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Background: In the mandatory nationwide Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Audit, rates of major complications and Failure to Rescue (FTR) after pancreatoduodenectomy between low- and high-mortality hospitals are compared, and independent predictors for FTR investigated., Methods: Patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy in 2014 and 2015 in The Netherlands were included. Hospitals were divided into quartiles based on mortality rates. The rate of major complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥3) and death after a major complication (FTR) were compared between these quartiles. Independent predictors for FTR were identified by multivariable logistic regression analysis., Results: Out of 1.342 patients, 391 (29%) developed a major complication and in-hospital mortality was 4.2%. FTR occurred in 56 (14.3%) patients. Mortality was 0.9% in the first hospital quartile (4 hospitals, 327 patients) and 8.1% in the fourth quartile (5 hospitals, 310 patients). The rate of major complications increased by 40% (25.7% vs 35.2%) between the first and fourth hospital quartile, whereas the FTR rate increased by 560% (3.6% vs 22.9%). Independent predictors of FTR were male sex (OR = 2.1, 95%CI 1.2-3.9), age >75 years (OR = 4.3, 1.8-10.2), BMI ≥30 (OR = 2.9, 1.3-6.6), histopathological diagnosis of periampullary cancer (OR = 2.0, 1.1-3.7), and hospital volume <30 (OR = 3.9, 1.6-9.6)., Conclusions: Variations in mortality between hospitals after pancreatoduodenectomy were explained mainly by differences in FTR, rather than the incidence of major complications., (Copyright © 2018 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Preoperative portal vein embolization is widely used to increase the future remnant liver. Identification of nonresponders to portal vein embolization is essential because these patients may benefit from associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS), which induces a more powerful hypertrophy response. 99m Tc-mebrofenin hepatobiliary scintigraphy is a quantitative method for assessment of future remnant liver function with a calculated cutoff value for the prediction of postoperative liver failure. The aim of this study was to analyze future remnant liver function before portal vein embolization to predict sufficient functional hypertrophy response after portal vein embolization., Methods: Sixty-three patients who underwent preoperative portal vein embolization and computed tomography imaging were included. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy was performed to determine pre-portal vein embolization and post-portal vein embolization future remnant liver function. Receiver operator characteristic analysis of pre-portal vein embolization future remnant liver function was performed to identify patients who would meet the post-portal vein embolization cutoff value for sufficient function (ie, 2.7%/min/m 2 )., Results: Mean pre-portal vein embolization future remnant liver function was 1.80% ± 0.45%/min/m 2 and increased to 2.89% ± 0.97%/min/m 2 post-portal vein embolization. Receiver operator characteristic analysis in 33 patients who did not receive chemotherapy revealed that a pre-portal vein embolization future remnant liver function of ≥1.72%/min/m 2 was able to identify patients who would meet the safe future remnant liver function cutoff value 3 weeks after portal vein embolization (area under the curve = 0.820). The predictive value was less pronounced in 30 patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (area under the curve = 0.618). A total of 45 of 63 patients underwent liver resection, of whom 5 of 45 developed postoperative liver failure; 4 of 5 patients had a post-portal vein embolization future remnant liver function below the cutoff value for safe resection., Conclusion: When selecting patients for portal vein embolization, future remnant liver function assessed with hepatobiliary scintigraphy can be used as a predictor of insufficient functional hypertrophy after portal vein embolization, especially in nonchemotherapy patients. These patients are potential candidates for ALPPS., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Importance: Resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) is high-risk surgery, with reported operative mortality up to 17%. Therefore, preoperative risk assessment is needed to identify high-risk patients and anticipate postoperative adverse outcomes., Objective: To provide external validation of the Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress (E-PASS) risk model in a Western PHC cohort., Design, Setting, and Participants: The E-PASS variables were obtained from a database that included 156 consecutive patients who underwent resection for suspected PHC between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2015, at the Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The accuracy of E-PASS using intraoperative variables and its modified form that can be used before surgery (mE-PASS) in predicting mortality was assessed by area under the curve analysis (discrimination) and by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test (calibration)., Main Outcomes and Measures: In-hospital mortality, severe morbidity (Clavien-Dindo grade≥III), and a high Comprehensive Complication Index., Results: Among 156 patients included in the study, the median age was 63 years, and 62.8% (n = 98) were male. Of them, 85.3% (n = 133) underwent major liver resection. Severe morbidity occurred in 51.3% (n = 80), and in-hospital mortality was 13.5% (n = 21). Both E-PASS and mE-PASS had adequate discriminative performance, with areas under the curve of 0.78 (95% CI, 0.67-0.88) and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.70-0.89), respectively, while E-PASS showed better calibration (P = .33 vs P = .02, Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test). The ratios of observed to expected mortality were 1.31 for E-PASS and 1.24 for mE-PASS. Both models were able to distinguish groups with low risk, intermediate risk, and high risk, with observed mortality rates of 0.0% to 3.6%, 8.3% to 9.0%, and 25.0% to 28.3%, respectively. Severe morbidity and a high Comprehensive Complication Index were more frequently observed among high-risk patients., Conclusions and Relevance: Both E-PASS models accurately identify patients at high risk of postoperative in-hospital mortality after resection for PHC. The mE-PASS model can be used before surgery in outpatient settings and allows for risk assessment and shared decision making.

