Outcome of the pancreatic remnant following segmental pancreatectomy for non-invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.

OBJECTIVES

Intraductual papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are often multifocal and involve the entire pancreas. Because of the morbidity associated with total pancreatectomy, surgeons will perform segmental pancreatectomy, resecting only the most 'threatening' IPMN lesion(s). We sought to determine whether the presence of residual IPMN following segmental pancreatectomy for non-invasive IPMN increases the risk for subsequent development of invasive pancreatic cancer and decreases survival.

METHODS

Data on patients undergoing segmental resection of non-invasive IPMN during the period 1991-2010 at a high-volume academic institution were prospectively accrued.

RESULTS

Of 243 patients who underwent segmental resection for IPMN, 191 (79%) demonstrated non-invasive pathology. Of these, 153 (80%) showed the absence and 38 (20%) the presence of residual IPMN at the initial operation. Of the 38 patients with residual IPMN, eight had positive IPMN margins, 23 had radiographic evidence of IPMN, and seven had both. During a mean follow-up of 73 months, 31 (20%) of 153 patients without residual IPMN developed a new radiographic lesion consistent with IPMN and, of these, three (10%) were found to represent invasive cancer. One (3%) of 38 patients with residual IPMN developed invasive cancer. In summary, in 191 initially non-invasive cases of IPMN, four invasive cancers (2%) developed during follow-up. The mean progression-free interval in these four patients was 54 months (range: 20-99 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with patients undergoing complete operative IPMN clearance, patients with residual IPMN after segmental pancreatectomy do not demonstrate increased risk for the development of invasive disease or reduced survival. In patients without residual IPMN who later develop new IPMN, the risk for invasive IPMN is increased.