Search

Background: Fast track strategy in the management of patients undergoing intra-abdominal surgery of various types has emerged as a landmark approach to reduce surgical stress and accelerate recovery. This study was to evaluate the effect of fast track strategy on patients subjected to pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) from an individual unit during transit from low to a high volume center., Methods: A total of 142 PD patients who had been subjected to fast track strategy between June 2008 and September 2012 were compared with 46 patients who had received conventional surgery between January 2006 and May 2008. Comparative analysis was made of postoperative complications, postoperative recovery, length of hospital stay and patient readmission requirement., Results: The patients subjected to fast track strategy had a faster recovery and a shorter hospital stay than those who were treated conventionally (7.8 vs 12.1 days). The intraoperative events like operative blood loss (417.9+/-83.8 vs 997.4+/-151.8 mL, P<0.001), blood transfused (a median of 0 vs 1 unit, P<0.001) and operative time taken (125 vs 245 minutes, P<0.001) were significantly lower in the fast track group. The frequency of pancreatic fistula (4.9% vs 13.0%) and delayed gastric emptying (7.0% vs 17.4%) was also significantly reduced with fast track treatment. Nevertheless, the readmission rate (11.3% vs 6.5%) was found relatively higher within the fast track group. However, increased readmission rates in this study seem to be independent of fast track protocol., Conclusions: This preliminary analysis suggests that the fast track approach might be beneficial to the well-being of the patients after PD, for it accelerates the immediate clinical recovery of patients and significantly shortens their length of hospital stay.

Background: Major complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy are usually caused by a leaking pancreaticojejunal anastomosis. Omental flaps around various anastomoses were used to prevent the formation of fistula., Methods: We reviewed 147 patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy between March 2006 and March 2012. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the application of omental flaps around various anastomoses: group A (101 patients) who underwent omental wrapping procedure; group B (46 patients) who did not undergo the omental wrapping procedure. Perioperative data of the two groups were reviewed to assess the effectiveness of omental flap procedure in the prevention of pancreatic fistula and other complications., Results: No differences were observed in the clinical characteristics between the 2 groups. The incidences of pancreatic fistula (4.0% vs 17.4%), post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (0 vs 6.5%), biliary fistula (1.0% vs 13.0%), and delayed gastric emptying (4.0% vs 17.4%) were significantly less frequent in group A. The overall morbidity (18.8% vs 47.8%) and hospital stay (8.3 vs 9.6 days) were also significantly lower in group A than in group B., Conclusions: Omental flaps around various anastomoses after pancreaticoduodenectomy can reduce the incidences of pancreatic fistula, biliary fistula, post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage and delayed gastric emptying. This procedure is simple and effective to reduce the overall morbidity after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is a high risk, complex, technically challenging operation associated with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality. This study on the surgical management of periampullary cancer patients is based on our experience in a period of nearly 13 years., Methods: The study was conducted on two groups of patients: group A included 42 patients who were treated between January 2000 and September 2005 and group B included 134 patients who were treated between October 2005 to October 2012. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative details of all these patients were collected, tabulated and analyzed to assess the impact of the selective approach introduced in the department with effect from October 2005., Results: Intraoperative details revealed highly significant differences in the management of the two groups of patients in respect of operative time (250.4 vs 126.6 minutes; P<0.001), operative blood loss (1070.2 vs 414.9 mL; P<0.001) and intraoperative blood transfusion (1.4 vs 0.2 units; P<0.001). Variations between the two groups in the frequency of complications were found to be statistically insignificant. However, the difference between the two groups in the overall morbidity of patients (47.6% vs 26.1%; P=0.009) and the length of their hospital stay (11.8 vs 7.8 days; P<0.001) were significant., Conclusion: A selective approach applied to the surgical management of periampullary cancer patients is a step in the right direction.

Background: Pancreatic tumors located in the neck region usually require pancreaticoduodenectomy or splenopancreatectomy. For small benign tumors enucleation is not usually feasible due to their size and localization; then pancreatectomy is often needed. Central pancreatectomy consists of a limited resection of the midportion of the pancreas and can be offered in benign and low-grade malignant tumors of the neck of the pancreas. The study aimed to evaluate whether central pancreatectomy has a place in pancreatic surgery., Methods: In this study, which covered a period of 14 months, we performed central pancreatectomy in four selected patients. Preoperative evaluation and operative frozen section biopsy in indicated cases allowed proper selection for the procedure. Operative details, complications and follow-up were recorded., Results: Four patients, two with serous cystadenoma, and one with an islet cell tumor, and one with a hydatid cyst, were identified for the procedure. The mean tumor size was 3 cm, the mean operative time was 217.5 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 382.5 ml. There was no morbidity or mortality in this series. No endocrine or exocrine deficiency was observed in any patient during a mean follow-up of 22.7 months., Conclusions: Central pancreatectomy is a procedure that offers excellent results in benign and low-grade malignant tumors. It preserves functional elements (endocrine and exocrine) of the pancreas and also eliminates the infective and hematological effects of splenectomy. Thus, central pancreatectomy should be included in the armamentarium of pancreatic surgery, and in order to obtain good results, proper indications and adequate experience are recommended.