Duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection for cystic neoplasm—a limited but cancer-preventive procedure

Background Cystic neoplastic lesions of the pancreas are found in up to 10% of all pancreatic lesions. A malignant transformation of cystic neoplasia is observed in intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (IPMN) lesions in 60% and in mucinous cystic tumor (MCN) lesions in up to 30%. For cystic neoplasia located monocentrically in the pancreatic head and that do not have an association with an invasive pancreatic cancer, the duodenum-preserving total head resection has been used in recent time as a limited surgical procedure. Patients An indication to duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection is considered for patients who do not have clinical signs of an advanced cancer in the lesion and who have main-duct IPMN and monocentric MCN lesions. In 104 patients with cystic neoplastic lesions in the Ulm series, 32% finally had a carcinoma in situ or an advanced pancreatic cancer. The application of a duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection in patients with asymptomatic cystic lesion is based on the size of the tumor and the tumor relation to the pancreatic ducts. For patients who have preoperatively clinical signs of malignancy, a Kausch–Whipple type of oncologic resection is recommended. Results Duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection is used in several modifications. The surgical procedure is a limited pancreatic head resection which necessitates segmental resection of the peripapillary duodenum. Hospital mortality is very low; in most published series it is 0%. The long-term outcome is determined by completeness of resection for both—benign and malignant—entities. Careful evaluation of the frozen section results has a pivotal role for intraoperative decision making. Conclusion A duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection is a limited surgical procedure for patients who suffer a local monocentric, cystic neoplastic lesion in the pancreatic head. Absence of an advanced pancreatic cancer and completeness of extirpation of the benign tumor determine the long-term outcome. In regards to the location of the lesion in the pancreatic head, several modifications have been applied with low hospital morbidity and mortality below 1%.     

Duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection for cystic neoplastic lesions in the head of the pancreas

Background/Purpose Cystic neoplastic lesions of the pancreas are now found with increasing frequency. Duodenumpreserving pancreatic head resection with segmental resection of the duodenum has been introduced for the surgical treatment of inflammatory and neoplastic lesions. We report the following data from 15 patients treated surgically for cystic neoplastic lesions of the pancreas head. Methods Duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection (DPPHRt) with segmental resection of the duodenum (SD) was performed in eight patients, five with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), two with mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN), and one with cystic endocrine neoplasm (EN). In four patients, a subtotal pancreatic head resection was performed, but recurrence of the IPMN lesion was observed in two patients. Ten patients suffered cystadenoma, three patients had a borderline lesion, and two patients had an in-situ carcinoma. Results Eight patients had a DPPHRt with SD resection, two patients had a resection of the uncinate process including segmental resection of the inferior duodenal segment, and one patient had a duodenum-and spleen-preserving total pancreatectomy. In four patients a DPPHR with subtotal pancreatic head resection was carried out. Postoperative local complications occurred in eight patients: there was a recurrence of the IPMN lesion in the remnant pancreatic head in two patients; and there was intraabdominal bleeding in one patient, pancreatic fistula in one patient, and delay of gastric emptying in four patients. Seven patients showed signs of acute pancreatitis. Hospital mortality was 0%, and postoperative length of hospital stay was 10. 4 days (range, 8–18 days). Conclusions Duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection for IPMN, MCN, serous cystadenoma (SCA), and cystic EN lesions is a safe and beneficial surgical procedure. Segmental resection of the duodenum was applied for an oncologically complete resection. In regard to long-term outcome, the procedure is, additionally, a pancreatic cancer preventive strategy.     

Duodenum-Preserving Total Pancreatic Head Resection for Benign Cystic Neoplastic Lesions

Background

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are diagnosed frequently due to early use of abdominal imaging techniques. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, mucinous cystic neoplasm, and serous pseudopapillary neoplasia are considered pre-cancerous lesions because of frequent transformation to cancer. Complete surgical resection of the benign lesion is a pancreatic cancer preventive treatment.

