Pancreatectomy with Para-Aortic Lymph Node Dissection for Pancreatic Head Adenocarcinoma: Pattern of Nodal Metastasis Spread and Analysis of Prognostic Factors

Background: This study investigated the prognostic impact of the exact location of nodal metastases in a subgroup of patients who underwent pancreatectomy with extended lymphadenectomy for head adenocarcinoma, with a special focus on station 16b1. Methods: Clinical, pathologic, and follow-up details were extracted from our database and analyzed retrospectively. Survival analysis was performed using univariate and multivariate models. We also performed a matched case-control analysis with resected patients who did not receive extended lymphadenectomy and with locally advanced patients. Results: The study population consisted of 67 patients. The rate of station 16b1 metastases was 20.9 %. Station 14a-b metastases (OR = 4.28), G3 tumors (OR = 4.03), and number of PLN ≥ 8 (OR = 4.46) were independently associated with station 16b1 involvement. Among pN1 patients, station 14a-b (HR = 2.60) and station 16b1 metastases (HR = 2.40) were predictors of survival. The median disease-specific survival of 16b1+ patients was 17 months (95 % CI 8.47–25.52). In the matched case-control analysis, the survival rates of resected 16b1+ patients was in between pN1/16b1− patients and locally advanced patients. Conclusions: Metastases to station 16b1 are associated with a decreased survival in comparison with pN1/16b1− patients, yet longer than in matched locally advanced patients. Station 14 can be considered as a “junctional node” to station 16b1.