Outcomes of vascular resection in pancreaticoduodenectomy: single-surgeon experience

Extension of pancreatic adenocarcinoma into adjacent vasculature often necessitates resection of the portal vein (PV) and/or superior mesenteric vein (SMV) during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The vein is reconstructed primarily by end-to-end anastomosis of vein remnants or venoplasty or by use of autologous or synthetic vein grafts. The objective of this study was to review outcomes in patients undergoing PD for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, specifically comparing the short- and long-term outcomes between the patients undergoing vascular resection and those undergoing standard PD. All patients undergoing PD for pancreatic adenocarcinoma by a single surgeon between 2007 and 2012 were reviewed. Of the 61 patients identified, 18 patients underwent vascular resection of the PV (four patients), SMV (10 patients), or both (four patients). The remaining 43 patients had standard PD. Demographic, perioperative, pathological, and long-term outcomes data were collected and both vascular and standard groups were compared. Both groups had similar demographics. The vascular group had significantly longer operative times (529 vs 406 minutes; P < 0.01) with a trend to greater estimated blood loss (0.64 vs 0.53 L; P = 0.06). Pathological analysis showed no difference between the two groups with regard to lymph node status/ratio and rate of R0 resection (94 vs 91%; P = 0.57); however, the size of the tumor was significantly greater in the vascular group (4.2 vs 3 cm; P < 0.01). Short-term outcomes were similar in the vascular group and standard group, respectively, with no difference in pancreatic fistula rate (6 vs 7%; P = 1.0), transfusion rate (44 vs 35%; P = 0.57), and median length of stay (8 vs 7 days; P = 0.10), and there was no 30-day mortality in either group. Based on Kaplan-Meier methods, the median recurrence-free survival was 18 versus 23 months (P = 0.37) in the vascular and standard groups, respectively, and the overall survival was almost identical in both groups, each with a median of 31 months (P = 0.91). In our experience, mesenteric and PV resection during PD was performed safely and without compromise of short- or longer-term outcomes. It can be performed safely and patients have no significant difference in perioperative outcomes or overall survival.