1. Intraoperative Ultrasound During Surgical Exploration in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer and Vascular Involvement (ULTRAPANC): A Prospective Multicenter Study.
- Author
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Michiels N, Doppenberg D, Groen JV, van Veldhuisen E, Bonsing BA, Busch OR, Crobach ASLP, van Delden OM, van Dieren S, Farina A, de Hingh IHJT, Hurks R, Nederend J, Shahbazi Feshtali S, Tank Y, Vahrmeijer AL, Wasser M, Besselink MG, and Mieog JSD
- Subjects
- Humans, Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols therapeutic use, Prospective Studies, Neoadjuvant Therapy, Pancreatic Neoplasms, Pancreatic Neoplasms diagnostic imaging, Pancreatic Neoplasms surgery, Pancreatic Neoplasms drug therapy
- Abstract
Background: Determining the resectability of pancreatic cancer with vascular involvement on preoperative computed tomography imaging remains challenging, especially following preoperative chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy. Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) may provide real-time additional information, but prospective multicenter series confirming its value are lacking., Patients and Methods: This prospective multicenter study included patients undergoing surgical exploration for pancreatic cancer with vascular involvement. All patients underwent IOUS at the start of explorative laparotomy. Primary outcomes were resectability status as defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the extent of vascular involvement., Results: Overall, 85 patients were included, of whom 74 (87%) were post preoperative chemotherapy, and mostly following FOLFIRINOX regimen (n = 57; 76%). On the basis of preoperative imaging, 34 (40%) patients were staged as resectable (RPC), 32 (38%) borderline resectable (BRPC), and 19 (22%) locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). IOUS changed the resectability status in 32/85 (38%) patients (p < 0.001), including 8/19 (42%) patients with LAPC who were downstaged (4 to BRPC, 4 to RPC), and 22/32 (69%) patients with BRPC who were downstaged to RPC. Among patients with presumed superior mesenteric artery (SMA) involvement, 20/28 (71%) had no SMA involvement on IOUS. In 15 of these 20 patients a pancreatic resection was performed, all with R0 SMA margin., Conclusion: IOUS during surgical exploration for pancreatic cancer and vascular involvement downstaged the resectability status in over one-third of patients, which could facilitate progress during surgical exploration. This finding should be confirmed by larger studies, including detailed pathology assessment. Trial Registration www.trialregister.nl (NL7621)., (© 2023. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2023
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