Annals of hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery最新文献

Backgrounds/aims: Biliary tract and pancreatic cancers remain leading contributors to cancer-related mortality in Korea, even though their incidence rates are comparatively low. This study evaluates long-term national patterns in these malignancies utilizing population-based data.

Methods: Information from the Korea Central Cancer Registry was used to assess 258,854 patients newly diagnosed with gallbladder (n = 52,712), extrahepatic bile duct (n = 76,787), and pancreatic (n = 129,355) cancers between 1999 and 2022.

Results: During the period from 1999 to 2022, the crude incidence rates for gallbladder (2.8 to 5.6 per 100,000), extrahepatic bile duct (3.6 to 9.8), and pancreatic cancers (5.5 to 19.1) all showed an upward trend. For pancreatic cancer, the age-standardized incidence rate rose markedly (5.6 to 8.4), whereas it stabilized for extrahepatic bile duct cancer (3.7 to 3.8), and declined for gallbladder cancer (2.9 to 2.2). The distributions of localized and regional disease stages remained largely consistent throughout the study period. There was an increase in the proportion of patients undergoing surgical intervention within the first 4 months post-diagnosis for gallbladder (42.3% to 48.2%) and pancreatic cancer (22.5% to 23.7%), while this proportion slightly declined in extrahepatic bile duct cancer (47.8% to 46.0%). The overall 5-year relative survival rate improved significantly in gallbladder (21.9% to 32.1%) and pancreatic (8.6% to 15.5%) cancers, and showed a modest improvement in extrahepatic bile duct cancer (23.1% to 27.2%).

Conclusions: The crude incidence rates for gallbladder, extrahepatic bile duct, and pancreatic cancers have continuously risen in Korea. While survival rates have improved, the persistently high mortality rates highlight the critical need for earlier diagnosis and advancements in therapeutic approaches.

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) is a specialized treatment for chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients experiencing intractable pain, aiming to preserve endocrine function and enhance quality of life. This narrative review explores the evolution of islet isolation techniques and their impact on yields and clinical outcomes in TPIAT. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched utilizing the keywords: total pancreatectomy, islet autotransplantation, islet transplantation, TPIAT, islet yields, islet isolation. This review underscores significant advances in islet isolation, from initial collagenase-based methods to the automated Ricordi technique and the enzyme Liberase, which have significantly improved islet yield and viability. Factors such as pancreatic fibrosis, preoperative nutritional status, and ischemia times are critical determinants of outcomes. Higher islet yields (> 5,000 islets/kg) correlate with substantially better insulin independence (20%-40% at 1 year), while pain relief (80%-90%) and quality of life improvements (60%-70%) are consistently observed. Variability in yields due to disease severity and levels of technical expertise continues to pose challenges. TPIAT has evolved into a widely accepted treatment option for CP, with advanced islet isolation techniques contributing to enhanced clinical success. Despite these advancements, variability in islet yields and outcomes highlights the need for standardized protocols and optimized preservation techniques. Future research should aim to address challenges associated with fibrosis and improve long-term graft function, thereby maximizing TPIAT's therapeutic potential.

Simple hepatic cysts are now diagnosed in over 8,000 individuals annually in South Korea, largely due to the widespread adoption of medical check-ups and advancements in imaging techniques. However, no appropriate clinical practice guideline has been established to address this condition. While international guidelines have recently been published, differences in clinical and epidemiological contexts have highlighted the need for a tailored guideline to assist domestic clinicians. To address this, the Clinical Practice Guideline Development Committee of Korea Association Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery gathered input from surgeons, physicians, radiologists, pathologists, and epidemiology experts to adapt and modify pre-existing international guidelines to better suit domestic realities. This clinical practice guideline aims to provide a clear and appropriate pathway for the management of patients with simple hepatic cysts. It is anticipated that, based on this guideline, clinicians will have a practical framework for diagnosis and treatment. In the near future, it will be necessary to collect high-level evidences to further refine and strengthen recommendations for subsequent guideline updates.

