobiliary radiologist. The accuracy of HRCT was determined by comparison of the imaging interpretation to intraoperative and pathologic findings. The chi-square test was used to identify imaging findings that best predicted unresectability. RESULTS: Fourteen of the 32 (44%) study patients were unresectable (extension along bile duct, 4; peritoneal metastases, 4; vascular encasement, 3; noncontiguous liver metastases, 2; N2 lymphadenopathy, 1). HRCT correctly predicted resectability in 17 of 18 patients who underwent therapeutic laparotomy (sensitivity = 94%). HRCT correctly predicted the inability to resect in 11 of the remaining 14 cases (specificity = 79%). In the 3 cases in which HRCT predicted resectability and the patient was unresectable, subcentimeter peritoneal disease, a subcentimeter liver metastasis, and distal bile duct involvement were responsible factors. The negative and positive predictive values of HRCT were 92% and 85%, respectively. Individual radiographic findings that best predicted unresectability were peritoneal spread (P = .015) and hepatic artery (P = .006) or portal vein (P = .002) involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative HRCT accurately predicts resectability in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Identification of specific radiographic features, in particular major vascular involvement and peritoneal abnormalities, is now used by our group to avoid unnecessary laparotomy.     

Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma benefit from staging laparoscopy

Background: Unnecessary laparotomy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer may both compromise the quality of life and delay the initiation of more appropriate therapy. Very often, peritoneal small liver metastases and true local status cannot be fully determined without surgery. Laparoscopy may spare laparotomy and decrease morbidity for patients with nonresectable advanced disease. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of laparoscopy in patients with potentially resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of patients undergoing pancreatic surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center from October 2001 to April 2005. A total of 59 patients were included in the study. All patients were staged radiographically with a high resolution helical computed tomography scan and their tumors were considered resectable. Thirty-seven patients underwent staging laparoscopy while 22 proceeded directly to laparotomy. Results: Of the 37 patients who underwent laparoscopic staging, 9 (24.3%) were detected to have metastatic disease or advanced tumor; the remaining 28 (75.7%) patients with negative laparoscopy proceeded to laparotomy. Of those, 24 patients (85.7%) underwent pancreatic resection with curative intent, while 4 patients had metastatic or locally advanced disease at subsequent laparotomy which was missed on staging laparoscopy (false negative rate of 14.3%). Of the 22 patients who proceeded directly to laparotomy, 16 (72.7%) received curative Whipple resection and 6 (27.3%) were found to have advanced disease and received bypass procedures or biopsy alone. Conclusion: These findings suggest that staging laparoscopy is beneficial in a significant proportion of patients deemed resectable by routine noninvasive preoperative studies. We plan to add intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasound to our staging protocol in order to decrease the false negative rate.     

Laparoscopy in the management of colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver

BACKGROUND: This investigation was undertaken to define the value of laparoscopy in the staging of patients with colorectal carcinoma metastatic to the liver. METHODS: The clinical details of 59 consecutive patients with colorectal liver metastases undergoing laparoscopy prior to planned hepatectomy were entered prospectively on a computerized database. All patients were staged preoperatively with thin slice (5-7 mm) helical computed tomography chest, abdomen and pelvis. Synchronous metastases were defined as those found during, or on imaging carried out within 1 month of, colorectal resection. Criteria for laparoscopic unresectability were: (i) histologically proven extrahepatic disease; (ii) bilateral inflow or outflow involvement; (iii) the presence of cirrhosis in patients requiring an extended resection (lobectomy or greater); or (iv) hepatic metastases involving more than six hepatic segments. RESULTS: In 24 patients with synchronous metastases (median age 65 years, range 32-81 years) all were resectable on laparoscopic criteria, of whom 21 were resected. Extrahepatic disease was found at laparotomy in three patients. In 35 patients with metachronous metastases (median age 64 years, range 32-81 years) laparoscopy could not be performed in five patients because of adhesions, and three patients were deemed unresectable on laparoscopic criteria. Of the remaining 27 patients, 25 underwent resection while two proved unresectable. Overall eight of 54 evaluable patients had unresectable disease and laparoscopy correctly identified three patients. CONCLUSIONS: Following computed tomography scan, 15% of patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma will be found to have unresectable disease. Laparoscopy will identify approximately half. Laparoscopy is of no greater value in staging synchronous versus metachronous metastases.     