Background: Either enucleation or more extended resection is performed to treat patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET). Aim was to analyze the postoperative complications for each operation separately. Furthermore, independent risk factors for complications and incidence of pancreatic insufficiency were analyzed., Methods: Retrospective all resected patients from two academic hospitals in The Netherlands between 1992 and 2013 were included. Postoperative complications were scored by both ISGPS and Clavien-Dindo criteria. Based on tumor location, operations were compared. Independent risk factors for overall complications were identified. During long-term follow-up, pancreatic insufficiency and recurrent disease were analyzed., Results: Tumor enucleation was performed in 60/205 patients (29%), pancreatoduodenectomy in 65/205 (31%), distal pancreatectomy in 72/205 (35%) and central pancreatectomy in 8/205 (4%) patients. Overall complications after tumor enucleation of the pancreatic head and pancreatoduodenectomy were comparable, 24/35 (69%) versus 52/65 (80%). The same was found after tumor enucleation and resection of the pancreatic tail (36 vs.58%). Number of re-interventions and readmissions were comparable between all operations. After pancreatoduodenectomy, 33/65 patients had lymph node metastasis and in patients with tumor size ≤2 cm, 55% had lymph node metastasis. Tumor in the head and BMI ≥25 kg/m(2) were independent risk factors for complications after enucleation. During follow-up, incidence of exocrine and endocrine insufficiency was significant higher after pancreatoduodenectomy (resp. 55 and 19%) compared to the tumor enucleation and distal pancreatectomy (resp. 5 and 7% vs. 8 and 13%). After tumor enucleation 19% developed recurrent disease., Conclusion: Since the complication rate, need for re-interventions and readmissions were comparable for all resections, tumor enucleation may be regarded as high risk. Appropriate operation should be based on tumor size, location, and functional status of the pNET.

Purpose: This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of percutaneous balloon dilation and long-term drainage of postoperative benign biliary strictures., Methods: Medical records of patients with postoperative benign biliary strictures, in whom percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and balloon dilation was performed between January 1999 and December 2011, were retrospectively reviewed. PTBD and balloon dilation (4-10 mm) were followed by placement of internal-external biliary drainage catheters (8.5-12 F). Patients were scheduled for elective tube changes, if necessary combined with repeated balloon dilation of the stenosis, at 3-week intervals up to a minimum of 3 months., Results: Ninety-eight patients received a total of 134 treatments. The treatment was considered technically successful in 98.5%. Drainage catheters were left in with a median duration of 14 weeks. Complications occurred in 11 patients. In 13 patients, percutaneous treatment was converted to surgical intervention. Of 85 patients in whom percutaneous treatment was completed, 11.8% developed clinically relevant restenosis. Median follow-up was 35 months. Probability of patency at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years was 0.95, 0.92, 0.88, and 0.72, respectively. Overall, 76.5% had successful management with PTBD. Restenosis and treatment failure occurred more often in patients who underwent multiple treatments. Treatments failed more often in patients with multiple strictures. All blood markers of liver function significantly decreased to normal values., Conclusions: Percutaneous balloon dilation and long-term drainage demonstrate good short- and long-term effectiveness as treatment for postoperative benign biliary strictures with an acceptably low complication rate and therefore are indicated as treatment of choice.