Acute pancreatitis is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases, with necrotizing pancreatitis affecting 10% to 15% of patients. Over recent years, the management of pancreatic necrosis has evolved significantly, with a growing shift towards minimally invasive approaches. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of minimally invasive approach compared to open surgical approach in managing necrotizing acute pancreatitis. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, including 22 studies. Both fixed-effect and random-effect models were applied to analyze nine outcomes evaluated. Homogeneity among studies was assessed using χ² tests, I² statistics, and p-values. The risk of postoperative mortality, intra-abdominal bleeding, pancreatic and enteric fistulas, perforation, new-onset diabetes, and postoperative sepsis was significantly lower in the minimally invasive approach group than in the open surgical approach group. A minimally invasive approach to necrotizing acute pancreatitis might be associated with a lower risk of complications compared to an open surgical approach. However, most of the included studies were observational studies. Additional randomized trials are needed to further confirm these findings.

Although half of the patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are diagnosed at an advanced stage, surgical interventions needed at this stage are currently limited. Carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) has emerged as a promising treatment modality for PDAC owing to its superior physical and radiobiological properties. However, a major challenge in this treatment is the proximity of the pancreas to radiosensitive organs including the stomach and duodenum, which limits dose escalation and increases the risk of severe complications, including ulceration and perforation. Herein, we report our experience with laparoscopic omentopexy as a spacer technique before CIRT in patients with locally advanced PDAC. A 55-year-old female with locally advanced PDAC, secondary to unreconstructible superior mesenteric vein involvement, who had planned to undergo CIRT. After 28 cycles of modified FOLFIRINOX, the tumor size demonstrated slight shrinkage. However, the tumor abutted the posterior wall of the stomach, raising concerns about ensuring a sufficient safety margin while delivering a curative dose of CIRT. Therefore, laparoscopic omentopexy was performed for spacer implantation between the pancreas and stomach. The patient was discharged on the postoperative day 2 without any complications. One month after the omentopexy, the patient completed all 12 fractions of the CIRT with no acute complications, except for grade 1 fatigue. After completing CIRT, the patient underwent regular follow-up evaluations. Laparoscopic omentopexy before CIRT in patients with locally advanced PDAC could enhance therapeutic efficacy.

Backgrounds/aims: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the standard treatment for resectable tumors of the pancreatic head, ampulla, distal bile duct, and duodenum. Despite advances, delayed gastric emptying (DGE) remains a common complication. Feeding jejunostomy (FJ) is often used during PD, though its necessity and association with increased morbidity, particularly DGE, remain controversial. This study aimed to evaluate early postoperative outcomes in PD patients with or without FJ, focusing on DGE and related complications.

Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted from August 2022 to April 2024 and included 56 patients (28 with FJ, 28 without). Primary outcomes were DGE, postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), and hospital stay. Secondary outcomes included FJ-related complications, surgical site infections, and time to tolerate solid food. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v28.

Results: DGE was significantly more frequent in the FJ group (78.6% vs. 39.3%, p = 0.006). Clinically relevant DGE (grades B/C) was also higher with FJ (60.7% vs. 21.4%, p = 0.008). FJ-related complications, including intestinal obstruction requiring reoperation, occurred in 10.7% of patients. Time to tolerate solid food and hospital stay were longer in the FJ group. Multivariate analysis identified FJ use and perioperative blood transfusion as independent risk factors for DGE.

Conclusions: Routine FJ placement in PD is associated with increased DGE and tube-related complications. A selective approach to FJ may improve postoperative outcomes. Larger multicenter randomized trials are needed to validate these findings and develop clear guidelines for FJ use in PD.

Backgrounds/aims: This study investigated perioperative patterns of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and related determinants in pancreatic cancer surgery using a nationwide Korean database.

Methods: We assessed data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) from 2012 to 2020, including newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients aged ≥ 20 years who underwent pancreatic surgery within one-year of their diagnosis. Perioperative RBC transfusion was defined as receiving ≥ 1 unit of allogenic RBCs from one week before surgery through hospital discharge.

