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Introduction: Chronic pain patients who undergo to stressful events may experience worsening in pain, sleep, and quality of life (QoL). The primary objective of this observational study was to compare QoL and sleep parameters before and after the COVID-19 lockdown in patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). The psychological impact of lockdown was also assessed, as well as the emotional impact of the pandemic and its correlations with patient socio-demographics. Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years with FMS diagnosed according to ACR (American College of Rheumatology) 2016 Criteria with at least one pre-pandemic QoL and sleep evaluation were included. QoL and sleep disturbances were analyzed by comparing scores on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised (FIQ-R), the 12-item Short Form Survey (SF-12), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after the first lockdown in Italy (March to May 2020). Psychological impact was investigated via a 52-item survey of daily life changes in FMS management during the lockdown and emotional impact with the Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) tool during the onset period after the lockdown. Questionnaire responses were correlated with patients' socio-demographics. Results: Questionnaires were submitted via email to 54 patients' 37/54 patients (63.7%) returned them. QoL and sleep disturbances showed no statistically significant worsening. However, the psychological impact survey revealed that 3 out of 5 patients feared very much for their family members' lives during lockdown. The emotional impact survey disclosed 72.7% of patients with psychological distress. Conclusions: While questionnaire responses showed no significant changes in QoL and sleep after the COVID-19 lockdown in this sample of FMS patients, the emotional investigation revealed moderate/severe psychological distress not detected by commonly used QoL tests in FMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shotgun metagenomics sequencing experiments are finding a wide range of applications. Nonetheless, there are still limited guidelines regarding the number of sequences needed to acquire meaningful information for taxonomic profiling and antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) identification. In this study, we explored this issue in the context of oral microbiota by sequencing with a very high number of sequences (~ 100 million), four human plaque samples, and one microbial community standard and by evaluating the performance of microbial identification and ARGs detection through a downsampling procedure. When investigating the impact of a decreasing number of sequences on quantitative taxonomic profiling in the microbial community standard datasets, we found some discrepancies in the identified microbial species and their abundances when compared to the expected ones. Such differences were consistent throughout downsampling, suggesting their link to taxonomic profiling methods limitations. Overall, results showed that the number of sequences has a great impact on metagenomic samples at the qualitative (i.e., presence/absence) level in terms of loss of information, especially in experiments having less than 40 million reads, whereas abundance estimation was minimally affected, with only slight variations observed in low-abundance species. The presence of ARGs was also assessed: a total of 133 ARGs were identified. Notably, 23% of them inconsistently resulted as present or absent across downsampling datasets of the same sample. Moreover, over half of ARGs were lost in datasets having less than 20 million reads. This study highlights the importance of carefully considering sequencing aspects and suggests some guidelines for designing shotgun metagenomics experiments with the final goal of maximizing oral microbiome analyses. Our findings suggest varying optimized sequence numbers according to different study aims: 40 million for microbiota profiling, 50 million for low-abundance species detection, and 20 million for ARG identification. Key points: • Forty million sequences are a cost-efficient solution for microbiota profiling • Fifty million sequences allow low-abundance species detection • Twenty million sequences are recommended for ARG identification [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Literature shows that emotional status can influence participation in screening/surveillance programs, and that screening/surveillance programs may alter the psychological well-being of subjects examined. This study aims to assess if participating in a surveillance program for pancreatic cancer early detection is associated with abnormal levels of psychological distress in high-risk individuals (HRIs), compared to the general population.Methods: Fifty-four HRIs participating in a magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)-based surveillance program completed several psychological assessment questionnaires, investigating global functioning, self-efficacy, perceived stress, coping abilities, and social support. The questionnaires were administered by a clinical psychologist after the MRCP but before the subjects were informed about the results of the scans. The HRIs were subjects with strong familiarity of pancreatic cancer and/or carriers of known genetic mutations related to cancer susceptibility. The psychological assessment was made at the time of the first examination.Results: The population was characterized