Introduction: Operative complications after pancreatoduodenectomy can be managed by nonoperative or operative interventions. The aim of this study was to analyze the shift in management of five major complications and their success rates. An algorithm was developed according to predictors for type of intervention and failure of management., Methods: From 1992-2012, patients with pancreaticojejunostomy, hepaticojejunostomy or gastroenterostomy leakage, postpancreatectomy hemorrhage, or primary abscess after pancreatoduodenectomy were selected from a prospectively maintained database. Complications were treated by nonoperative or operative intervention Two cohorts were created according to period of index operation. Pre- and postoperative characteristics were analyzed., Results: Of 1,037 patients, 263 (25%) experienced operative complications. The incidence of pancreatic fistula increased from 11 to 18%, accompanied by a shift from operative toward nonoperative management. This was also seen in the management of late hemorrhage. Success rates of interventions remained similar for all complications. The incidence of primary abscesses decreased. Early sepsis (odds ratio [OR] 17.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.9-64.4) was associated with failure of nonoperative interventions in patients with pancreatic fistula. Hemodynamic instability (OR 17.2, 95% CI 1.8-160.1) and sepsis (OR 6.7, 95% CI 2.7-16.3) were predictive for operative intervention. Failure of nonoperative intervention (HR 3.95% CI 1.3-7.1) and operative intervention (HR 6.4 95% CI 3.2-12.8) were predictors for poor survival., Conclusion: The shift towards nonoperative interventions was notable in patients suffering from pancreaticojejunostomy leakage and late hemorrhage. Anastomotic leakage, late hemorrhage, and primary abscesses can be managed nonoperatively however; hemodynamic instability and early sepsis are strong arguments to perform surgery., (Copyright © 2014 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) occurs frequently after pancreatic surgery. Recently a consensus definition of DGE was introduced, and this grading system is currently widely used. The aim of this study was to compare results of gastric emptying scintigraphy with the grade of DGE after pancreatic surgery., Methods: In 44 patients undergoing exploration for a pancreatic head or periampullary tumor, 28 pancreatoduodenectomies (PDs) and 16 double-bypass procedures were performed. All patients underwent preoperative and postoperative gastric emptying scintigraphy. We investigated whether the incidence of DGE was correlated with the results of gastric emptying scintigraphy., Results: DGE occurred in 19 (43 %) patients. Clinically relevant DGE (grades B and C) prevailed in the PD group. Median postoperative residual activity at t = 2 h (%RA120) in these groups was 36 % (no DGE), 75 % (grade A), 93 % (grade B), and 95 % (grade C). DGE grade B or C was found in 7 of 10 patients with %RA120 of ≥94 % on postoperative day (POD) 7., Conclusions: Postoperative %RA120 on scintigraphy is positively associated with severity of DGE. Gastric emptying scintigraphy on POD 7 can predict the severity of DGE. When postoperative gastric emptying scintigraphy shows high residual radioactivity, the likelihood of further progression to grade B or C DGE is high and warrants investigation for underlying causes.

Aim: To identify predictors of postoperative ascites after liver resection for patients with or without preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE)., Methods: Patients undergoing PVE prior to hepatectomy (PVE group; n = 37) were compared with patients who underwent liver resection without PVE (n = 503). Ascites was defined as postoperative daily drainage of clear ascitic fluid exceeding 200 ml/day. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative variables were retrospectively analyzed using uni- and multivariate analyses., Results: Postoperative ascites was present in 13.5% (5/37) of patients who underwent PVE before hepatectomy, compared to 5.8% (29/503) in the group undergoing liver resection without PVE (p = 0.061). In all patients, cirrhosis (OR 54.505, p < 0.001), operation time (OR 1.004, p = 0.014), and the use of the Pringle maneuver (OR 2.336, p = 0.041) were independent risk predictors for ascites in multivariate analysis. In PVE patients, cirrhosis (OR 0.156, p < 0.001) was the only independent significant predictor of ascites after resection. In patients undergoing liver resection without PVE, independent risk factors with multivariate analysis were operation time (OR 1.005, = 0.001) and cirrhosis (OR 26.609, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Operation time and the use of the Pringle maneuver were significant predictors of ascites after hepatectomy. Cirrhosis was a significant risk factor associated with postoperative ascites., (Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

The relationship between hospital volume and outcome of care after pancreatic surgery, particularly mortality, has been described extensively in the past. Today, this relationship is frequently being used by healthcare providers and/or insurance companies to select hospitals for various surgical procedures. This concept, however, has many limitations. The conceptual model concerning the relationship between how hospital facilities are arranged and the different aspects of the process of providing healthcare is discussed in three case histories describing complicated postoperative courses after pancreatic resections. The conclusion is that, besides hospital volume, the manner in which the various facilities in hospitals are arranged as well as the process of care giving, particularly the effectiveness of multidisciplinary meetings, are of crucial importance to the quality of care. Data per illness, with adequate correction for case mix, are of crucial importance for comparing the differences in quality of care between hospitals.

