Current role of hepatopancreatoduodenectomy for the management of gallbladder cancer and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Hepatopancreatoduodenectomy(HPD)is the simultaneous combination of hepatic resection,pancreaticoduodenectomy,and resection of the entire extrahepatic biliary system.HPD is not a universally accepted due to high mortality and morbidity rates,as well as to controversial survival benefits.AIM To evaluate the current role of HPD for curative treatment of gallbladder cancer(GC)or extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ECC)invading both the hepatic hilum and the intrapancreatic common bile duct.METHODS A systematic literature search using the PubMed,Web of Science,and Scopus databases was performed to identify studies reporting on HPD,using the following keywords:‘Hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy’,‘hepatopancreatoduodenectomy’,‘hepatopancreatectomy’,‘pancreaticoduodenectomy’,‘hepatectomy’,‘hepatic resection’,‘liver resection’,‘Whipple procedure’,‘bile duct cancer’,‘gallbladder cancer’,and‘cholangiocarcinoma’.RESULTS This updated systematic review,focusing on 13 papers published between 2015 and 2020,found that rates of morbidity for HPD have remained high,ranging between 37.0%and 97.4%,while liver failure and pancreatic fistula are the most serious complications.However,perioperative mortality for HPD has decreased compared to initial experiences,and varies between 0%and 26%,although in selected center it is well below 10%.Long term survival outcomes can be achieved in selected patients with R0 resection,although 5–year survival is better for ECC than GC.CONCLUSION The present review supports the role of HPD in patients with GC and ECC with horizontal spread involving the hepatic hilum and the intrapancreatic bile duct,provided that it is performed in centers with high experience in hepatobiliarypancreatic surgery.Extensive use of preoperative portal vein embolization,and preoperative biliary drainage in patients with obstructive jaundice,represent strategies for decreasing the occurrence and severity of postoperative complications.It is advisable to develop internationally-accepted protocols for patient selection,preoperative assessment,operative technique,and perioperative care,in order to better define which patients would benefit from HPD.

How the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the colorectal cancer screening in Italy:A minireview

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has caused detrimental effects on many aspects of healthcare practice.Screening programs for the commonest malignancies,namely colorectal cancer(CRC),breast cancer and cervical cancer have been discontinued or interrupted since the beginning of restriction measures aimed to limit transmission of the new coronavirus infection.Robust evidence exists in favour of the role of screening campaigns in reducing mortality from CRC.In fact,the majority of pre-malignant lesions of the colon and rectum can be diagnosed with colonoscopy and treated by endoscopic or surgical resection.Besides,colonoscopy screening allows the diagnosis of CRCs in their pre-clinical stage.Italy was one of the first European countries where a high level of COVID-19 infections and deaths was observed,and one of the first where lockdowns and strict measures were adopted to reduce the risk of COVID-19 diffusion among the population.A systematic review of the literature was performed,including the PubMed,Scopus,Web of Sciences,and Reference Citation Analysis databases,with the aim of critically evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CRC screening in Italy.We found that reduction of CRC screening activity surpassed 50%in most endoscopic units,with almost 600000 fewer CRC screening exams conducted in the first 5 mo of 2020 vs the same period of 2019.While the consequences of the discontinuation of endoscopy screening for the prognosis and mortality of CRC will be evident in the next few years,recent data confirm that CRC is currently treated at a more advanced stage than in the pre-COVID-19 era.Since delays in CRC prevention and early diagnosis may translate to increased CRC-specific mortality,world healthcare systems should adopt strategies to maintain the regularity of CRC screening during subsequent peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic,or future events that might hamper screening programs.