by an overall good psychological status. Scoring of our sample was comparable to the general population norms. The HRIs showed decent global functioning, high self-efficacy levels, low perceived stress in the last month prior to examination, efficient emotion-focused coping strategies, and an adequate social support system. The younger subjects' subpopulation only revealed higher levels of stress.Conclusions: From a psychological point of view, an MRCP-based pancreatic cancer annual surveillance seemed not to influence the HRIs' psychological well-being, unless in young people. Further studies are needed to better establish if there are any changes in distress levels over time and how emotional status influences participation in surveillance programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic cancer (PC) surveillance of high-risk individuals (HRI) is becoming more common worldwide, aiming at anticipating PC diagnosis at a preclinical stage. In 2015, the Italian Registry of Families at Risk of Pancreatic Cancer was created. We aimed to assess the prevalence and incidence of pancreatic findings, oncological outcomes, and harms 7 years after the Italian Registry of Families at Risk of Pancreatic Cancer inception, focusing on individuals with at least a 3-year follow-up or developing events before. METHODS: HRI (subjects with a family history or mutation carriers with/without a family history were enrolled in 18 centers). They underwent annual magnetic resonance with cholangiopancreatography or endoscopic ultrasound (NCT04095195). RESULTS: During the study period (June 2015-September 2022), 679 individuals were enrolled. Of these, 524 (77.2%) underwent at least baseline imaging, and 156 (29.8%) with at least a 3-year follow-up or pancreatic malignancy/premalignancy-related events, and represented the study population. The median age was 51 (interquartile range 16) years. Familial PC cases accounted for 81.4% of HRI and individuals with pathogenic variant for 18.6%. Malignant (n58) and premalignant (1 PanIN3) lesions were found in 9 individuals. Five of these 8 cases occurred in pathogenic variant carriers, 4 in familial PC cases (2 tested negative at germline testing and 2 others were not tested). Three of the 8 PC were stage I. Five of the 8PC were resectable, 3 Stage I, all advanced cases being prevalent. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year cumulative hazard of PC was 1.7%, 2.5%, and 3%, respectively. Median overall and disease-free survival of patients with resected PC were 18 and 12 months (95% CI not computable). Considering HRI who underwent baseline imaging, 6 pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (1 resected) and 1 lowyield surgery (low-grade mixed-intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm) were also reported. DISCUSSION: PC surveillance in a fully public health care system is feasible and safe, and leads to early PC or premalignant lesions diagnoses, mostly at baseline but also over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by attacks of head pain with prevalent unilateral localization, moderate to high intensity and specifically associated accompanying symptoms. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed data regarding 209 patients who had previously been diagnosed with migraine and who were prescribed, between 2019 and 2022, subcutaneous injections of anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) fremanezumab or galcanezumab or anti-CGRP receptors mAb erenumab regardless of the concomitant assumption of any other acute-phase or prophylactic migraine medication. Results: Regarding efficacy, in the 205 analyzed patients, the change from baseline in terms of MIDAS, HIT-6, MMDs and MAD scores was statistically significant for erenumab and galcanezumab, while for fremanezumab a statistical significance was not achieved likely due to the small sample size. In the treated population, 36 patients (17.5%) reported AEs (pain during injection, transient injection site erythema, nausea, constipation and fatigue). Only 5 patients (2.4%) discontinued the treatment for AEs while 15 patients (7.3%) left for lack of efficacy. Conclusions: this retrospective study comes out in favor of both significant efficacy and safety of anti-CGRP and anti-CGRP receptors mAbs in migraine patients. Further methodologically stronger studies are necessary to validate our observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain (PIFP), previously named Atypical Facial Pain (AFP) is a poorly understood condition, often diagnosed after several inconclusive investigations. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with PIFP referred to a Facial Pain Center. Methods: Between May 2011 and September 2014, data on 41 PIFP patients were analyzed regarding temporal, topographical and descriptive pain features, including onset, localization, pain descriptors and intensity. Pharmacological pain treatments were also registered. Finally, the presence and type of previous minor oro-surgery procedures in the painful area were investigated. Results: Demographic and clinical characterization were similar to PIFP patients reported in literature. The presence of previous minor oro-surgery procedures in the painful area was reported in most of these patients, in particular endodontic treatments and tooth extractions. Conclusions: This retrospective analysis showed a high prevalence of minor oro-surgery procedures in our population, while its role in PIFP pathophysiology remains unknown. A new classification of PIFP built