Standard versus extended lymphadenectomy in radical surgical treatment for pancreatic head carcinoma

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of extended lymphadenectomy in pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and to estimate its impact on long-term survival in patients with pancreatic head carcinoma. Secondary endpoints included perioperative mortality, postoperative morbidity and predictors of survival in patients undergoing standard versus extended lymphadenectomy for pancreatic head carcinoma.

From January 2007 to December 2010, 60 patients with potentially resectable pancreatic head carcinoma were operated using pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) at the Clinic for Digestive Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade. Intraoperatively patients were randomly stratified into two groups: the first group (N1=30) underwent PPPD with standard lymphadenectomy whilst the second group (N2=30) was operated with PPPD with extended lymphadenectomy. None of the patients received adjuvant treatments.

The number of retrieved lymph nodes, mean operating time and postoperative hospital stay were greater in patients with extended lymphadenectomy . Cox regression analysis showed that stage and lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors for survival.

Extended lymphadenectomy in PPPD did not improve long-term survival in patients with resectable pancreatic head carcinoma and led to comparable and similar morbidity and mortality rates to those after standard lymphadenectomy.