Histopathological evaluation after pancreatic surgery: Comparison of the results of HPB-specific pathologists and non-specific pathologists.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the results of the evaluation of HPB-specific pathologists and general pathologists on the specimens of patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy by the same surgical team.

Material and methods: The pathological results of 159 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in the periampullary region was retrospectively examined. Histopathological evaluation results of HPB-specific pathologist (S group) and other pathologists (NS group) were compared. Tumor size (mm), total lymph nodes, metastatic lymph nodes, surgical margin positive/negative (RO/R1/R2 resection) and data of patients who underwent vascular resection were evaluated.

Results: The specimens of 91 patients were examined by a HPB-specific pathologist (S group), and the specimens of 68 patients were examined by non-specific pathologists (NS group). When compared in terms of the average total number of lymph nodes and metastatic lymph nodes dissected, a statistically significant result was observed (p= 0.04, p <0.01 respectively). Additionally, surgical margin positivity (R1) was found to be statistically higher in the S group (p= 0.02).

Conclusion: In order for the success of HPB surgery to be reflected in the clinic, it is of great importance that the specimens are examined by HPBspecific pathologists.