Objectives

The application for a limited surgical resection for the benign lesions is increasingly used to reduce the surgical trauma with a short- and long-term benefit compared to major surgical procedures. Duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection introduced for inflammatory tumors in the pancreatic head transfers to the patient with a benign cystic lesion located in the pancreatic head, the advantages of a minimalized surgical treatment.

Patients

Based on the experience of 17 patients treated for cystic neoplastic lesions with duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection, the surgical technique of total pancreatic head resection for adenoma, borderline tumors, and carcinoma in situ of cystic neoplasm is presented. A segmental resection of the peripapillary duodenum is recommended in case of suspected tissue ischemia of the peripapillary duodenum. In 305 patients, collected from the literature by PubMed search, in about 40% of the patients a segmental resection of the duodenum and 60% a duodenum and common bile duct-preserving total pancreatic head resection has been performed.

Results

Hospital mortality of the 17 patients was 0%. In 305 patients collected, the hospital mortality was 0.65%, 13.2% experienced a delay of gastric emptying and a pancreatic fistula in 18.2%. Recurrence of the disease was 1.5%. Thirty-two of 175 patients had carcinoma in situ.

Conclusion

Duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection for benign cystic neoplastic lesions is a safe surgical procedure with low post-operative morbidity and mortality.     

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??Diagnosis and treatment of pancrean cystic neoplasms: hot and difficult problems YANG Yin-mo, WANG Jun, CHEN Yi-ran, et al.Department of Surgery,Beijing University First Hospital,Beijing100034, China
Corresponding author: YANG Yin-mo,E-mail : yangyinmo@263.net
Abstract Cystic pancreatic neoplasms are often an incidental finding, the frequency of which is increasing. The understanding of such lesions has increased in recent years, but the numerous types of lesions involved can hinder differential diagnosis. They mainly include serous cystic neoplasms (SCN), mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms(IPMN), and solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPN). Several of cystic pancreatic neoplasms can undergo malignant transformation and, therefore, require differentiated radiological and surgical managements. Because of minimally invasive approach, limited surgical procedures like enucleation, pancreatic middle segment resection or duodenum-preserving total or subtotal pancreatic head resection are recommended. The indication for follow-up or surgical intervention for patients with pancreatic cystic neoplasms should be controlled reasonably.     

Invasive IPMN and MCN: Same Organ, Sifferent Outcomes?

Background

The efficacy of surgery for invasive mucinous neoplasms is unclear. We examined the natural history of invasive mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN) and invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) in patients who underwent pancreatic resection.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1996–2006) was queried for cases of resected invasive MCN and IPMN. Demographics, tumor characteristics, and overall survival were examined using log-rank analysis and multivariate Cox regression model.

Results

Of 185 MCN cases and 641 IPMN cases, 73% and 48%, respectively, were women (P < 0.0001). Most (73%) IPMN were in the head of the pancreas; most (64%) MCN were in the tail/body (P < 0.0001). Lymph node metastasis was more common for IPMN than MCN (46% vs. 24%, P < 0.0001). Overall survival after resection was better for patients with stage I MCN vs. stage I IPMN (P = 0.0005), and it was better for patients with node-negative MCN vs. node-negative IPMN (P = 0.0061). There was no significant difference in survival of patients with stage IIA MCN vs. stage IIA IPMN (P = 0.5964), stage IIB MCN vs. stage IIB IPMN (P = 0.2262), or node-positive MCN vs. node-positive IPMN (P = 0.2263). Age older than 65 years (hazards ratio (HR) 1.71, P = 0.0046), high tumor grade (HR 2.68, P < 0.0001), higher T stage (HR 2.11, P < 0.0001), and IPMN histology (HR 1.90, P = 0.0040) predicted worse outcome in node-negative patients.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that survival is better after resection of invasive MCN versus invasive IPMN when disease is localized within the pancreas, but this difference disappears in the presence of nodal metastasis or extrapancreatic extension.     

