Distal pancreas-coeliac axis resection with preoperative selective embolization of the coeliac axis: a single...

Patients with ductal adenocarcinoma in the body and/or tail of the pancreas with involvement of the common hepatic artery and/or celiac axis have until recently been considered unresectable. In selected cases, distal pancreatectomy (DP) with en bloc celiac axis resection (DP-CAR) may be an option to achieve R0 resection.

Patients with tumours in the body and/or tail of the pancreas locally advanced with involvement of the common hepatic artery and/or celiac axis, with no distant metastases, were evaluated for DP-CAR procedures. Preoperative embolization was performed 10-14 days prior to surgery to enhance collateral arterial supply for the liver and stomach.

A total of 21 patients went through DP-CAR of whom 15 were preoperatively embolized. R0 resection vas achieved in 76% of the patients comparable to our standard distal pancreatectomies. The DP-CAR patients had a significant longer postoperative hospital stay, but no difference in major complications, including pancreatic fistulas compared with our standard distal pancreatectomies. No 30 nor 90 days postoperative mortality were recorded. Median survival in patients who underwent DP and DP-CAR procedures was 24.0 and 23.5 months, respectively (P > 0.5).

Outcomes after DP-CAR are comparable to standard distal pancreatectomies. DP-CAR after preoperative embolization is feasible and may in selected patients be a good option for treating patients with tumours in the body and/or tail of the pancreas with central arterial involvement.