Objective: To describe outcome after pancreatic surgery in the first 6 years of a mandatory nationwide audit. Background: Within the Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Group, efforts have been made to improve outcome after pancreatic surgery. These include collaborative projects, clinical auditing, and implementation of an algorithm for early recognition and management of postoperative complications. However, nationwide changes in outcome over time have not yet been described. Methods: This nationwide cohort study included consecutive patients after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) and distal pancreatectomy from the mandatory Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Audit (January 2014–December 2019). Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics were compared between 3 time periods (2014–2015, 2016–2017, and 2018–2019). Short-term surgical outcome was investigated using multilevel multivariable logistic regression analyses. Primary endpoints were failure to rescue (FTR) and in-hospital mortality. Results: Overall, 5345 patients were included, of whom 4227 after PD and 1118 after distal pancreatectomy. After PD, FTR improved from 13% to 7.4% [odds ratio (OR) 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50–0.80, P<0.001] and in-hospital mortality decreased from 4.1% to 2.4% (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.54–0.86, P=0.001), despite operating on more patients with age >75 years (18%–22%, P=0.006), American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≥3 (19%–31%, P<0.001) and Charlson comorbidity score ≥2 (24%–34%, P<0.001). The rates of textbook outcome (57%–55%, P=0.283) and major complications remained stable (31%–33%, P=0.207), whereas complication-related intensive care admission decreased (13%–9%, P=0.002). After distal pancreatectomy, improvements in FTR from 8.8% to 5.9% (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.30–1.37, P=0.253) and in-hospital mortality from 1.6% to 1.3% (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.45–1.72, P=0.711) were not statistically significant. Conclusions: During the first 6 years of a nationwide audit, in-hospital mortality and FTR after PD improved despite operating on more high-risk patients. Several collaborative efforts may have contributed to these improvements.

Outcome of Pancreatic Surgery During the First 6 Years of a Mandatory Audit Within the Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Group

http://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140673622018967/pdf

Reconsidering the COVID-19 vaccine strategy in West and Central Africa

The need for a common education and training track in surgical oncology across Europe has been emphasized. ESSO provides several hands-on courses for skills training and face-to-face discussions. The core curriculum provides a framework for the overall theoretical requirements in surgical oncology. The UEMS/EBSQ fellowship exam is designed to test core competencies in the candidate's core knowledge in their prespecified area of expertise. A core set of points for each cancer type is lacking. Hence, a condensed outline of themed expected to be covered in the curriculum and relevant to an optimal practice in surgical oncology is provided. This article outlines pancreatic cancer. 

Pancreatic cancer.

Rescue pancreatectomy for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is associated with high mortality. However, in-depth literature is scarce and hard to interpret. This study aimed to evaluate the indications, timing and perioperative outcomes of rescue pancreatectomy for severe POPF after PD.Retrospective single-centre study from all consecutive patients (2008-2020) with POPF-C after PD (ISGPS 2016 definition). Major morbidity and mortality during hospitalization or within 90 days after index surgery were evaluated. Time from index surgery to rescue pancreatectomy was dichotomized in early and late (≤ 11 versus > 11 days).From 1076 PDs performed, POPF-B/C occurred in 190 patients (17.7%) of whom 53 patients (4.9%) with POPF-C were included. Mortality after early rescue pancreatectomy did not differ significantly compared to late rescue pancreatectomy (13.6% versus 35.3%; p = 0.142). Timing of a rescue pancreatectomy did not change significantly during the study period: 11 (IQR, 8-14) (2008-2012) versus 14 (IQR, 7-33) (2013-2016) versus 8 days (IQR, 6-11) (2017-2020) (p = 0.140). Over time, the mortality in patients with POPF grade C decreased from 43.5% in 2008-2012 to 31.6% in 2013-2016 up to 0% in 2017-2020 (p = 0.014). However, mortality rates after rescue pancreatectomy did not differ significantly: 31.3% (2008-2012) versus 28.6% (2013-2016) versus 0% (2017-2020) (p = 0.104).Rescue pancreatectomy for severe POPF is associated with high mortality, but an earlier timing might favourably influence the mortality. Hypothetically, this could be of value for pre-existent vulnerable patients. These findings must be carefully interpreted considering the sample sizes and differences among subgroups by patient selection. 

/pdf/surgical-management-of-severe-pancreatic-fistula-after-2bnpntwp.pdf

Surgical management of severe pancreatic fistula after pancreatoduodenectomy: a comparison of early versus late rescue pancreatectomy

Abdominal infections account for substantial morbidity after pancreatoduodenectomy. Contaminated bile is the presumed main risk factor, and prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis might prevent these complications. This study compared organ/space infection (OSIs) rates in patients receiving perioperative versus prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis after pancreatoduodenectomy.Patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy in two Dutch centers between 2016 and 2019 were included. Perioperative prophylaxis was compared prolonged prophylaxis (cefuroxime and metronidazole for five days). The primary outcome was an isolated OSI: an abdominal infection without concurrent anastomotic leakage. Odds ratios (OR) were adjusted for surgical approach and pancreatic duct diameter.OSIs occurred in 137 out of 362 patients (37.8%): 93 patients with perioperative and 44 patients with prolonged prophylaxis (42.5% versus 30.8%, P = 0.025). Isolated OSIs occurred in 38 patients (10.5%): 28 patients with perioperative and 10 patients with prolonged prophylaxis (12.8% versus 7.0%, P = 0.079). Bile cultures were obtained in 198 patients (54.7%). Patients with positive bile cultures showed higher isolated OSI rates with perioperative compared to prolonged prophylaxis (18.2% versus 6.6%, OR 5.7, 95% CI: 1.3-23.9).Prolonged antibiotics after pancreatoduodenectomy are associated with fewer isolated OSIs in patients with contaminated bile and warrant confirmation in a randomised controlled trial (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT0578431). 

Prolonged antibiotics after pancreatoduodenectomy reduce abdominal infections in patients with positive bile cultures: a dual-center cohort study.

Algorithm-based care versus usual care for the early recognition and management of complications after pancreatic resection in the Netherlands: an open-label, nationwide, stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial

Objectives Stent grafts for endovascular repair of infrarenal aneurysms are commercially available for aortic necks up to 32 mm in diameter. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of endovascular repair with large thoracic stent grafts in the infrarenal position to obtain adequate proximal seal in wider necks. Methods All patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair using thoracic stent grafts with diameters greater than 36 mm between 2012 and 2016 were included. Follow-up consisted of CT angiography after six weeks and annual duplex thereafter. Results Eleven patients with wide infrarenal aortic necks received endovascular repair with thoracic stent grafts. The median diameter of the aneurysms was 60 mm (range 52-78 mm) and the median aortic neck diameter was 37 mm (range 28-43 mm). Thoracic stent grafts were oversized by a median of 14% (range 2-43%). On completion angiography, one type I and two type II endoleaks were observed but did not require reintervention. One patient experienced graft migration with aneurysm sac expansion and needed conversion to open repair. Median follow-up time was 14 months (range 2-53 months), during which three patients died, including one aneurysm-related death. Conclusions Endovascular repair using thoracic stent grafts for patients with wide aortic necks is feasible. In these patients, the technique may be a reasonable alternative to complex endovascular repair with fenestrated, branched, or chimney grafts. However, more experience and longer follow-up are required to determine its position within the endovascular armamentarium.

J. G. A. M. Blomjous

Papers

Algorithm-based care versus usual care for the early recognition and management of complications after pancreatic resection in the Netherlands: an open-label, nationwide, stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial

The use of thoracic stent grafts for endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.