Duodenum-Preserving Subtotal and Total Pancreatic Head Resections for Inflammatory and Cystic Neoplastic Lesions of the Pancreas

Introduction For treatment of inflammatory and benign neoplastic lesions of the pancreatic head, a subtotal or total pancreatic head resection is a limited surgical procedure with the impact of replacing the application of a Whipple procedure. The objective of this work is to describe the technical modifications of subtotal and total pancreatic head resection for inflammatory and neoplastic lesions of the pancreas. The advantages of this limited surgical procedure are the preservation of the stomach, the duodenum and the extrahepatic biliary ducts for treatment of benign lesions of the pancreatic head, papilla, and intrapancreatic segment of the common bile duct. For chronic pancreatitis with an inflammatory mass complicated by compression of the common bile duct or causing multiple pancreatic main duct stenoses and dilatations, a subtotal pancreatic head resection results in a long-lasting pain control. Performing, in addition, a biliary anastomosis or a Partington Rochelle type of pancreatic main duct drainage, respectively, is a logic and simple extension of the procedure. The rationale for the application of duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection for cystic neoplastic lesions are complete exstirpation of the tumor and, as a consequence, interruption of carcinogenesis of the neoplasia preventing development of pancreatic cancer. Duodenum-preserving total head resection necessitates additional biliary and duodenal anastomoses. For mono-centric IPMN, MCN, and SCA tumors, located in the pancreatic head, total duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection can be performed without hospital mortality and resurgery for recurrency. Based on controlled clinical trials, duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection is superior to the Whipple-type resection with regard to lower postoperative morbidity, almost no delay of gastric emptying, preservation of the endocrine function, lower frequency of rehospitalization, early professional rehabilitation, and establishment of a predisease level of quality of life. Conclusion The limited surgical procedures of subtotal or total pancreatic head resection are simple, safe, ensures free tumour margins and replace in the authors institution the application of a Whipple-type head resection.     

An aggressive surgical approach is warranted in the management of cystic pancreatic neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Cystic pancreatic neoplasms encompass a range of benign to malignant disease. Recommendations for surgical management vary. METHODS: Records of patients with cystic pancreatic neoplasms from January 1996 through December 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Sixty resections were performed for 16 serous cystic neoplasms, 7 mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs), and 37 intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). Twenty-five percent (15/60) of neoplasms contained invasive cancer. Patients with MCN or IPMN invasive neoplasms experienced significantly diminished overall 5-year survival compared to patients with IPMN carcinoma in situ neoplasms and to patients with MCN or IPMN adenoma/borderline neoplasms (22% vs. 73% vs. 94%, P = .004). CONCLUSIONS: Given the poor long-term survival of patients with cystic pancreatic neoplasms containing invasive cancer and the current difficulty to preoperatively distinguish among the various types of lesions in a reliable manner, our data support an aggressive surgical approach to the management of cystic pancreatic neoplasms.     

Intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasms and mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas differentiated by ovarian-type stroma

BACKGROUND: Intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN) of the pancreas have similar clinicopathologic findings. This study was intended to clarify clinicopathologic characteristics in IPMNs and MCNs differentiated by ovarian-type stroma. METHODS: Medical records for 77 patients with pancreatic cystic neoplasms with mucin secretion were reviewed. Patients were divided into IPMN (n = 70) or MCN (n = 7) according to the presence of ovarian-type stroma, and clinicopathologic parameters were compared between groups. RESULTS: IPMNs consisted of 32 adenomas, 12 borderline neoplasms, 13 adenocarcinomas in situ, and 13 invasive adenocarcinomas; MCNs included 6 adenomas and 1 invasive adenocarcinoma. The mean age of IPMN patients (66 years) was significantly older than that of MCN patients (55 years). The male:female ratio in IPMN (53/17) was significantly greater (P < .001) than in MCN (0/7). The location of the pancreatic mass differed, with 76% 0f IPMNs occurring in the head, while 86% of MCNs occurred in the body or tail. Mass mean size was significantly smaller (28 mm vs 78 mm, P < .001), and mean diameter of the main pancreatic duct was larger (6.8 mm vs 3.1 mm, P < .001) in IPMN than in MCN. Patulous papilla was present in 44% (31/70) of IPMNs, but none was present in MCNs. Communication between the cyst and main pancreatic duct was more frequent in IPMNs (67/70) than in MCNs (1/7). Overall 5-year survival rates were 84% (IPMN) and 100% (MCN). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicopathologic differences between IPMN and MCN are much clearer when differentiated by presence of ovarian-type stroma. Favorable prognosis for both neoplasms is offered by complete resection.     

