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Advances in technology and techniques have allowed for robotic distal pancreatectomies to be readily performed in patients at high volume centres. This study describes the experience of a single surgeon during the learning curve and transition from open to robotic distal pancreatectomy in Australia, a traditionally low volume pancreatic surgery country.All patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy at an Australian-based tertiary referral centre between 2010 and 2021 were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic, clinicopathologic and survival data were analysed to compare perioperative and oncological outcomes between patients who underwent open, laparoscopic and robotic distal pancreatectomies.A total of 178 distal pancreatectomies were identified for analysis during the study period. Ninety-one open distal pancreatectomies (ODP), 48 laparoscopic distal pancreatectomies (LDP), and 39 robotic distal pancreatectomies (RDP) were performed. Robotic distal pancreatectomy was non-inferior with respect to perioperative outcomes and yielded statistically non-significant advantages over LDP and ODP.RDP is feasible and can be performed safely in well-selected patients during the learning phase at large pancreatic centres in a traditionally low-volume country like Australia. Referral to large pancreatic centres where access to the robotic platform and surgeon experience is not a barrier, and where a robust multidisciplinary team meeting can take place, remains pivotal in the introduction and transition toward the robotic approach for management of patients with pancreatic body or tail lesions.

Background Neoadjuvant therapy may increase the likelihood of complete (R0) resection for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. The optimal approach is unknown and differs amongst treatment centres. Methods We identified patients with biopsy-proven borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma who commenced neoadjuvant therapy between January 2012 and June 2019 at three centres in Sydney, Australia. Patterns of care and outcomes of varying approaches were examined. Results Forty-eight patients were identified. Median age was 66 years (range: 41-84). Staging included endoscopic ultrasound in 98%, PET-CT scan in 77%, laparoscopy in 46%. Neoadjuvant regimens used were a combination of chemotherapy and chemo-radiation (58%), chemotherapy alone (13%) and chemoradiation alone (29%). Radiologic complete or partial response occurred in 33% and progression in 25%. Complete macroscopic surgical resection was achieved in 50%, and R0 resection in 38%. At median follow-up of 15 months, the 1-year and 2-year overall survival was 75% and 63% respectively, and the 1-year and 2-year progression-free survival was 50% and 29% respectively. Significant predictors of macroscopic resectability were radiologic response (p = 0.005) but not addition of radiotherapy to chemotherapy (OR 0.87, p = 0.81). Predictors of overall survival included baseline Ca19.9 level (p = 0.04) and a trend to the use of systemic chemotherapy (HR 0.51, p = 0.07), but not use of radiotherapy (HR 0.70, p = 0.47). Conclusion There is high variability in staging and neoadjuvant approaches for borderline resectable pancreas cancer. Despite aggressive neoadjuvant therapies, R0 resection and prolonged survival are uncommon. The incremental benefit of neoadjuvant radiotherapy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was not demonstrated in this observational study.

Background The process of undergoing a pancreatic resection places a patient under notable physiologic strain throughout the perioperative journey, with well recognized risks of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications. Preoperative preparations and screening often incorporate a barrage of testing, including electrocardiograms, transthoracic echocardiography, chest X-rays and spirometric evaluations. However, the current literature does not demonstrate whether these common tests provide any predictive correlation with postoperative cardiopulmonary complications. This retrospective study is structured to identify complications in post-pancreatic resection patients and assess for a predictive correlation with preoperative test results. Methods A retrospective analysis of all patients having undergone a pancreatic resection at a single tertiary centre, between 2014 and 2016. The inpatient medical records were reviewed for 30-day postoperative complications, including acute myocardial infarction, cardiac dysrhythmia, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia or pleural effusions. The results of routine preoperative diagnostic tests and complication rates were analysed. Results A total of 244 patients, median age of 66 years (range 18-88 years) were included in the study. Of these, 11 patients experienced a cardiac complication and 16 patients experienced a respiratory complication. Among those who experienced cardiac events, only two patients had abnormalities in their preoperative electrocardiograms. Patients who sustained a cardiac or respiratory event did not have any evidence of abnormality in their preoperative transthoracic echocardiography or respiratory investigations, respectively. Conclusion Despite the recommendation that high-risk procedures such as pancreatic resections warrant thorough, routine, preoperative cardiac and respiratory investigation, a more functional preoperative assessment should be considered to stratify and predict postoperative outcomes.

