Distal Pancreatectomy with Celiac Axis Resection (DP-CAR) for Pancreatic Cancer. How I do It

Recent studies have shown improved survival in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant therapy with FOLFIRINOX19‐21 or gemcitabine-based combinations (e.g., S-1 or nab-paclitaxel)22‐25 when compared to upfront surgery or gemcitabine monotherapy. Neoadjuvant therapy is also an established strategy to assess tumor biology. In the scenario where the tumor has progressed prior to preoperative chemotherapy, the risk of mortality associated with DP-CAR probably outweighs the survival benefit. Given the current evidence, we recommend 2 to 4 months of FOLFIRINOX induction chemotherapy prior to re-staging for DP-CAR. Gemcitabine-based combination therapy is a suitable alternative in patients who do not tolerate FOLFIRINOX. If, at re-staging, the tumor is RECIST26 stable or even regressive and serum CA 19-9 levels have decreased by at least 30–50%,27‐29 patients are eligible for DP-CAR. See Fig. 2.

Clear evidence on the effectiveness of preoperative embolization of the common hepatic artery for DP-CAR is lacking.5,6 Two (WMU, Amsterdam UMC) of the seven centers routinely perform preoperative embolization (i.e., coiling) of the common hepatic artery 2–3 weeks prior to surgery. The coils should be placed by an experienced intervention radiologist who can accurately assess if enough sufficient space remains between the coils and the origin of the gastroduodenal artery.10,11 Optionally, the left gastric artery is also coiled.10,12 This treatment is thought to improve collateral flow to the liver and stomach and reduce the rate of postoperative ischemia, at negligible risk of morbidity. In addition, the collateral flow can be assessed preoperatively to prevent futile operations in patients with insufficient flow. If the intention is to preserve the left gastric artery, only the hepatic artery should be coiled. The steps for procedures with and without preoperative artery embolization are presented schematically in Fig. 3.

First, the patient is placed in supine position. Staging laparoscopy is performed during the same procedure, to rule out peritoneal or liver metastases. If no metastases are found, a bilateral subcostal or midline laparotomy is performed, and the liver, peritoneum, and lesser sac are inspected once more for potential metastases. Then, an intra-abdominal ultrasound is optionally performed to confirm celiac axis involvement. It is important to assess the superior mesenteric artery, gastroduodenal artery, aorta, and porto-mesenteric vein by intra-abdominal ultrasound and/or frozen section as CT-/MRI-imaging and visual inspection may be unreliable due to residual inflammation after (FOLFIRINOX) chemotherapy. At this point, an extended DP-CAR could be considered by very experienced surgeons.

Second, Treitz’ ligament is dissected to assess the relation between the tumor and the superior mesenteric artery. An extended Kocher maneuver is performed to assess the inferior vena cava, aorta, and the origin of the celiac axis and superior mesenteric artery, both of which are encircled with vessel loops if technically possible. Again, the relation of the tumor with the superior mesenteric artery and celiac axis is assessed. The pancreas are encircled with vessel loops at the level of the neck, ventral to the portomesenteric vein. Lymph node station 8a (hepatic artery) is dissected as part of the routine lymphadenectomy. Then, the hepatic artery inspected and test-occluded using a bulldog clamp (if not coiled preoperatively), to assess the collateral flow to the liver via the proper hepatic artery with a Doppler probe. If there is adequate collateral flow, the common hepatic artery can later be transected 1 cm proximal to the gastroduodenal artery.

Third, the diaphragmatic crus is divided cranially to the celiac axis to clear its origin, the aorta and the left gastric artery. At this point, frozen section may be performed to confirm if the tumor involves the celiac axis and the left gastric artery. If the celiac axis is indeed involved, the hepatic artery is transected as well as the base of the celiac axis using vascular staplers, or suture and clip closure if the adequate distance for stapler positioning cannot be achieved. If the left gastric artery is not involved and its origin is very proximal to the aorta, it may be spared (Fig. 4). The pancreas are divided ventral to the portomesenteric vein using a stapler, surgical blade, or cautery device, similar to a regular distal pancreatectomy for cancer. The left gastric (i.e., coronary) vein and the splenic artery and vein are divided. It is important to preserve the right gastric and gastroepiploic arteries to reduce the risk of gastric ischemia. The dissection continues dorsally onto the superior mesenteric artery which should be freed of all nervous and lymphatic tissue on its left side.

Fourth, the remainder of the procedure follows the steps of a regular RAMPS procedure30 using the left renal vein as a landmark. This includes a medial to lateral resection of the anterior renal fascia (Gerota), pancreatic tail, short gastric vessels, and spleen. In an anterior RAMPS, the adrenal gland is left in situ, whereas in a posterior RAMPS, it is included in the resection. Lymphadenectomy is performed according to ISGPS recommendations31 and includes stations 11 (supra-pancreatic) and 18 (infra-pancreatic). Lymph station 10 is included in the splenectomy. Although optional, a (partial) portal vein resection (if limited involvement is detected perioperatively) may be carried out as a last step, as long as there is good exposure. If only the left lateral aspect of the portomesenteric confluence is involved, a peritoneal patch could be used.32 If not, a segmental resection and graft insertion (autologous vein or synthetic graft) are performed. The pancreatic head remnant typically prevents a tension-free end-to-end anastomosis, which is one of the reasons vascular resections are riskier in DP-CAR compared to standard pancreatoduodenectomy.

Finally, the left pancreas and spleen are removed together with the celiac axis. After confirming adequate flow through the proper hepatic artery, the abdomen is closed and a surgical drain is left in situ at the pancreatic cut margin with extra side holes at the left upper quadrant.

The robot-assisted approach should only be performed in experienced and very high volume robotic-HPB centers. It also relies on the most up-to-date and high-quality CT- or MRI-imaging. Similar to the open approach, a staging laparoscopy should be performed first. Next, the robot is docked (port set-up outlined elsewhere7), the omental bursa opened and the pancreas is tunneled, encircled with vessel loops, and divided using a robotic vascular stapler. The common hepatic artery is transected using a robotic vascular stapler. The dissection continues to identify the superior mesenteric artery, which is traced back to its origin to relocate the celiac axis. The robotic ultrasound should be used frequently to confirm the origins of both the superior mesenteric artery and the celiac axis. At this stage, the splenic artery and left gastric artery and vein are transected distally to their origin at the celiac axis, and medial lymphadenectomy is performed on the superior and right side of the celiac axis. The dissection continues from lateral to medial along the adrenal vein, lifting the spleno-pancreatic complex, including Gerota’s fascia, off of the retroperitoneum. If the portal vein is not involved at this stage, the splenic vein is divided. If it is, the spleno-portal vein resection is performed lastly. Finally, lymphadenectomy of the right side of the celiac axis is performed and the remainder of the celiac axis is transected at its origin using the endovascular linear stapler. The specimens are extracted via a Pfannenstiel incision and a surgical drain is left in situ.

A postoperative enhanced recovery pathway33,34 is routinely followed. All patients should receive proton pump inhibitors for 6 months. Special attention should be paid to signs of gastric or hepatic ischemia (elevated liver enzymes or serum lactate levels, delayed gastric emptying, or ulcerations) or pancreatic fistula. When ischemia is suspected (abdominal pain, discomfort, abnormal liver enzymes), diagnostic endoscopy or CT-angiography should be considered. Otherwise, postoperative management and follow-up are similar to a regular distal pancreatectomy for cancer, including adjuvant therapy.