Results: Of the 10,473 patients, 18% underwent perioperative RBC transfusions. The transfusion rate declined from 20.1% in 2012 to 12.7% in 2015, followed by an increase to 19.9% in 2020. In a multivariate analysis, each 10-year increase in age (odds ratio [OR], 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-1.37), female sex (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05-1.29), and being in the lowest-income quartile compared to the highest (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.11-1.49) were associated with an increased likelihood of requiring RBC transfusions. A higher Charlson comorbidity index was independently connected to a greater risk as well. Compared with pancreaticoduodenectomy, total pancreatectomy had higher odds (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.56-2.35), whereas distal pancreatectomy had lower odds. Furthermore, general hospitals, compared with tertiary hospitals, were associated with higher transfusion probability (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.22-1.56).

Conclusions: Given rising RBC transfusion rates among low-income patients and limited NHIS coverage for new transfusion-sparing methods, Korea should prioritize broader adoption of multidisciplinary blood management over continued reliance on transfusion.

We herein present a novel combined posterior and left-sided superior mesenteric artery (SMA) first approach to facilitate the TRIANGLE operation for pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) or total pancreatectomy (TP) in pancreatic cancer. Patients who were diagnosed with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent PD or TP using the combined posterior and left-sided SMA-first approach to the TRIANGLE operation between June 2021 and June 2024 were included in this study. General characteristics, technical details including operative techniques, short-term outcomes, and pathological results were analyzed retrospectively and compared with those from historic cohorts undergoing single SMA-first approach resections. Overall, 126 patients were analyzed (dual-approach PD-TP, n = 33; single-approach PD-TP, n = 93). The dual-approach resection yielded more lymph nodes than the single-approach (36.17 vs 26.53; p < 0.001). Additionally, the rate of tumor-positive resection margins, R1 (direct), was decreased. The duration of the operation was significantly longer, and blood loss was higher with the dual approach. There was no significant difference in postoperative mortality and complications between the two approaches. Utilizing the combined posterior and left-sided first approach to SMA in PD or TP with the TRIANGLE operation proved safe and effective for achieving R0 resection with favorable short-term outcomes in borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Bile duct injuries are a serious issue, and their surgical treatment carries the risk of morbidity and mortality. In selected cases, non-surgical treatments are possible, even for total strictures. We outline the technique and results of using magnetic compression anastomosis (MCA) to treat post-cholecystectomy bile duct stricture (PCBDS), in two female patients. Initially, a bilio-cutaneous tract was established via external biliary drainage, followed by the positioning of both endoscopic and percutaneous biliary magnets. After their approximation and subsequent removal, a fully covered self-expandable metal stent (FCSEMS) was deployed across the stricture. The magnet coupling was successfully achieved within the first two weeks of placement. The FCSEMS was maintained for durations of 12 and 16 months. Follow-up durations were 28 and 15 months post-FCSEMS removal. Both patients remain asymptomatic, with normal laboratory and imaging studies, and no adverse events were reported. MCA proves to be a safe and effective method for treating selected cases of total PCBDS. However, further studies and long-term follow-up are required to fully assess the efficacy of this technique.

Incidental gallbladder cancer (iGBC) diagnosed post-histopathological examination of gallbladders removed assuming benign gallstone disease constitutes a significant proportion of GBC patients. Most iGBC patients present with early-stage disease. The standard care for localized (non-metastatic) iGBC includes a reoperation for complete extended (radical) cholecystectomy involving liver resection and lymphadenectomy, followed by postoperative adjuvant systemic therapy. However, a major drawback of this approach is the high recurrence rate within six months post-radical surgery, which undermines the benefits of the extensive procedure; notably, most recurrences are distant, highlighting the efficacy of systemic therapy. Similar to other gastrointestinal cancers, there appears to be a potential for neoadjuvant systemic therapy (chemotherapy) before reoperative surgery in iGBC cases. The premise that neoadjuvant systemic therapy aids in selecting diseases with more favorable biological characteristics and addresses micro-metastatic disease appears applicable to iGBC as well. This systematic review examines the current evidence supporting or refuting neoadjuvant therapy and discusses criteria for selecting patients who would derive significant benefit, along with proposing an optimal chemotherapy regimen for iGBC patients. Improved outcomes have been reported in patients undergoing reoperation after 4 to 14 weeks following the initial cholecystectomy compared to immediate reoperation. Limited, yet promising, evidence supports the use of 3 to 4 cycles of gemcitabine-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to reoperative surgery in select high-risk iGBC cases.