Objective: To investigate the relation between perioperative hyperglycemia and complications after pancreatoduodenectomy., Background: Perioperative hyperglycemia is associated with complications after various types of surgery. This relation was never investigated for pancreatoduodenectomy., Methods: In a consecutive series of 330 patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy, glucose values were collected from the hospital information system during 3 periods: pre-, intra-, and early postoperative. The average glucose value per period was calculated for each patient and divided in duals according to the median group value. Odds ratios for complications were calculated for the upper versus lower dual, adjusted for age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, intraoperative blood transfusion, duration of surgery, intraoperative insulin administration, and octreotide use. The same procedures were carried out to assess the consequences of increased glucose variability, expressed by the standard deviation., Results: Average glucose values were 135 (preoperative), 133 (intraoperative) and 142 mg/dL (early postoperative). Pre- and intraoperative glucose values were not associated with postoperative complications. Early postoperative hyperglycemia (≥140 mg/dL) was significantly associated with complications [odds ratio (OR) 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.7-4.9]. Overall, high glucose variability was not significantly associated with postoperative complications, but early postoperative patients who had both high glucose values and high variability had an OR for complications of 3.6 (95% CI, 1.9-6.8) compared to the lower glucose dual., Conclusions: Early postoperative hyperglycemia is associated with postoperative complications after pancreatoduodenectomy. High glucose variability may enhance this risk. Future research must demonstrate whether strict glucose control in the early postoperative period prevents complications after pancreatoduodenectomy.

Aim: Although most partial liver resections are performed for malignant lesions, an increasing contingent of benign lesions is also considered for surgery. The aim was to assess post-operative morbidity and mortality after liver resection for benign hepatobiliary lesions in comparison with outcome after resection of malignant lesions., Methods: A total of 286 liver resections were undertaken between January 1992 and December 2004. After exclusion of resection for bile duct tumours or hepatocellular carcinoma, 205 partial liver resections were retrospectively analysed., Results: Patients with benign lesions comprised 34% of the group (n=70). Benign lesions mainly consisted of focal nodular hyperplasia (n=12; 17%) and liver haemangiomas (11; 15.7%). The malignant lesions consisted of colorectal tumour metastases (n=121; 89%). Patients with benign lesions predominantly underwent minor liver resections (66 vs. 47%; P=0.013). The overall post-operative morbidity occurred in 31% (64/205). Major morbidity occurred in 16% (22/135) in the malignant group compared with 9% (6/70) in the benign group (P=0.099). No differences were seen in major post-operative morbidity in the earlier period compared with the later period (14 vs. 14.3%, P=0.950). In multivariate analysis, only presence of comorbidity (P=0.017), prolonged surgical procedure (P=0.021) and surgical irradicality (P=0.039) maintained significance as independent risk factors for major morbidity., Conclusion: Limited liver resections for the treatment of a wide range of benign hepatobiliary lesions are associated with low morbidity and no mortality. However, the indications must be assessed with care. The presence of comorbidity, prolonged surgical time and incomplete resections were associated with major morbidity.

Background: Predicting the severity of complications after esophagectomy may supply important information for both patient and surgeon. The aim of the present study was to develop a nomogram based on preoperative risk factors to predict the severity of complications in patients who undergo esophagectomy for cancer., Methods: A consecutive series of 663 patients who underwent esophagectomy between January 1993 and August 2005 was used to develop a prognostic model. The model was validated in a second group of patients who were operated between August 2005 and November 2006. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to predict the severity of complications. Diverse simple and conventional preoperative risk factors were evaluated. A nomogram was developed to enhance clinical applicability., Results: Patients were divided into three complication categories: those who suffered from no complications (n = 197); minor complications (n = 354); and major complications (n = 112). The following predictors remained in the model after multivariate analysis: higher age (p = 0.014); cerebrovascular accident/transient ischemic attack (CVA/TIA) (p = 0.009) or myocardial infarction in the medical history (p = 0.066); lower forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration (FEV(1)) (p = 0.030); presence of electrocardiogram-changes (p = 0.008); and more extensive surgery (p < 0.001). A nomogram based on these variables was constructed. Overall agreement between the predicted probabilities and the observed frequencies was good in the development and the validation set., Conclusions: The nomogram predicts the severity of complications for individual patients and may help in informing the patient before undergoing esophagectomy for cancer and in choosing the optimal extent of surgery. When externally validated, the nomogram may play a role in risk-adjusted audit of morbidity after esophagectomy.