Inferior branch-preserving superior head resection of the pancreas with gastric wall-covering method for intraductal papillary mucinous adenoma

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas showed significantly less aggressive pathologic features compared with common pancreatic cancer. Therefore, several organ-preserving techniques, including duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection, have been advocated in surgical procedures for IPMN. We describe a surgical technique of superior head resection of the pancreas with inferior branch preservation followed by a gastric wall-covering method for the prevention of pancreatic leakage in patients with IPMN of the pancreas head.     

胰腺囊性肿瘤临床诊治分析

目的探讨胰腺囊性肿瘤的诊治方法。方法回顾性分析29例胰腺囊性肿瘤患者的临床资料,包括一般资料、临床表现、辅助检查、手术方法、病理结果、术后并发症和随访结果。结果 8例(28%)浆液性囊性肿瘤(SCN),12例(41%)黏液性囊性肿瘤(MCN),3例(10%)导管内乳头状黏液肿瘤(IPMN),6例(21%)实性假乳头状肿瘤(SPT)。8例SCN、7例MCN、1例IPMN和5例SPT均是良性肿瘤。76%(22/29)患者是女性,年龄(49±17)岁(15～78岁)。29例中行手术治疗23例,其中切除肿瘤22例,探查活检1例,围手术期无死亡病例;另外6例未手术者中4例SCN者行随访观察处理,2例IPMN者拒绝手术治疗。29例患者中获随访21例,随访时间为(2.7±2.3)年(6个月～8年),失访8例。16例肿瘤切除者随访期内肿瘤无复发,1例探查活检者术后1年死亡;4例未手术的SCN患者随访期内肿瘤无明显增大。结论胰腺囊性肿瘤中最常见的是黏液性肿瘤和浆液性肿瘤,多见于女性;浆液性肿瘤均为良性,42%的黏液性肿瘤是恶性;误诊将延误治疗,增加死亡率。胰腺囊性肿瘤手术切除率高,根治性切除后预后好。     

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas

As the use of cross-sectional imaging has become more frequent, there has been an increase in the diagnosis of cystic neoplasms and small non-functioning neuroendocrine neoplasms within the pancreas. Investigation and follow-up of cystic lesions of the pancreas requires a multimodal approach, of which endoscopic ultrasound with biopsy is becoming an increasingly important component. The main premalignant cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are mucinous-type tumours, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) and mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN). Main-duct IPMN should be resected due to the high incidence of underlying malignancy; however, a selective approach to intervention for side-branch IPMN should be taken (dependent on the presence of symptoms, tumour markers and tumour characteristics). Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs) can also present as cystic lesions in approximately 18% of cases. Biochemically confirmed functional PanNEN and non-secreting PanNENs larger than 2 cm in size should be evaluated for surgery.     

Chirurgische Therapie benigner,prämaligner und niedrig maligner Tumoren des Pankreas