Staging of pancreatic and ampullary cancers for resectability using laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasound

Background: Cancers of the pancreas and periampullary region are rarely curable. We set out to determine the efficacy of laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasound in the staging of pancreatic and ampullary malignancies for resectability. Methods: Between January 1994 and September 1999, we retrospectively reviewed the laparoscopic staging (LS) of tumors already deemed resectable by standard radiologic criteria in 27 patients using laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS). Patients found to be resectable by LS evaluation underwent laparotomy (LA). We then compared the results of the LS and LA findings. Results: Of the 27 patients evaluated, 17 were men and 10 were women. Their mean age was 66 years. Preoperative computerized tomography (CT) scans were done in all 27 patients (100%), and transabdominal and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was done in 21 (78%). By LS, seven patients (26%) were found to have unresectable disease. Two patients with mesenteric tumor infiltration (one with peritoneal implants, and one with a visible liver metastasis) were judged to be unresectable by laparoscopy alone. LUS revealed that one patient had portal vein (PV) occlusion and two had metastases to the lymph nodes or liver that were not revealed by preoperative studies or laparoscopy alone. Among 20 patients (74%) deemed resectable by LS, two (10%) were found to be unresectable at LA, one due to PV involvement and the other due to local tumor extension with superior mesenteric lymph node metastasis. Eighteen of those in whom resection was attempted (90%) were resectable, with no unexpected findings of distant lymph node or hepatic metastasis. Pathology examination showed that eight had regional metastases (44%). The sensitivity of LS in determining unresectability was 77% (seven true positives and two false negatives). The negative predictive value (reflecting resectability) was 90%. Laparoscopy alone had a sensitivity of 44%, with a negative predictive value of 78%. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of LS was 100%, reflecting no false positive examinations. Conclusions: LS can effectively stage most patients and reliably predict which of them will benefit from LA. Intervention for unresectable patients can then be limited to laparoscopic or endoscopic bypass. The main limitation is that LS may underestimate PV and regional lymph node involvement.     

Laparoscopy in the staging and planning of therapy for pancreatic cancer

Although staging of pancreatic cancer is critical to the planning of therapy, many patients come to laparotomy with liver or peritoneal metastases not suspected or detected during conventional preoperative testing. We performed laparoscopic examinations as part of the staging evaluation of 40 patients with proved pancreatic cancer who were candidates for curative resection or intraoperative radiotherapy. In each patient, laparoscopy was the last test before laparotomy and was carried out only if all other test results were negative for metastases. In 14 of 40 patients, single, small (1 to 2 mm) metastatic nodules were detected and verified by biopsy in the liver (6 patients), on the parietal peritoneum (7 patients), and in the omentum (1 patient). It is likely that several of these lesions would have been overlooked at routine exploration. Because of the positive findings, therapy was altered in all 14 patients. None received intraoperative radiotherapy, nine who did not have jaundice were discharged without operation, three had biliary or gastric bypass only, and two were treated by percutaneous biliary stenting. Of the 26 patients who had negative findings on laparoscopic examination, the absence of gross metastasis was confirmed at laparotomy in 23. Three false-negative findings were caused by incomplete examination of the liver in two patients and a central liver lesion in one patient. Therefore, 43 percent of all patients (17 of 40) had demonstrable but unsuspected nonlocal metastases, and laparoscopic examination detected 82 percent (14 of 17) of these. The overall accuracy of laparoscopy was 93 percent and that of examination with negative findings, 88 percent. In eliminating useless laparotomy and redirecting treatment plans, laparoscopy contributes significantly both to the proper management of patients with pancreatic cancer and to increased efficiency of resource utilization.     

