Koichi Aiura1, Masahiro Shinoda, Ryo Nishiyama. 1. Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi 35, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan. aiurako@sc.itc.keio.ac.jp
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ampullary tumors have to be completely resected, but substantial morbidity and mortality rates are associated with pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Local resection can be the procedure of choice in selected ampullary lesions for high-risk patients. METHODS: Preoperative examination indicated that the ampullary tumor extended into the common bile duct without evidence of pancreatic duct involvement and no definite invasion into either the duodenum or the pancreas. We performed a complete resection of the extrahepatic bile duct and the ampulla of Vater, including the tumor, without performing PD by dissecting the intrapancreatic bile duct from the pancreas both downward towards the ampulla of Vater and upward using a transduodenal approach. RESULTS: The operation was successfully completed, and the postoperative course was uneventful, with the exception of a minor pancreatic fistula from retropancreatic dissection. The final pathological examination demonstrated well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma limited to the mucosa with negative surgical margins. CONCLUSION: Complete resection of the extrahepatic bile duct and the ampulla of Vater through a transduodenal approach can be a feasible and safe surgical procedure for selected ampullary tumors in high-risk patients.
BACKGROUND: Ampullary tumors have to be completely resected, but substantial morbidity and mortality rates are associated with pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Local resection can be the procedure of choice in selected ampullary lesions for high-risk patients. METHODS: Preoperative examination indicated that the ampullary tumor extended into the common bile duct without evidence of pancreatic duct involvement and no definite invasion into either the duodenum or the pancreas. We performed a complete resection of the extrahepatic bile duct and the ampulla of Vater, including the tumor, without performing PD by dissecting the intrapancreatic bile duct from the pancreas both downward towards the ampulla of Vater and upward using a transduodenal approach. RESULTS: The operation was successfully completed, and the postoperative course was uneventful, with the exception of a minor pancreatic fistula from retropancreatic dissection. The final pathological examination demonstrated well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma limited to the mucosa with negative surgical margins. CONCLUSION: Complete resection of the extrahepatic bile duct and the ampulla of Vater through a transduodenal approach can be a feasible and safe surgical procedure for selected ampullary tumors in high-risk patients.