[Lymph node resection for carcinoma of the pancreas]

Several factors argue for extended lymphadenectomy in surgery for pancreatic adenocarcinoma: 1) lymph node extension is an adverse prognostic factor; 2) some tumor recurrences are only loco-regional suggesting that initial resection was insufficient; 3) some retrospective studies suggest that extension of lymphadenectomy improves post-resection survival. Extended lymphadenectomy, including circumferential dissection of both the celiac axis and the superior mesenteric artery and resection of para-aortic nodes, was evaluated by 4 randomized trials; globally there was no survival benefit. Extended lymphadenectomy increases, at least transiently, the risk of post-operative diarrhea. Its influence on the rate of loco-regional recurrences has not been evaluated. However, this technique should not be definitively and globally precluded since a more radical resection was associated with a trend toward better long-term survival in the trial with the largest number of patients.