Distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac axis resection (DP-CAR) and arterial reconstruction: Techniques and...

Ischemic complications are still prevalent after distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac axis resection (DP-CAR) despite the use of preoperative arterial embolization. We described our institutional experience with arterial reconstruction during DP-CAR.

We retrospectively reviewed short- and long-term outcomes of all DP-CAR performed for pancreatic adenocarcinoma between January 1, 1995 and March 30, 2020. Outcomes were compared according to the presence of arterial reconstruction.

Sixty consecutive DP-CARs were reviewed. Most patients underwent induction chemotherapy (85%) based on FOLFIRINOX protocol (80.3%). The hepatic artery was reconstructed in 50 patients (83.3%). The left gastric artery was reconstructed in 4 and preserved in 14 patients. A venous resection was associated during 44 DP-CARs (36 segmental venous resections/8 lateral venous resections). Ninety days mortality was 5.0% with 48.3% (n = 29) overall rate of morbidity. Postoperative outcomes in term of mortality, morbidity, and ischemic events between patients with and without arterial reconstruction were similar despite a higher rate of venous resection (81% vs. 40%; p = 0.005) and more complex cases (Mayo clinic DP-CARs class 1B, 2A, and 3A) in the reconstructed group.

Arterial reconstruction represents a safe surgical option during DP-CAR to lessen postoperative ischemic events. This technique, reserved to high volume centers expert in vascular resection during pancreatectomy, deserves further comparison with standard technique in a larger setting.