Surgical management of high-grade pancreatic injuries: Insights from a high-volume pancreaticobiliary specialty unit

BACKGROUND The management of high-grade pancreatic trauma is controversial.AIM To review our single-institution experience on the surgical management of blunt and penetrating pancreatic injuries.METHODS A retrospective review of records was performed on all patients undergoing surgical intervention for high-grade pancreatic injuries [American Association for the Surgery of Trauma(AAST) Grade Ⅲor greater] at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney between January 2001 and December 2022. Morbidity and mortality outcomes were reviewed, and major diagnostic and operative challenges were identified.RESULTS Over a twenty-year period, 14 patients underwent pancreatic resection for highgrade injuries. Seven patients sustained AAST Grade Ⅲinjuries and 7 were classified as Grades Ⅳ or Ⅴ. Nine underwent distal pancreatectomy and 5 underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD). Overall, there was a predominance of blunt aetiologies(11/14). Concomitant intra-abdominal injuries were observed in 11 patients and traumatic haemorrhage in 6 patients. Three patients developed clinically relevant pancreatic fistulas and there was one in-hospital mortality secondary to multi-organ failure. Among stable presentations, pancreatic ductal injuries were missed in two-thirds of cases(7/12) on initial computed tomography imaging and subsequently diagnosed on repeat imaging or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. All patients who sustained complex pancreaticoduodenal trauma underwent PD without mortality. The management of pancreatic trauma is evolving. Our experience provides valuable and locally relevant insights into future management strategies.CONCLUSION We advocate that high-grade pancreatic trauma should be managed in high-volume hepatopancreato-biliary specialty surgical units. Pancreatic resections including PD may be indicated and safely performed with appropriate specialist surgical, gastroenterology, and interventional radiology support in tertiary centres.

Drain fluid biomarkers for prediction and diagnosis of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula:A narrative review

Clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula(CR-POPF)has continued to compromise patient recovery post-pancreatectomy despite decades of research seeking to improve risk prediction and diagnosis.The current diagnostic criteria for CR-POPF requires elevated drain fluid amylase to present alongside POPFrelated complications including infection,haemorrhage and organ failure.These worrying sequelae necessitate earlier and easily obtainable biomarkers capable of reflecting evolving CR-POPF.Drain fluid has recently emerged as a promising source of biomarkers as it is derived from the pancreas and hence,capable of reflecting its postoperative condition.The present review aims to summarise the current knowledge of CR-POPF drain fluid biomarkers and identify gaps in the field to invigorate future research in this critical area of clinical need.These findings may provide robust diagnostic alternatives for CR-POPF and hence,to clarify their clinical utility require further reports detailing their diagnostic and/or predictive accuracy.

Robotic versus open transversus abdominis release and incisional hernia repair: A case-control study

Objective:Transversus abdominus release(TAR)is often required to achieve apposition of the rectus muscles and achieve wide mesh reinforcement of the abdominal wall.Traditionally,TAR has been done with an open technique(oTAR),and the benefits of the newer robotic approach(rTAR)has not been well established in the Australian setting.The aim of this study was to compare the results of oTAR with rTAR to demonstrate its safety and efficacy.Methods:A retrospective review of patients who underwent rTAR and oTAR at two tertiary hospitals was conducted between January 2018 and January 2020 in New South Wales,Australia.Patient demographics,perioperative and postoperative outcomes were compared in both groups.Results:There were 26 patients identified to have undergone TAR(13 rTAR,13 oTAR).Both groups were comparable in regards to age,sex and defect size.oTAR was associated with a higher American Society of Anaesthesiologist score.rTAR was associated with significantly longer average operative time(260.0±78.9 min vs.185.7±64.5 min,p=0.017)but found to have a significantly shorter length of stay(3.6±2.1 d vs.6.9±3.6 d,p=0.007)with a comparable complication rate.Conclusions:rTAR is associated with shorter length of hospital stay with comparable postoperative outcomes when compared to oTAR.We are seeing increasing evidence supporting the safety and benefits of robotics,however larger scale studies are required to fully understand this approach.