Cystic neoplasms and neuroendocrine adenomas of the pancreas are detected increasingly more frequently and in up to 50?% as asymptomatic tumors. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, mucinous cystic neoplasms and solid pseudopapillary neoplasms are considered to be premalignant lesions with different rates of malignant transformation. The most frequent neuroendocrine adenomas are insulinomas. Neuroendocrine adenomas are considered to be potentially malignant, inherent to the lesion and development is unpredictable. Standard surgical treatment for pancreatic tumors are the Kausch-Whipple resection, left hemipancreatectomy and total pancreatectomy depending on the location; however, the application of standard surgical procedures, which are usually multiorgan resections for benign, premalignant and low-risk cancers of the pancreas have to be balanced against the risk for early postoperative morbidity, hospital mortality of 1.5–7?% and loss of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic functions in 12–30?%. Tumor enucleation, pancreatic middle segment resection and duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head (DPPHR-T/S) resection are parenchyma-preserving, local resection procedures, which are associated with a low early postoperative rate of severe complications, hospital mortality up to 1.3?% and maintenance of exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions in more than 90?%. Tumor enucleation bears the risk of pancreatic fistulas (<33?%) and a limitation is proximity to the pancreatic main duct. The main risk for pancreatic middle segment resection is early postoperative pancreatic fistulas (up to 40?%), early postoperative intra-abdominal hemorrhage and a reintervention frequency up to 15?%. The DPPHR-T/S resection is applied for cystic neoplastic lesions in 90?%, severe postoperative complications are below 15?% and the 90-day hospital mortality is 0.5?%. Pancreatic fistulas are observed in less than 20?% with a recurrence rate of <1?%. These facts and maintenance of exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions are advantages compared with the Kausch-Whipple resection of the pancreatic head. The use of tumor enucleation, particularly for neuroendocrine tumors and pancreatic middle segment resection as well as total DPPHR resection should replace the pancreatoduodenectomy for lesions in the pancreatic head and hemipancreatectomy for lesions in the pancreatic body and tail.     

胰头部肿块手术方式选择及评价

胰头部肿块解剖位置特殊,病理类型多样,治疗应采取个体化原则,对于胰头部实性包块,术前应重视肿块型胰腺炎和胰腺癌的鉴别,胰十二指肠切除术是胰头癌的经典术式,关于保留幽门的胰十二指肠切除,扩大淋巴结清扫范围及联合血管切除目前仍无共识,可酌情选用。近年来保留十二指肠的胰头切除术在治疗胰头肿块型胰腺炎中体现出一定优越性。对于术中仍无法区别良恶性者,不必过分强调病理结果,选择胰十二指肠切除术是可以接受,也是值得的。对于胰头部囊性及囊实性肿块,应根据肿瘤大小、位置、病理类型选用假性囊肿内、外引流、单纯摘除、保留十二指肠的胰头切除、胰腺节段切除及胰十二指肠切除术等,注意囊性肿块鉴别诊断,避免误将囊性肿瘤按假性囊肿行内引流术。     

Duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection in patients with benign and borderline tumors of the pancreatic head

Background: Benign tumors of the pancreas are rare, accounting for only 1–2% of primary pancreatic lesions. Up to now, partial duodenopancreatectomy is still one of the established forms of treatment of benign tumors of the pancreas. We applied duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection in 12 patients with benign pancreatic tumors to evaluate the feasibility, morbidity and recurrence rates after this less aggressive method. Methods: Between April 1984 and December 1999, 12 patients with benign and borderline tumors of the pancreatic head were operated on by duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection. Results: All five patients with serous cystadenoma are free of recurrence 4.4 years after primary resection. One of two patients with mucinous cystadenoma and one of three patients with intraductal papillary mucinous tumor developed recurrent tumor within the former pancreatic head 5 years and 6 years, respectively, after the primary operation. Both patients were resected a second time. One of two patients with gastrinoma still has elevated serum gastrin levels. There was no hospital or long-term mortality. Conclusion: For a symptomatic serous cystadenoma, duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection is a good alternative to partial duodenopancreatectomy. In borderline tumors with malignant potential, we would rather suggest a more radical duodenum-preserving segmental resection. A video clip (3 min) is attached demonstrating the basic steps of duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection. Received: 1 March 2000 Accepted: 15 March 2000     