Background: Esophagectomy is frequently accompanied by substantial complications with secondary disturbance of the immune system. After esophagectomy for adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus and/or gastroesophageal junction, the majority of patients develops an early recurrence and dies within 2 years. The aim of this study was to determine the relevance of perioperative complications on the timing of death due to recurrence., Methods: A consecutive series of 351 patients who underwent esophagectomy for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction was reviewed., Results: Of the 351 included patients, 191 patients (54%) died due to recurrence of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Of these 191 patients, 77 (40%), 138 (72%), and 186 patients (97%) died before 12, 24, and 60 months, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that T-stage, lymph node ratio >0.20, the presence of extracapsular lymph node involvement, but not complications were significant factors for the prediction of death due to cancer recurrence. However, in the patients who died, multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that not only the presence of extracapsular lymph node involvement but also the occurrence of complications were significantly related with a shorter time interval until death due to recurrence., Conclusion: The relation between perioperative complications and cancer recurrence per se is not causal. However, postoperative complications are independently associated with the early timing of death due to cancer recurrence. A possible explanation for this phenomenon is that immunologic host factors enhance microscopic residual disease to develop more rapidly into clinically manifest recurrence.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare morbidity and mortality of patients who had epidural analgesia for at least 2 days after transthoracic esophagectomy for cancer with those who did not have epidural analgesia at all or who had it for less than 2 days., Study Design: We analyzed 182 patients, 7 of whom were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups; 90 patients (51%) with epidural analgesia for at least 2 days (epidural group) and 85 patients (49%) who did not have epidural analgesia or had it for less than 2 days (no epidural group). To identify prognostic factors for pneumonia, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed., Results: There were no notable differences in clinicopathologic characteristics or intraoperative measurements. In favor of the epidural group, marked differences were found in pneumonia (28% versus 48%, p = 0.005), reintubation (17% versus 34%, p = 0.011), ICU-stay (median 2.8 versus 5.8 days, p = 0.001), hospital stay (median 17 versus 21 days, p = 0.015), and in-hospital mortality (0 versus 8 patients, p = 0.003). No epidural analgesia (odds ratio [OR] 2.48, 95% CI 1.30 to 4.71, p = 0.006) and atelectasis (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.08 to 3.90, p = 0.028) were independent predictors for pneumonia. There were eight in-hospital deaths., Conclusions: No epidural analgesia for more than 2 days after a transthoracic esophageal cancer resection is associated with increased postoperative morbidity. To optimize postoperative recovery, it is of vital importance to ensure adequate epidural analgesia in these patients.

This study analyzes the change in the management of biliary leakage after hepaticojejunostomy. Between 1993 and 2003 all patients (n = 1033) were studied with a hepaticojejunostomy as part of a pancreatoduodenectomy (n = 486), proximal bile duct resection (without liver resection) (n = 35), and biliodigestive bypass for malignant (n = 302) and benign (n = 210) disease. Biliary leakage was defined as the presence of bile-stained fluid (>50 mL) in the abdominal drain more than 24 hours after surgery, proven radiologically or at relaparotomy. The studied patients were divided into two equal periods to analyze the change in management. Overall, 24 of 1033 patients (2.3%) had biliary leakage. In multivariate analysis, a body mass index greater than 35 kg/m2 (P = .012), endoscopic biliary drainage (P = .044), and an anastomosis on the segmental bile ducts (P < .001) were independent predictors of leakage. Management in the first half of the study period (1993-1998) versus the second half (1999-2003) was maintenance of operatively placed drains (18% vs. 15%, respectively, P = 1.000), percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (18% vs. 69%, respectively, P = .012), surgical drainage (55% vs. 8%, respectively, P = .023), and re-hepaticojejunostomy (9% vs. 8%, respectively, P = 1.000). There was no mortality in the patients with biliary leakage. Leakage after a hepaticojejunostomy is a relatively rare complication without mortality and can safely be managed with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage.