Rescue from complications after pancreaticoduodenectomies at a low-volume Caribbean center:Value of tailored peri-pancreatectomy protocols

BACKGROUND Pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD)is a technically complex operation,with a re-latively high risk for complications.The ability to rescue patients from post-PD complications is as a recognized quality measure.Tailored protocols were instituted at our low volume facility in the year 2013.AIM To document the rate of rescue from post-PD complications with tailored protocols in place as a measure of quality.METHODS A retrospective audit was performed to collect data from patients who experienced major post-PD complications at a low volume pancreatic surgery unit in Trinidad and Tobago between January 1,2013 and June 30,2023.Stan-dardized definitions from the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery were used to define post-PD complications,and the modified Clavien-Dindo classification was used to classify post-PD complications.RESULTS Over the study period,113 patients at a mean age of 57.5 years(standard deviation[SD]±9.23;range:30-90;median:56)underwent PDs at this facility.Major complications were recorded in 33(29.2%)patients at a mean age of 53.8 years(SD:±7.9).Twenty-nine(87.9%)patients who experienced major morbidity were salvaged after aggre-ssive treatment of their complication.Four(3.5%)died from bleeding pseudoaneurysm(1),septic shock secondary to a bile leak(1),anastomotic leak(1),and myocardial infarction(1).There was a significantly greater salvage rate in patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists scores≤2(93.3%vs 25%;P=0.0024).CONCLUSION This paper adds to the growing body of evidence that volume alone should not be used as a marker of quality for patients requiring PD.Despite low volumes at our facility,we demonstrated that 87.9%of patients were rescued from major complications.We attributed this to several factors including development of rescue protocols,the competence of the pancreatic surgery teams and continuous,and adaptive learning by the entire institution,cul-minating in the development of tailored peri-pancreatectomy protocols.

Whipple’s operation with a modified centralization concept:A model in low-volume Caribbean centers

Conventional data suggest that complex operations,such as a pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD),should be limited to high volume centers.However,this is not practical in small,resource-poor countries in the Caribbean.In these settings,patients have no option but to have their PDs performed locally at low volumes,occasionally by general surgeons.In this paper,we review the evolution of the concept of the high-volume center and discuss the feasibility of applying this concept to low and middle-income nations.Specifically,we discuss a modification of this concept that may be considered when incorporating PD into low-volume and resource-poor countries,such as those in the Caribbean.This paper has two parts.First,we performed a literature review evaluating studies published on outcomes after PD in high volume centers.The data in the Caribbean is then examined and we discuss the incorporation of this operation into resource-poor hospitals with modifications of the centralization concept.In the authors’opinions,most patients who require PD in the Caribbean do not have realistic opportunities to have surgery in high-volume centers in developed countries.In these settings,their only options are to have their operations in the resource-poor,low-volume settings in the Caribbean.However,post-operative outcomes may be improved,despite low-volumes,if a modified centralization concept is encouraged.

Whipple’s pancreaticoduodenectomy at a resource-poor,low-volume center in Trinidad and Tobago

BACKGROUND Many authorities advocate for Whipple’s procedures to be performed in highvolume centers,but many patients in poor developing nations cannot access these centers.We sought to determine whether clinical outcomes were acceptable when Whipple’s procedures were performed in a low-volume,resource-poor setting in the West Indies.AIM To study outcomes of Whipple’s procedures in a pancreatic unit in the West Indies over an eight-year period from June 1,2013 to June 30,2021.METHODS This was a retrospective study of all patients undergoing Whipple’s procedures in a pancreatic unit in the West Indies over an eight-year period from June 1,2013 to June 30,2021.RESULTS This center performed an average of 11.25 procedures per annum.There were 72 patients in the final study population at a mean age of 60.2 years,with 52.7%having American Society of Anesthesiologists scores≥III and 54.1%with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores≥2.Open Whipple’s procedures were performed in 70 patients and laparoscopic assisted procedures in 2.Portal vein resection/reconstruction was performed in 19(26.4%)patients.In patients undergoing open procedures there was 367±54.1 min mean operating time,1394±656.8 mL mean blood loss,5.24±7.22 d mean intensive care unit stay and 15.1±9.53 d hospitalization.Six(8.3%)patients experienced minor morbidity,10(14%)major morbidity and there were 4(5.5%)deaths.CONCLUSION This paper adds to the growing body of evidence that volume alone should not be used as a marker of quality for patients requiring Whipple’s procedures.Low volume centers in resource poor nations can achieve good short-term outcomes.This is largely due to the process of continuous,adaptive learning by the entire hospital.

Review of minimally invasive pancreas surgery and opinion on its incorporation into low volume and resource poor centres

Pancreatic surgery has been one of the last areas for the application of minimally invasive surgery(MIS)because there are many factors that make laparoscopic pancreas resections difficult.The concept of service centralization has also limited expertise to a small cadre of high-volume centres in resource rich countries.However,this is not the environment that many surgeons in developing countries work in.These patients often do not have the opportunity to travel to high volume centres for care.Therefore,we sought to review the existing data on MIS for the pancreas and to discuss.In this paper,we review the evolution of MIS on the pancreas and discuss the incorporation of this service into low-volume and resource-poor countries,such as those in the Caribbean.This paper has two parts.First,we performed a literature review evaluating all studies published on laparoscopic and robotic surgery of the pancreas.The data in the Caribbean is examined and we discuss tips for incorporating this operation into resource poor hospital practice.Low pancreatic case volume in the Caribbean,and financial barriers to MIS in general,laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy,enucleation and cystogastrostomy are feasible operations to integrate in to a resource-limited healthcare environment.This is because they can be performed with minimal to no consumables and require an intermediate MIS skillset to complement an open pancreatic surgeon’s peri-operative experience.

Anatomic variations of the intra-hepatic biliary tree in the Caribbean:A systematic review

BACKGROUND In the classic descriptions of the human liver,the common hepatic duct forms at the confluence of left and right hepatic ducts.Many authors have documented variations in the intra-hepatic ductal system,but to the best of our knowledge there has been no report on bile duct variations in Caribbean populations.AIM To evaluate the variations in bile duct anatomy using magnetic resonance cholangiography(MRC)in unselected patients at a major hepatobiliary referral centre in the Eastern Caribbean.Knowledge of the intra-hepatic biliary anatomy is important to optimize service delivery for any physician treating liver and biliary disorders.METHODS This study was carried out at a tertiary referral hospital for hepatobiliary diseases in the Eastern Caribbean.We retrospectively evaluated magnetic resonance cholangiograms in 152 consecutive patients at this facility over a two-year period from April 1,2017 to March 31,2019.Two consultant radiologists experienced in MRC interpretation reviewed all scans and described biliary anatomy according to the Huang’s classification.A systematic review of published studies was performed and relevant data were extracted in order to calculate the global prevalence of each biliary variant.The variants in our population were compared to the global population.RESULTS There were 152 MRCs evaluated in this study in 86 males and 66 females.There were 109(71.7%)persons with“classic”biliary anatomy(type A1)and variants were present in 43(28.3%)persons.There was no statistical relationship between the presence of anatomic variants and gender or ethnicity.We encountered the following variants:29(19.1%)type A2,7(4.6%)type A3,6(3.95%)type A4,0 type A5 and a single variant(quadrification)that did not fit the classification system.Compared to the global prevalence,our population had a significantly greater occurrence of A1 anatomy(71.7%vs 62.6%;P=0.0227)and A2 trifurcations(19.1%vs 11.5%;P=0.0069),but a significantly lower incidence of A3 variants(4.61%vs 11.5%;P=0.0047).CONCLUSION There are significant differences in intra-hepatic biliary anatomy in this unselected Eastern Caribbean population compared to global statistics.Specifically,persons of Caribbean descent have a greater incidence of Huang A2 trifurcations and a lower incidence of Huang A3 variants.

Surgical relevance of anatomic variations of the right hepatic vein

BACKGROUND Variations in the anatomy of hepatic veins are of interest to transplant surgeons,interventional radiologists,and other medical practitioners who treat liver diseases.The drainage patterns of the right hepatic veins(RHVs)are particularly relevant to transplantation services.AIM The aim was to identify variations of the patterns of venous drainage from the right side of the liver.To the best of our knowledge,there have been no reports on RHV variations in in a Caribbean population.METHODS Two radiologists independently reviewed 230 contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans performed in 1 year at a hepatobiliary referral center.Venous outflow patterns were observed and RHV variants were described as:(1)Tributaries of the RHV;(2)Variations at the hepatocaval junction(HCJ);and(3)Accessory RHVs.RESULTS A total of 118 scans met the inclusion criteria.Only 39%of the scans found conventional anatomy of the main hepatic veins.Accessory RHVs were present 49.2%and included a well-defined inferior RHV draining segment VI(45%)and a middle RHV(4%).At the HCJ,83 of the 118(70.3%)had a superior RHV that received no tributaries within 1 cm of the junction(Nakamura and Tsuzuki type I).In 35 individuals(29.7%)there was a short superior RHV with at least one variant tributary.According to the Nakamura and Tsuzuki classification,there were 24 type II variants(20.3%),six type III variants(5.1%)and,five type IV variants(4.2%).CONCLUSION There was significant variation in RHV patterns in this population,each with important relevance to liver surgery.Interventional radiologists and hepatobiliary surgeons practicing in the Caribbean must be cognizant of these differences in order to minimize morbidity during invasive procedures.