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??Surgical treatment of pancreas head mass lesions:strategy and evaluation ZHANG Tai-ping, ZHAN Han-xiang, XIE Yong,et al. Department of Surgery,Peking Union Medical College Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,Beijing 100730, China Corresponding euthor:ZHAO Yu-pei, E-mail:zhao 8028@263.net Abstract Because of the special Anatomical location and diversity of pathology, surgical treatment of pancreas head mass lesions should be individual. For the solid mass,it is important to distinguish chronic pancreatitis with mass in the head of the pancreas with pancreatic carcinoma before operation process. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the classical operation for pancreatic head carcinoma. There is still no consensus for the widely application of PPPD,ELND and VR, so they can be Selected conditionally. Duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection has certain superiority in the treatment of pancreatic head mass lesions. Do not have too much emphasis on the pathological results of the atypical cases. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is acceptable and worthwhile for these patients.For the cystic and cystic-solid mass in the pancreas head, the operation process should be based on tumor size, location, pathological type and so on.External and internal drainage,tumor enucleation, duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection,segmental resection,Whipple procedure are the usual applied operation process.Inside drainage should be avoided for the pancreas cystic tumors.     

胰腺囊性肿瘤的诊治98例报告

目的探讨胰腺囊性肿瘤的常见类型、诊断及合理手术方式的选择。方法对2000年1月至2008年12月期间收治98例胰腺囊性肿瘤患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果本病无特征性的临床表现,B超、CT和Mill等影像学检查也能发现胰腺囊肿病灶但不能确定具体类型。本组胰腺囊腺瘤57例（浆液性囊腺瘤32例,黏液性囊腺瘤25例）,黏液性囊腺癌13例,实性假乳头状瘤19例,导管内乳头状黏液性肿瘤9例。所有患者均手术治疗,胰十二指肠切除26例,保留十二指肠胰头切除28例,胰腺节段切除术7例,胰体尾切除加脾脏切除25例,肿瘤摘除术12例。术后均进行随访,3例胰腺囊腺癌患者于术后6个月到4年期间死于癌转移或其他疾病,1例囊腺癌患者术后9个月肿瘤复发,再次手术后现仍生存,其他均存活。结论B超,CT和MRI等影像学技术是胰腺囊性肿瘤的主要诊断方法。手术切除为治疗该肿瘤的最有效手段。正确的诊断和合理手术方式的选择是提高其临床治愈率的关键。     

Zystische Tumoren des Pankreas

Cysts of the pancreas most often develop after chronic or acute inflammation of the pancreas. Cystic neoplasia of the pancreas have been increasingly recognized in clinical practice and 90% are represented by four types: serous microcystic (SCN), mucinous cystic (MCN), intraductal papillary-mucinous (IPMN) and solid pseudopapillary (SPN) neoplasia. IPMN is the most common form nowadays and main duct and branch duct types can be differentiated by morphology. This classification is of prognostic and therapeutic relevance. While main duct IPMNs have a high risk of malignant progression and resection is therefore recommended, branch duct IPMNs have a much lower risk of harboring malignancy. Small branch duct IPMNs (<2 cm) without symptoms or mural nodules can be managed by periodic surveillance. Recently, it has become clear that IPMN constitutes a heterogeneous group with at least four subtypes. Their stratification reveals that the various subtypes of IPMN have different biological properties with different prognostic implications, but the subclassification is usually not known prior to surgery. Moreover, even differentiation between inflammatory and neoplastic cysts can be challenging. Clear indications for resection are local complications (jaundice or gastric outlet obstruction), large and increasing tumurs, symptoms or secretion of mucinous fluid from the papilla of Vater.     

Duodenum-preserving head resection in chronic pancreatitis

A duodenum-preserving head resection was performed in 295 patients with chronic pancreatitis and an inflammatory mass in the head of the pancreas. Ninety-four percent of patients suffered severe pain syndrome, 48% had a common bile duct stenosis, 17% a vascular obstruction in the portal vein and splenic vein branches, and 6% had a severe stenosis of the duodenum. Surgical resection of the inflammatory mass in the head of the pancreas was indicated after a medical treatment of 4.1 years (median). Subtotal resection of the head of the pancreas, including the inflammatory mass, resulted in decompression of the narrowed common bile duct segment, decompression of the pancreatic main duct, and the relief of duodenum stenosis, as well as a relief of portal hypertension. The mean hospitalization time was 13 days, frequency of re-operation 5.8%, and hospital mortality 1.02%. Seventy-nine percent of patients experienced long-lasting pain relief and 11% reported a significant and long-lasting reduction of pain; late morbidity proved to be low. In comparison to the Whipple procedure the duodenum-preserving head resection has the advantage of preserving the stomach, duodenum and biliary tract.     