Staging laparoscopy for pancreatic cancer should be used to select the best means of palliation and not only to maximize the resectability rate

Staging laparoscopy, based on the assumption that endobiliary stenting is the best palliation, allegedly saves an "unnecessary" laparotomy for incurable pancreatic cancer. Our aim was to determine survival of patients with clinically resectable pancreatic cancer that is found to be unresectable inrraoperatively and thereby infer appropriate utilization of staging laparoscopy. A retrospective analysis was undertaken of 148 patients with ductal adenocarcinoma (1985 to 1992) with a clinically resectable lesion based on current imaging techniques. All were considered candidates for resection but were deemed unresectable at operation because of metastases to the liver (group I; 29 patients), the peritoneum (group II; 22 patients), or distant lymph nodes (group III; 44 patients) or because of vascular invasion (group IV; 53 patients). Overall median survival was 9 months (range 1 to 53 months), but by group was as follows: group I, 6 months; group II, 7 months; group III, 11 months; and group IV, 11 months. Individual comparisons showed shorter survival for patients with distant nodal, liver, or peritoneal metastases than with nodal or vascular involvement (P <0.03). Staging laparoscopy should be performed to identify patients with liver or peritoneal metastases who have an expected survival of approximately 6 months, in whom short-term endoscopic palliation is satisfactory. Extended laparoscopy to identify lymph node or vascular involvement is contingent upon which palliation (operative vs. endoscopic) is considered most appropriate. Because we believe operative bypass provides better, more durable palliation in this latter group, we have not adopted extended laparoscopy. Presented at the Thirty-Ninth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, New Orleans, La., May 17–20, 1998. An abstract of this work was published in Gastroenterology 114:A1407, 1998.     

The value of laparoscopic staging for patients with colorectal metastases

BACKGROUND: Resection offers the only chance of cure for hepatic colorectal metastases. However, preoperative staging does not always reliably detect unresectable disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the role that laparoscopy with ultrasound may have in detecting unresectable disease, thus sparing patients from unnecessary laparotomy with the associated morbidity and cost. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients considered for liver resection of colorectal metastases during a 3-year period was performed, analyzing factors likely to predict resectable disease, rates of resectability, and success of laparoscopic staging at detecting unresectable disease. RESULTS: Of 73 patients with resectable disease on computed tomography, 24 were deemed to need laparoscopy, and 49 proceeded directly to laparotomy. Those first undergoing laparoscopy had shorter disease-free intervals between diagnosis of colorectal cancer and detection of hepatic recurrence and greater numbers of hepatic metastases. Twelve of the 24 patients who underwent laparoscopy had unresectable disease, and 8 of these were detected at laparoscopy. Forty-six of the 49 patients proceeding to laparotomy directly had resectable disease. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic staging of hepatic colorectal metastatic disease detects most unresectable disease, preventing unnecessary laparotomy. The likelihood of disease being unresectable is in part predicted by the disease-free interval and the number of hepatic metastases.     

Évaluation des cancers du pancréas par l'association de la laparoscopie et de l'écholaparoscopie

Study aimThis prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of staging laparoscopy associated with laparoscopic ultrasonography in the assessment of tumoural extension and surgical resectability in patients with carcinoma of the pancreatic head.Patients and methodsFrom June 1995 to March 1997, 26 consecutive patients (11 male and 15 female patients), with a mean age of 62.5 years, were included in this study. The lesion was located in the pancreatic head with jaundice. Four staging methods were used: percutaneous ultrasonography (n = 26) computed tomography (n = 26), endoscopic ultrasonography (n = 16), and laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography (n = 26). The assessment of resectability by each procedure was verified by surgical exploration and histologic examination.ResultsResults of percutaneous ultrasonography and computed tomography were similar, predicting unresectability in 50% of the patients. Endoscopic ultrasonography performed in the 16 patients without visible metastases according to the previous procedures predicted surgical resectability in seven patients only. With staging laparoscopy associated with laparoscopic ultrasonography, undiscovered metastases were found and unresectability was predicted in 21 patients out of 26; the sensitivity was 100% for liver metastases, peritoneal metastases and vascular involvement, 90% for lymph node involvement and 88% for diagnosis of the primitive lesion. A Whipple procedure was performed in five patients and a palliative bypass in all the other patients except one. An unnecessary laparotomy was avoided in 12 patients.ConclusionsStaging laparoscopy associated with laparoscopic ultrasonography is superior to all other staging methods. It should be the first step of a potentially curative surgical treatment (five cases only in this series) or of a palliative bypass. Laparotomy was avoided in 12 cases.     