around the main discriminant factor of presence of these procedures in the painful area could be considered while available data were still insufficient to define specific diagnostic criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity has traditionally been considered a cause of increased surgical complexity and poor outcomes following pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). This study aimed at evaluating the role of obesity in terms of mortality and failure to rescue (FTR), with a particular focus on nonmalignant tumors. All patients undergoing elective PD over 10 consecutive years were analyzed. Patients were stratified according to their BMI and categorized into two groups. Predictors of mortality and FTR were assessed through logistic regression. Out of 1865 patients included, 151 were obese (8.1%). Overall mortality and FTR were 3.1% and 14.1%, respectively. In obese patients, mortality was 6.0% and FTR 26.5%, significantly higher compared to nonobese (p < 0.05). In the multivariable analysis, obesity, age > 70 years, and ASA-PS score were independent predictors of mortality and FTR. Postoperative pancreatic fistula (35.8% vs. 25.8%), postpancreatectomy acute pancreatitis (24.5% vs. 12.5%), and chyle leak (6.0% vs. 3.2%) were more frequent among obese patients. In the subgroup of patients with nonmalignant tumors (n = 443), obesity was the only independent predictor of FTR. PD performed in obese patients was associated with higher surgical morbidity and mortality. When dealing with nonmalignant tumors, deferring surgery in obese patients should be strongly considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To compare the postoperative course of elderly patients (≥70 years) submitted to minimally invasive (MIDP) versus open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) and to evaluate if the modified Frailty Index (mFI) predicts the surgical course of elderly patients submitted to DP. Methods: Data of patients aged ≥70 who underwent DP at a single institution between March 2011 and December 2019 were retrospectively retrieved. A 2:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was used to correct for differences in baseline characteristics. Then, postoperative complications were compared between the two groups (MIDP vs. ODP). Additionally, the entire cohort of DP elderly patients was stratified according to the mFI into three groups: non-frail (mFI = 0), mildly frail (mFI = 1/2), or severely frail (mFI = 3) and then compared. Results: A total of 204 patients were analyzed. After PSM, 40 MIDP and 80 ODP patients were identified. The complications considered stratified homogenously between the two groups, with no statistically significant differences. The severity of the postoperative course increased as mFI did among the three groups regarding any complication (p = 0.022), abdominal collection (p = 0.014), pulmonary complication (p = 0.001), postoperative confusion (p = 0.047), Clavien-Dindo severity ≥3 events (p = 0.036), and length of stay (p = 0.018). Conclusions: Elderly patients can be safely submitted to MIDP. The mFI identifies frail elderly patients more prone to develop surgical and non-surgical complications after DP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of piperacillin-tazobactam as antibiotic prophylaxis in patients affected by a peri-ampullary tumor submitted to pancreatic surgery. Methods: A prospective, non-randomized, non-blinded, interventional study was conducted from January 2015 to March 2018. Patients were screened pre-operatively for Enterobacteriaceae producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL-PE). During the baseline period (January 2015-October 2016), surgical prophylaxis was performed with ampicillin-sulbactam. In the intervention phase (November 2016-March 2018), patients received piperacillin-tazobactam. Statistical analysis was performed by univariable and multivariable analysis with logistic regression models. Results: Overall, 383 patients were included in the baseline period and 296 in the intervention period. The surveillance strategy identified 47 ESBL-PE carriers (14%) in the baseline phase and 29 (10%) in the intervention phase. In the baseline period, the patients had a higher rate of hospital-acquired infection (43% versus 33%; p = 0.004), superficial surgical site infection (SSI) (11% versus 2%; p < 0.001), and pneumonia (16% versus 9%; p = 0.006). After the logistic regression, the baseline group had an odds ratio to develop superficial SSI and pneumonia of 7.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3-20) and 1.8 (95% CI 1-3.3), respectively. The ESBL colonization increased the mortality rate significantly (8% versus 3%; p = 0.017). Conclusions: Adopting antibiotic prophylaxis based on piperacillin-tazobactam is associated with a reduction in post-operative SSI, particularly superficial-SSIs. Further randomized studies would be warranted to evaluate this antibiotic combination more extensively in preventive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: (1) To determine the prevalence and type of depressive symptoms at day‐hospital clinical evaluation, before undergoing major surgery in patients diagnosed with pancreatic neoplasm. (2) To analyze the association between depression and sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables. (3) To understand how coping strategies, perceived social support, and self‐efficacy might affect depressive symptoms in this cohort of patients. Methods: Secondary data analysis collected during the