Uncinatectomy: a novel surgical option for the management of intraductal papillary mucinous tumors of the pancreas

An intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (IPMT) is a rare cystic lesion of the pancreas, comprising only 1% of all pancreatic exocrine neoplasms. The prognosis for these lesions is typically favorable as compared with invasive ductal carcinomas. Nevertheless, the management of IPMTs involves surgical resection due to their malignant potential. When located in the pancreatic head, the conventional treatment for IPMT is pancreatoduodenectomy. Some authors have advocated limited pancreatectomy for low-grade IPMTs of the pancreas, thereby decreasing the morbidity of more extensive resection. In this report, we describe our technique of minimal pancreatectomy, whereby the uncinate process and associated branch duct were completely extirpated while preserving remainder of the pancreatic head, duodenum, and pancreatic ducts. The case presented underscores the feasibility and advantages of minimal pancreatic resection in the management of such tumors.     

Cystic Neoplasia of the Pancreas: Pathology and Biology

In contrast with solid tumors, most of which are invasive ductal adenocarcinoma with dismal prognosis, cystic lesions of the pancreas are often either benign or low-grade indolent neoplasia. Those that are mucinous, namely, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs), constitute the most important category, not only because they are the most common, but more importantly because they have well-established malignant potential, representing an adenomacarcinoma sequence. While many are innocuous adenomas — in particular, those that are small and less complex, and in the case of IPMN, those that are branch-duct type are more commonly benign, some harbor or progress into in situ or invasive carcinomas. For this reason, pancreatic cysts with mucinous differentiation ought to be evaluated carefully, preferably by experts familiar with subtle evidences of malignancy in these tumors. In the past few years, the definition of IPMNs and MCNs has become more refined. The presence of ovarian-type stroma has now almost become a requirement for the diagnosis of MCN, and when defined as such, MCN is seen almost exclusively in women of perimenopausal age group as thick-walled multilocular cystic mass in the tail of the pancreas in contrast with IPMN which afflicts an elder population, both genders in almost equal numbers, and occur predominantly in the head of the organ. While mucinous lesions have well-established pre-malignant properties, most of the entities that fall into the nonmucinous true cyst category such as serous tumors, lymphoepithelial cysts, congenital cysts, and squamoid cyst of ducts have virtually no malignant potential. In contrast, the rare cystic tumors that occur as a result of degenerative/necrotic changes in otherwise solid neoplasia such as the rare cystic ductal adenocarcinomas, cystic endocrine neoplasia, and most importantly, solid-pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) in which cystic change is so common that it used to be incorporated into its name (“solid-cystic,” “papillary-cystic”) are malignant neoplasia, albeit variable degrees of aggressiveness. SPT holds a distinctive place among pancreatic neoplasia because of its highly peculiar characteristics, undetermined cell lineage, occurrence almost exclusively in young females, association with β-catenin pathway, and also by being a very low-grade curable malignancy. In conclusion, cystic lesions in the pancreas constitute a biologically and pathologically diverse category most (but not all) of which are either benign or treatable diseases; however, a substantial subset, especially mucinous ones, has malignant potential that requires careful analysis. This paper was originally presented as part of the SSAT/AGA/ASGE State-of-the-Art Conference on Management of Cystic Lesions of the Pancreas at the SSAT 48th Annual Meeting, May 2007 in Washington, DC. The other articles presented in the conference were Scheiman JM, Management of Cystic Lesions of the Pancreas: Diagnosis: Radiographic Imaging, EUS and Fluid Analysis; Tseng JF, Management of Serous Cystadenoma of the Pancreas; Fernández-del Castillo C, Mucinous Cystic Neoplasms; and Farnell MB, Surgical Management of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN) of the Pancreas.