Early experience of laparoscopic ultrasonography in the management of pancreatic carcinoma

Summary A 7.5-MHz linear array ultrasound probe has been developed for the evaluation of solid organs at laparoscopy. Twelve patients with suspected carcinoma of the head of the pancreas, considered at initial investigation to have resectable disease, were submitted to laparoscopy. In 4 patients, diagnostic laparoscopy revealed hepatic metastases (4 patients), peritoneal dissemination of tumor (2), and malignant ascites (1). Laparoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated hepatic metastases in four patients and hepatic cysts in two further patients. Ultrasound evaluation of the pancreas revealed lymphadenopathy (4 patients), local infiltration (2), and portal vein displacement or invasion (4). An anomalous right hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery was identified in one patient. Overall, laparoscopy identified advanced disease in four patients. Laparoscopic ultrasonography, while detecting advanced disease in a further two patients, predicted resectable disease in six patients (50%). Only one of the six patients submitted to laparotomy was found to have irresectable disease due to lymph-node metastases. Laparoscopic ultrasound examination of the pancreas and liver has improved the early staging of pancreatic carcinoma and should be undertaken at an early stage in the management of such patients.     

Staging Laparoscopy for Advanced Gastric Cancer: Is It Also Useful for the Group Which has an Aggressive Surgical Strategy?

Background Staging laparoscopy has been shown to be useful for increasing the accuracy of preoperative staging. However, controversy still exists regarding patient selection and subsequent treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the role of staging laparoscopy for a group that has a policy to perform aggressive surgery for advanced gastric cancer. Methods Twenty-four patients with clinical T3 or T4 gastric cancer expected to undergo curative resection, based on conventional preoperative diagnostic methods underwent staging laparoscopy. We examined the accuracy and the impact of staging laparoscopy on the further treatment options. Results The mean running time for the staging laparoscopy was 40.7 min (range: 25–75 min), and one complication was noted (4.2%). In regard to the tumor depth, 11 of 24 (45.8%) cases had a discrepancy after staging laparoscopy. In addition, 15 of 24 patients (62.5%) were found to have unsuspected peritoneal metastases, and 8 patients (33.3%) were excluded from laparotomy. The remaining 16 patients (66.7%), including 9 patients with localized peritoneal metastases (P1), underwent resection. The diagnostic accuracy for T factor was 81.3% in 16 laparotomy cases and overall accuracy of P factor was 91.7%. Conclusions Staging laparoscopy had a significant impact on decisions regarding the treatment plan in patients with advanced gastric cancer for a group that has an aggressive treatment strategy. This paper was supported in part by the Catholic Cancer Center.     