baseline phase of a randomized controlled trial performed at the Pancreas Institute of the University Hospital of Verona, Italy, between June 2017 and June 2018. Results: 18.5% of pancreatic patients had a PHQ‐9 score ≥10 (cut‐off). Depressed patients were basically more often female (p = 0.07), younger (p = 0.06), and married/with a partner (p = 0.02). Depression was associated to high trait anxiety (p < 0.01), the use of anxiolytics (p < 0.01), sleep‐inducing drugs (p < 0.01), and painkillers (p < 0.01). Among psychosocial variables, depressed patients showed lower perceived self‐efficacy (p < 0.01) and family and friends' social support (p < 0.01) and used significantly more often dysfunctional coping strategies (p < 0.01), compared to nondepressed. A logistic multivariate model using psychosocial variables as explanatory and depression as dependent was calculated and post hoc analyses were conducted to describe the contribution of each psychosocial variable on depression. Conclusions: Our study advocates the need for screening for distress and depression in cancer surgery units and recommends to strengthen patients' adaptive coping, social support, and sense of effectiveness in facing the challenges related to the medical condition and treatment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study analyzed the Quality of Life (QoL) and cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic (LDP) versus robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP). Method: All patients who underwent LDP or RDP from 2011 to 2017 and with a minimum postoperative follow-up of 12 months were included in the study. To minimize bias, a propensity score-matched analysis (1:2) was performed. Two different questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D) were completed by the patients. The mean differential cost and mean differential Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY) were calculated and plotted on a cost-utility plane. Results: The study population consisted of 152 patients. After having applied the propensity score matching, the final population included 103 patients divided into RDP group (n = 37, 36%) and LDP (n = 66, 64%). No differences were found between groups regarding the baseline, intraoperative, postoperative, and pathological variables (p > 0.05). The QoL analysis showed a significant improvement in the RDP group on the postoperative social function, nausea, vomiting, and financial status (p = 0.010, p = 0.050, and p = 0.030, respectively). As expected, the crude costs analysis confirmed that RDP was more expensive than LDP (12,053 Euros vs. 5519 Euros, p < 0.001). However, the robotic approach had a higher probability of being more cost-effective than the laparoscopic procedure when a willingness to pay of more than 4800 Euros/QALY was accepted. Conclusion: RDP was associated with QoL improvement in specific domains. Crude costs were higher relative to LDP. Cost-effectiveness threshold resulted to be 4800 euros/QALY. The increasing worldwide diffusion of the robotic technology, with easier access and possible cost reduction, could increase the sustainability of this procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ablative techniques have emerged as new potential therapeutic options for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). We explored the safety and feasibility of using TRANBERG|Thermal Therapy System (Clinical Laserthermia Systems AB, Lund, Sweden) in feedback mode for immunostimulating Interstitial Laser Thermotherapy (imILT) protocol, the newest ablative technique introduced for the treatment of LAPC. The safety and feasibility results after the use of imILT protocol treatment in 15 patients of a prospective series of postsystemic therapy LAPC in two high-volume European institutions, the General and Pancreatic Unit of the Pancreas Institute, of the University of Verona, Italy, and the Department of Surgical Oncology of the Institut Paoli-Calmettes of Marseille, France, were assessed. The mean age was 66 ± 5 years, with a mean tumor size of 34.6 (±8) mm. The median number of cycles of pre-imILT chemotherapy was 6 (6-12). The procedure was performed in 13 of 15 (86.6%) cases; indeed, in two cases, the procedure was not performed; in one, the procedure was considered technically demanding; in the other, liver metastases were found intraoperatively. In all treated cases, the procedure was completed. Three late pancreatic fistulas developed over four overall adverse events (26.6%) and were attributed to imILT. Mortality was nil. A learning curve is necessary to interpret and manage the laser parameters. Safety, feasibility, and device handling outcomes of using TRANBERG|Thermal Therapy System with temperature probes in feedback mode and imILT protocol on LAPC were not satisfactory. The metastatic setting may be appropriate to evaluate the hypothetic abscopal effect.#NCT02702986 and #NCT02973217. