Postoperative Outcome of Surgery with Pancreatic Resection for Retroperitoneal Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Results of a Retrospective Bicentric Analysis on 50 Consecutive Patients

Backgrounds Multivisceral resection is the standard treatment for retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) during which pancreas resection may be necessary. Methods All consecutive patients operated for RPS with pancreatectomy in 2 expert centers between 1993 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Fifty patients (median age: 57 years, IQR: [46-65]) with a primary (n = 33) or recurrent (n = 17) RPS underwent surgery requiring pancreas resection (distal pancreatectomy (DP) (n = 43), pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) (n = 5), central pancreatectomy (n = 1), and atypical resection (n = 1)). Severe postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo III-IV) was observed in 14 patients (28%), and 7 of them (14%) required reoperation for anastomotic bowel leakage (n = 5), gastric volvulus (n = 1), or hemorrhage (n = 1). Pancreas-related complications occurred in 25 patients (50%): 10 postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPF) (grade A (n = 12), grade B (n = 6), grade C (n = 1)), 13 delayed gastric emptying (grade A (n = 8), grade B (n = 4), grade C (n = 1)), 1 hemorrhage (grade C). Postoperative mortality was 4% (n = 2), all following PD, caused by a massive intraoperative air embolism and by a multiple organ failure after anastomotic leakage. Pathological analysis confirmed pancreatic involvement in 17 (34%) specimens. Microscopically complete resection (R0) was achieved in 22 (44%) patients. After a follow-up of 60 months, 36 patients (75%) were still alive, among whom 27 without recurrence (56%). Conclusion Pancreatic resection during RPS surgery is associated with significant postoperative morbidity and mortality. PD should be avoided whenever possible while other procedures seemed achievable without excessive morbidity and with long-term survival.

Automated summary

The retrospective study analyzed 50 patients undergoing surgery for retroperitoneal sarcoma with pancreatectomy, finding that pancreatectomy is associated with significant postoperative morbidity and mortality, with common pancreas-related complications. The study suggests avoiding pancreaticoduodenectomy whenever possible, as other procedures may lead to better long-term survival.