腹腔镜探查判断胆囊癌可切除性的临床意义

目的 初步评价腹腔镜探查在胆囊癌外科治疗中的应用价值.方法 自2007年1月至2010年3月在上海交大医学院附属新华医院普外科及第二军医大学东方肝胆外科医院腹腔镜科收治胆囊癌患者中,选择有手术切除可能的60例患者作为腹腔镜探查组,将同期符合相同条件行剖腹探查的192例胆囊癌患者作为对照组,比较两组手术切除率、腹腔广泛转移患者的手术时间及住院时间.计量资料采用t检验,计数资料采用x2检验.结果 腹腔镜探查组60例中27例患者的肝脏和(或)腹膜有肿瘤广泛转移,中止手术;33例转行剖腹探查,发现1例肝脏多处肿瘤转移、12例侵犯门静脉主干和(或)胰头、十二指肠,无手术切除可能,中止手术;其余20例中7例行胆囊癌姑息性切除,13例行胆囊癌根治性切除术.直接行剖腹探查组192例术中发现肝脏和(或)腹膜肿瘤广泛转移的82例及侵犯门脉主干和(或)胰头31例均中止手术,姑息性切除32例,根治性切除47例.两组手术切除率、腹腔广泛转移患者的手术时间及住院时间差异有统计学意义(x2=4.328,t=8.6501,t=5.8260;P＜0.05、P＜0.01、P＜0.01).结论 腹腔镜探查有助于手术决策的制定,减少不必要的非治疗性剖腹探查,能显著提高手术切除率,可以作为胆囊癌外科治疗中的常规操作.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the role of laparoscopic staging for the resectability of gallbladder cancer. Methods From Jan 2007 to Mar 2010,60 gallbladder cancer patients without of metastatic disease or main hepatic portal vessel invasion as assessed by preoperative imaging underwent staging laparoscopy for tumor resectability evaluation. Peritoneal and liver surface metastases were looked for and assessment of local spread was done if possible. Assessment was based on visual impression and biopsies were obtained routinely. T test and x2 test were used. Results At laparoscopy, 27 (45%) patients were found with disseminated disease on peritoneal cavity or the surface of liver, hence, senseless open surgery was avoided. The other 33 patients were converted to open laparotomy, among those 1 patient was found with disseminated metastasis in the liver and 12 patients with the invasion of main hepatic portal vessel,pancreatic head, duodenum did not undergo any further surgery. Finally 7 patients received surgical bypass procedure and 13 patients underwent radical resection. During the same period, 192 clinically diagnosed gallbladder cancer patients undergoing open laparotomy without laparoscopic pre-assessment served as control. Among those in control group 79 patients received radical or palliative resection. The resectability rate was significantly different between the two groups ( P ＜ 0. 05). Conclusion Staging laparoscopy in patients with gallbladder cancer is helpful in detecting liver and peritoneal metastases overlooked by preoperative imaging, avoiding unnecessary open explorations.     

The Role of Staging Laparoscopy in Hepatobiliary Malignancy: Prospective Analysis of 401 Cases

Background:Patients with potentially resectable hepatobiliary malignancy are frequently found to have unresectable tumors at laparotomy. We prospectively evaluated staging laparoscopy in patients with resectable disease on preoperative imaging.Methods:Staging laparoscopy was performed on 410 patients with potentially resectable hepatobiliary malignancy. The preoperative likelihood of resectability was recorded. Data on preoperative imaging, operative findings, and hospital course were analyzed.Results:Laparoscopic inspection was complete in 291 (73%) patients. In total, 153 patients (38%) had unresectable disease, 84 of whom were identified laparoscopically, increasing resectability from 62% to 78%. On multivariate analysis, a complete examination, preoperative likelihood of resection, and primary diagnosis were significant predictors of identifying unresectable disease at laparoscopy. The highest yield was for biliary cancers, and the lowest was for metastatic colorectal cancer. In patients with unresectable disease identified at laparoscopy, the mean hospital stay was 3 days, and postoperative morbidity was 9%, compared with 8 days and 27%, respectively, in patients found to have unresectable disease at laparotomy.Conclusions:Laparoscopy spared one in five patients a laparotomy while reducing hospital stay and morbidity. Targeting laparoscopy to patients at high risk for unresectable disease requires consideration of disease-specific factors; however, the surgeons preoperative impression of resectability is also important.     

The role of laparoscopy in the identification of peritoneal carcinosis from abdominal neoplasms. Analysis of our initial experience

BACKGROUND: The authors reviewed the experience on the use of laparoscopy performed since January 1997 in malignant neoplasms at their institution. The aim of the study was to evaluate the real effectiveness of this procedure in the staging of abdominal neoplasms which were considered resectable at preoperative examinations and in particular in the detection of peritoneal metastases not evidenced with traditional imaging techniques. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with malignant neoplasms: colo-rectum (15), stomach (5), pancreas (4), gallbladder (2), cardias (1), liver (1), were studied. All the patients were preoperatively examined with abdominal computed tomography (CT). In the 2 patients with gallbladder neoplasm a MR cholangiography was also performed. An explorative laparoscopy with peritoneal washing was then performed in all the patients. The diagnostic and therapeutic choices were subsequently done on the basis of laparoscopy results. RESULTS: Therapeutic approach was modified in 21% of cases, as a result of the detection of peritoneal metastases which were not evidenced with imaging examinations. On the contrary, peritoneal washing was not responsible of any preoperative evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy performed in patients with abdominal neoplasms allows the detection of peritoneal micrometastases not previously evidenced through preoperative CT, thus modifying the therapeutic approach.