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current management guidelines recommend that patients with borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma (BRPC) should initially receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The addition of advanced radiation therapy modalities, including stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), could result in a more effective neoadjuvant strategy, with higher rates of margin-free resections and improved survival outcomes.Methods/design: In this single-center, single-arm, intention-to-treat, phase II trial newly diagnosed BRPC will receive a "total neoadjuvant" therapy with FOLFIRINOX (5-fluorouracil, irinotecan and oxaliplatin) and hypofractionated SBRT (5 fractions, total dose of 30 Gy with simultaneous integrated boost of 50 Gy on tumor-vessel interface). Following surgical exploration or resection, IORT will be also delivered (10 Gy). The primary endpoint is 3-year survival. Secondary endpoints include completion of neoadjuvant treatment, resection rate, acute and late toxicities, and progression-free survival. In the subset of patients undergoing resection, per-protocol analysis of disease-free and disease-specific survival will be performed. The estimated sample size is 100 patients over a 36-month period. The trial is currently recruiting.Trial Registration: NCT04090463 at clinicaltrials.gov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of symptoms in pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) is mainly based on retrospective surgical series. The aim of this study is to describe the actual prevalence of symptoms in PCNs under surveillance. Methods: Patients with PCNs under surveillance observed from 2015 to 2017 were submitted to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a specific interview. An identical survey was carried out on a control population matched for age, sex, and comorbidities in which any pancreatic disease was excluded by MRI. Results: Two groups of 184 individuals were compared. Patients with PCNs have a similar prevalence of abdominal pain when compared to controls (35.2 vs. 28.8, p = 0.2). PCNs in the distal pancreas experienced a significantly increased prevalence of abdominal pain (42.3 vs. 28.8%, p = 0.04), whereas size and presumed connection with the ductal system did not affect the prevalence of abdominal pain. PCNs associated with abdominal pain did not differ in terms of clinical and radiological features from asymptomatic ones. Conclusion: Patients with PCNs under surveillance have a similar prevalence of abdominal pain when compared to a matched population of controls. Abdominal pain might not correlate with radiological signs of malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very little is known about adjuvant chemotherapy for invasive Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas. The aim was to assess whether adjuvant chemotherapy affects survival. Retrospective evaluation of invasive IPMNs. Patients treated with surgery alone or followed by adjuvant chemotherapy were compared in terms of survival. A total of 102 invasive IPMNs were analyzed. Median follow-up was 72 (5–318) months and 18.6% received adjuvant chemotherapy. Overall, recurrence rate was 40.2%, while 5-year overall survival and disease specific survival (DSS) were 65.3% and 69.4%, respectively. N1 disease (HR5.58, CI95% 2.49–12.51, p < 0.01), tubular type (HR2.35, CI95% 1.71–4.82, p = 0.05) and G3 tumors (HR4.54, CI95% 2.12–15.49, <0.01) were predictors of reduced DSS. Overall, there was no difference in the 5-year DSS comparing patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy to surgery alone (61.8 vs. 69.4%, p = 0.8). Adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved DSS only in N1 (5-years-DSS 76 vs. 35.8%, p = 0.01) and tubular carcinomas (5-years-DSS 88.9 vs. 53%, p = 0.03). Adjuvant therapy improves survival only in invasive IPMNs with nodal disease or tubular differentiation. Future trials are needed to improve the level of evidence about adjuvant chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Implications of preoperative biliary drain on morbidity and mortality after pancreatoduodenectomy are still controversial. The present study aims to assess the impact of preoperative biliary drain on postoperative outcome and to define optimal serum bilirubin cut‐off to recommend biliary drainage in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy. Methods: All consecutive pancreatoduodenectomies carried out at Verona Hospital from 2005 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The study population was divided into three groups: preoperative biliary drained (Stented Group), preoperative jaundice without drainage (Jaundiced Group) and the control group of non‐jaundiced, non‐stented patients (Control Group). Results: A total of 1500 patients were included. Seven hundred and fourteen patients (47.6%) received biliary drain (stented group), 258 (17.2%) patients did not (jaundiced group) and 528 (35.2%) patients represented the (control group). Major complications and mortality rates did not differ between groups. Conversely, the risk of developing surgical site infections doubled in the stented group (18.1%) (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.5–2.8). In jaundiced patients, a preoperative bilirubin value greater than 7.5 mg/dL (128 μmol/L) accurately predicted the likelihood of postoperative complications. Conclusion: Preoperative biliary drain does not increase major complications and mortality rates after pancreatoduodenectomy, but it is associated with higher surgical site infection rates. In jaundiced patients, a bilirubin value greater than 7.5 mg/dL (128 μmol/L) should indicate biliary drainage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) remains a major complication. The aim of this study was to reappraise the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) classification. Methods The clinical utility of the ISGPS classification was tested on consecutive pancreatic resections performed at the Pancreas Institute of the University of Verona Hospital. Results PPH occurred in 65 of the 2429 patients (6.8%) undergoing