Background: The impact of the public and private hospital systems on major abdominal operations that are demanding on clinical resources, such as pancreatic surgery, has not been explored in an Australian setting. This study examines the perioperative outcome of patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) at a major public and private hospital. Methods: Patients undergoing PD between January 2004 and October 2015 were classified based on their health insurance status and location of where the surgery was performed. Clinical variables relating to perioperative outcome were retrieved and compared using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Four hundred and twenty patients underwent PD of whom 232 patients (55%) were operated on in the private hospital. Overall, there was no difference in morbidity and mortality in the public versus the private hospital. However, there were variations in public versus private hospital, this included longer duration of surgery (443 min versus 372 min; P < 0.001), increased estimated blood loss (683 mL versus 506 mL; P < 0.001) and more patients requiring perioperative blood transfusion (25% versus 13%; P = 0.001). Of the 10 complications compared, post-operative bleeding was higher in the private hospital (11% versus 5%; P = 0.051) and intra-abdominal collections were more common in the public hospital (11% versus 5%; P = 0.028). Independent predictive factors for major complications were American Society of Anesthesiologists score (odds ratio (OR) = 1.91; P = 0.050), patients requiring additional visceral resection (OR = 3.36; P = 0.014) and post-operative transfusion (OR = 3.37; P < 0.001). The hospital type (public/private) was not associated with perioperative outcome. Conclusion: Comparable perioperative outcomes were observed between patients undergoing PD in a high-volume specialized unit in both the public and private hospital systems.

Background: Neoadjuvant therapy is increasingly recognized as an effective strategy prior to pancreatoduodenectomy. We investigate the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by surgery and the predictive role of viable residual tumour cells histopathologically on outcomes. Methods: The study population comprised of 195 consecutive patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who were treated with either NAC or a surgery-first (SF) strategy. Histopathological viable tumour cells were examined in the NAC patients and clinicopathological factors were correlated with overall survival. Results: Forty-two patients (22%) were treated with NAC and 153 patients (78%) underwent SF. NAC was associated with higher estimated blood loss during surgery (928 mL versus 615 mL; P = 0.004), fewer ( 65% residual tumour cells was 45% and 90% in patients who had

Background: The dogma of administering sufficient intravenous fluids aggressively to avoid under-resuscitation has recently been challenged. Evidence suggests that excessive perioperative fluid administration may be associated with negative clinical outcomes in gastrointestinal surgery. This study examines the impact of fluid administration on perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 202 patients undergoing PD between January 2004 and August 2015 was performed. A cut-off value of 10 mL/kg/h was applied (low fluid group

Neoadjuvant therapy is increasingly recognized as an effective strategy prior to pancreatoduodenectomy. We investigate the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by surgery and the predictive role of viable residual tumour cells histopathologically on outcomes.The study population comprised of 195 consecutive patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who were treated with either NAC or a surgery-first (SF) strategy. Histopathological viable tumour cells were examined in the NAC patients and clinicopathological factors were correlated with overall survival.Forty-two patients (22%) were treated with NAC and 153 patients (78%) underwent SF. NAC was associated with higher estimated blood loss during surgery (928 mL versus 615 mL; P = 0.004), fewer (15) excised lymph nodes (37% versus 17%; P = 0.015) and lower rates of lymphovascular invasion (65% versus 45%; P = 0.044) when compared with SF. Two-year survival of patients undergoing NAC was 63% and 51% in patients undergoing SF (P = 0.048). The 2-year survival of patients who had65% residual tumour cells was 45% and 90% in patients who had65% residual tumour cells (P = 0.022). Favourable responders (65% viable tumour cells) were observed to have shorter operation time (420 min) (55% versus 13%; P = 0.038), trend towards negative lymph node status (38% versus 10%; P = 0.067) and greater lymph node harvest in node positive patients (≥4 positive lymph nodes) (77% versus 37%; P = 0.045).The improved survival of patients undergoing NAC indicates effective management of micrometastatic disease and is an effective option requiring further investigation. Histopathological viable tumour cells after NAC was a surrogate marker for survival.

Background: Minimally invasive techniques to manage infected pancreatic necrosis have been recently developed and changes in their pattern of use are unknown. The aims of this survey were to determine the trends in the role of minimally invasive techniques to manage infected complications of necrotizing pancreatitis and the barriers to performing minimally invasive necrosectomy in Australia and New Zealand. Methods: Members of the Australian and New Zealand Hepatic Pancreatic and Biliary Association were surveyed. Participant demographics and necrotizing pancreatitis caseload were determined. The perceived role of percutaneous catheter drainage and minimally invasive necrosectomy for pancreatic abscess, infected pseudocyst and infected pancreatic necrosis were scored on Likert scales, comparing 2002 with 2007. Barriers to performing minimally invasive necrosectomy were scored. Results: The response rate was 49% (44/90). Between 2002 and 2007, the role of percutaneous catheter drainage became more important as primary (P = 0.05) and secondary (P = 0.01) treatment for pancreatic abscess, and prior to minimally invasive necrosectomy for abscess, pseudocyst and necrosis (P < 0.01). Minimally invasive necrosectomy became increasingly important as primary treatment for infected necrosis (P < 0.01) and had been used by 47% of respondents. The greatest barriers to performing minimally invasive necrosectomy were lack of training and experience in the techniques, and the anatomical position and complexity of the target lesion. Conclusion: Minimally invasive techniques have an increasingly important perceived role in the management of pancreatic abscess, infected pseudocyst and infected pancreatic necrosis. Further evidence is required to determine the best techniques for treating each form of infection associated with necrotizing pancreatitis.