Efficacy of venous reconstruction in patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head

J Gastrointest Surg. 2003 Dec;7(8):1089-95. doi: 10.1016/j.gassur.2003.07.010.

Abstract

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is often avoided in patients with portal or superior mesenteric venous involvement due to the perception that venous resection is complex, morbid, and carries a poor long-term survival. Our recent experience using state-of-the-art imaging and strict resection criteria show that venous reconstruction increases operative time, transfusion requirements, intensive care unit stay, and total hospital length of stay, but has no significant impact on operative morbidity rates, mortality rates, or the incidence of positive histologic margins. Kalpan-Meier life table analysis shows similar survival curves when compared to a contemporary cohort of patients who do not undergo venous reconstruction.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mesenteric Veins / pathology
  • Mesenteric Veins / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Pancreaticoduodenectomy / methods*
  • Portal Vein / pathology
  • Portal Vein / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / methods*