pancreatic resection. Outcome of patients without PPH and with grade A PPH were comparable in terms of mortality, length of stay, ICU stay and readmission. Patients with grade B late and mild and grade B early and severe PPH had similar hospital stay and mortality rates, but differed in relaparotomy rate (10.1 vs. 81.2%, p < 0.01). Replacing “time of PPH onset” criterion with post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF), severe PPH alone, mild PPH/POPF and severe PPH/POPF differed significantly for hospital stay (14 vs. 23 vs. 35 days, p < 0.01) and mortality rate (0 vs. 4 vs. 25%, p = 0.05). Conclusion Grade A PPH shared the same outcome of patients without PPH. Grade B PPH included two categories of patients with different treatment modalities. The use of “concomitant POPF” instead of “time of onset” segregated three discrete categories that differed significantly in terms of clinical outcomes and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Despite improvements in the perioperative care, the morbidity rate after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is still higher than 50%. The aim of this study was twofold: first, to assess the correlation between preoperative rectal swab (RS) and intraoperative bile cultures; to examine the impact of RS isolates on postoperative course after PD. Methods An observational study was conducted analyzing all consecutive PD performed from January 2015 to July 2016. Based on the positivity/negativity of preoperative RS for multi-drug resistant bacteria, two groups of patients were identified (RS+ vs. RS−) and then compared. Results Three hundred thirty-eight patients were considered for the analysis. RS culture showed a perfect correlation (species and phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility pattern) with bile culture in 157 patients (86.7%). Fifty patients (14.8%) had a RS+. Preoperative biliary drain (PBD) was the single independent preoperative risk factor associated to RS+ (p = 0.021, OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.5–11.7). Infective complications (IC) and mortality were independently correlated to RS+ (p = 0.013, OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.3–6.7; p = 0.009 OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.8–14.9, respectively). Conclusions Preoperative surveillance RS-culture's positivity correlates to biliary colonization that occurs after PBD. IC and mortality after PD are associated with RS+. Preoperative RS can direct antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce morbidity and mortality after PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background High-volume centers have to deal with long surgical waiting-lists leading to a potential delay in treatment. This study assessed whether a longer time from diagnosis to surgery worsened pathological and survival outcomes in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods A retrospective analysis of patients treated for resectable PDAC. Difference in size between preoperative CT-scan and specimen, pathological features, the rate of vascular and R1 resections as well as recurrence and survival were analyzed depending on the waiting time using a 30-day cut-off. Results Waiting more than 30 days for surgery was associated with an increase in tumor size on specimen when compared with CT-scan (+3 vs. +1 mm, p = 0.04). T and N status, rate of vascular resection, grading, perineural and lymphovascular infiltration, and R1 rates did not differ between groups, as well as tumor recurrence (48.8% vs. 48.9%, p = 0.5) and survival (31 vs. 29 months, p = 0.7). For PDAC < 20 mm, waiting less than 30 days improved overall survival (p = 0.02). Conclusion The duration of the surgical waiting-list did not affect pathological features and survival. Delayed surgery was associated with increased cancer size on the specimen. However, surgery should not be delayed for PDACs < 20 mm as this may negatively affect the prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: SMAD4 mutational status correlates with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) failure pattern. We investigated in a subset of locally advanced patients submitted to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) whether the assessment of SMAD4 status is a useful way to select the patients.Methods: Clinical, radiological, and follow-up details of patients submitted to RFA for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC), in whom cytohistological material was available at our institution, were retrospectively retrieved. SMAD4 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and considered “negative” or “positive.” The survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models.Results: The study population consisted of 30 patients. Thirteen patients (43.3%) received RFA upfront, whereas 17 (56.7%) after induction treatments. SMAD4 was mutant in 18 out of 30 patients (60%). The overall estimated post-RFA disease-specific survival (DSS) was 15 months (95% CI 11.64-18.35). The estimated post-RFA DSS of patients with wild-type and mutant SMAD4 was 22 and 12 months, respectively (log-rank p < 0.05). At the multivariate analysis, SMAD4 was the only independent predictor of survival (p = 0.05). The pattern of failure was not associated with SMAD4 status (p = 0.4).Conclusions: Within patients undergoing RFA for LAPC, SMAD4 analysis could segregate a subgroup of subjects with improved survival, who likely benefited from tumor ablation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The