Pancreatectomy with venous resection for pT3 head adenocarcinoma: Perioperative outcomes, recurrence pattern and prognostic implications of histologically confirmed vascular infiltration

Background The outcomes of pancreatectomy with superior mesenteric vein (SMV) or portal vein (PV) resection have been mixed. This study investigated the morbidity and mortality profile after SMV-PV resection in comparison with standard pancreatectomy. Furthermore, we assessed whether tumors with histologically proven SMV-PV infiltration differ from other pT3 neoplasms in terms of recurrence pattern and survival. Methods All patients with a pT3 head adenocarcinoma resected from 2000 to 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. In the SMV-PV resection group, information on venous wall status was obtained through pathologic reports. Standard statistical methods were used for data analysis. Results The study population consisted of 651 patients, of whom 81 (12.4%) underwent synchronous SMV-PV resection. Venous resection was not associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications (60.5% versus 50.2%) and mortality (1.2% versus 1.1%) in comparison with standard pancreatectomy. Vascular infiltration was confirmed pathologically in 56/81 patients (69.1%). The median disease-specific survival of the entire population was 27 months (95% CI 24.6–29.3), with a 5-year survival rate of 20.5%. The median recurrence-free survival was 18 months (95% CI 15.0–20.9). On multivariate analysis, ASA score, preoperative pain, Ca 19-9 levels, tumor grade, R-status, lymph-vascular invasion, N-status, and adjuvant therapy resulted to be survival predictors. Similarly, Ca 19.9 levels, R-status, and N-status were predictors of recurrence. SMV-PV infiltration was not a significant prognostic factor. Conclusion Morbidity and mortality rates of pancreatectomy with SMV-PV resection are comparable with standard pancreatectomy. Pancreatic head adenocarcinoma with histologically confirmed SMV-PV infiltration does not segregate prognostically from other pT3 tumors.