Kota Nakamura1, Masayuki Sho2, Takahiro Akahori1, Minako Nagai1, Satoshi Nishiwada1, Kenji Nakagawa1, Toshihiro Tanaka3, Kimihiko Kichikawa3, Tetsuro Tamamoto4, Masatoshi Hasegawa4, Akira Mitoro5, Hitoshi Yoshiji5, Naoya Ikeda1. 1. Department of Surgery, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8522, Japan. 2. Department of Surgery, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8522, Japan. m-sho@naramed-u.ac.jp. 3. Department of Radiology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8522, Japan. 4. Department of Radiation Oncology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8522, Japan. 5. Third Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8522, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The optimal stent type in patients receiving preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) is uncertain. The present study aimed to compare the clinical effectiveness of biliary metallic stent (MS) and plastic stent (PS) in patients undergoing preoperative NACRT for resectable pancreatic cancer. METHODS: This retrospective study included 43 patients who required either biliary MS or PS before initiating NACRT for resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic head cancer. Seventeen patients had MS (MS group), while 23 patients had PS (PS group). All patients received preoperative NACRT, including gemcitabine and concomitant three-dimensional radiation of 54 Gy, and underwent pancreatectomy. Stent patency, surgery postponement, postoperative outcomes, and cost-effectiveness were compared between these groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline demographic or tumor characteristics between the groups. Stent patency was significantly longer in the MS group than in the PS group (p = 0.042). There were no differences in time to surgery, intraoperative characteristics, surgical complications, margin positivity, and pathological response between the groups. Furthermore, the medical cost of maintenance of biliary drainage during NACRT was similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: MS placement compared to PS in patients receiving preoperative NACRT provided no significant benefits during the postoperative course of pancreatectomy. However, MS placement was associated with long stent patency while showing no economic disadvantage. Therefore, MS placement may be recommended in patients receiving preoperative NACRT for resectable pancreatic cancer.
BACKGROUND: The optimal stent type in patients receiving preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) is uncertain. The present study aimed to compare the clinical effectiveness of biliary metallic stent (MS) and plastic stent (PS) in patients undergoing preoperative NACRT for resectable pancreatic cancer. METHODS: This retrospective study included 43 patients who required either biliary MS or PS before initiating NACRT for resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic head cancer. Seventeen patients had MS (MS group), while 23 patients had PS (PS group). All patients received preoperative NACRT, including gemcitabine and concomitant three-dimensional radiation of 54 Gy, and underwent pancreatectomy. Stent patency, surgery postponement, postoperative outcomes, and cost-effectiveness were compared between these groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline demographic or tumor characteristics between the groups. Stent patency was significantly longer in the MS group than in the PS group (p = 0.042). There were no differences in time to surgery, intraoperative characteristics, surgical complications, margin positivity, and pathological response between the groups. Furthermore, the medical cost of maintenance of biliary drainage during NACRT was similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: MS placement compared to PS in patients receiving preoperative NACRT provided no significant benefits during the postoperative course of pancreatectomy. However, MS placement was associated with long stent patency while showing no economic disadvantage. Therefore, MS placement may be recommended in patients receiving preoperative NACRT for resectable pancreatic cancer.