impact of suture materials on the development of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy remains unclear. Thus, their choice among pancreatic surgeons is still mostly experience-based. Aim of the present study is to assess what is the best suture material to be used for pancreaticojejunostomy.Materials and Methods: The force needed to reach the breaking point of five widely used suture materials (polypropylene, polyester, polydioxanone, silk, and polyglactin 910) has been determined through a digital precision dynamometer at baseline and after 5 and 20 days of incubation in pancreatic juice, bile, or a mixture of both.Results: Regardless of the condition, polyglactin 910 has retained only 10% of its baseline force. Silk has maintained almost 90% of its initial force showing a very low baseline value of force. In pancreatic juice, polypropylene has lost less force compared to polyester (0.25 vs. 0.93 N; p = 0.03) and polydioxanone (0.25 vs. 3.67 N; p = 0.04). Polyester and polydioxanone have showed similar values of force. However, polydioxanone has lost a significant amount of force in pancreatic juice when compared to polyester (0.93 vs. 3.67 N; p = 0.03). Polyester has showed the highest value of force needed to reach the breaking point after 20 days of incubation in pancreatic juice.Conclusions: After incubation in pancreaticobiliary secretions, polyglactin 910 loses almost all its force. Polypropylene preserves its characteristic, but polydioxanone and polyester show absolute higher breaking points, with polyester retaining the highest value of force needed to reach its breaking point after incubation in pancreatic juice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The intraoperative identification of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) is of utmost importance to drive their laparoscopic resection. Near-infrared (NIR) surgery has emerged as a new technique for localizing tumors or neoplastic tissue. This study aimed to explore the results of the application of NIR in the laparoscopic resection of PanNETs.Methods: Per protocol we enrolled ten subjects undergoing laparoscopic pancreatic surgery for PanNET from March 2016 to October 2016. During surgery, the patients were injected with indocyanine green dye (ICG, 25 mg given in 5 boli of 5 mg each). The switch-activation of NIR was performed to identify PanNETs. An ex-post analysis of the images was realized using ImageJ Software® to calculate the fluorescence signal.Results: NIR imaging identified all ten PanNETs. Nine (90%) laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy and one (10%) laparoscopic enucleation were performed. The mean maximum tumor dimension was 2.4 cm (range 1-4 cm). Eight non-functioning PanNETs (80%) and two insulinomas (20%) were found at the final pathology. Nine out of ten (90%) PanNETs were detected after the second ICG bolus. The mean latency time was 80 s and the mean visibility time was 220 s. The peak of tumor visualization was reached 20 min after the last bolus. This finding was confirmed by the ex-post analysis of the fluorescence signal (mean signal-to-background ratio of 7.7, p = 0.001). NIR identified two additional lesions, which turned out to be normal lymph nodes at final pathology. A fluorescent signal was identified at the bed of the enucleation, and thus, a further exeresis was performed and final pathology revealed that is was residual neoplastic tissue.Conclusions: This explorative study shows that NIR with ICG can have a role in laparoscopic pancreatic resection of PanNETs. Further studies are needed to assess the proper setting and role of this new and promising technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreatic texture is one of the key predictors of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). Currently, the 'gold standard' for assessment of pancreatic texture is surgeon's subjective evaluation through manual palpation. Aim: To evaluate a new 'durometer' that is able to assess quantitatively the pancreatic stiffness by measuring its elastic module (i.e., the resistance offered by the pancreatic stump when elastically deformed expressed in mPa). Methods: Measurements were obtained from the pancreatic remnant during 138 consecutive PDs performed at the Department of General and Pancreatic Surgery-The Pancreas Institute, University of Verona Hospital Trust. Values were correlated to clinical features and, in particular, with the senior surgeon's evaluation of pancreatic texture (hard/soft). Sixteen beating-heart donors were used as a control group to assess the stiffness of a non-pathologic pancreas. Univariate analysis was performed for the assessment of POPF predictors. Results: Durometry allowed segregating between non-pathologic, soft and hard pancreas according to surgeon's evaluation (mean values 111 vs. 196 vs. 366 mPa, p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in stiffness with regard to histology, BMI, and neoadjuvant therapy. Larger tumors (>20 mm) and male sex were associated with greater stiffness on univariate analysis. Pancreatic texture, pancreatic duct size, BMI, prior neoadjuvant therapy, and histology were predictors of POPF. Patients who developed POPF showed a lesser stiffness (178 vs. 261 mPa, p = 0.05). Conclusion: Assessment of pancreatic stiffness using a durometer correlated with the surgeon's evaluation of pancreatic texture. Measurement of pancreatic parenchymal stiffness is reliable and correlates with the development of POPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]