[Does the extent of lymph node dissection have an effect on morbidity and prognosis after resection of the head of the pancreas for ductal or periampullary pancreatic carcinoma?].

We examined the influence of lymph node dissection on morbidity and mortality of 13 patients after resection of the head of pancreas due to a ductal or periampullary carcinoma. In both groups the radicality of the operation was the main prognostic factor. In ductal pancreatic carcinoma the R-status was able to be determined better by normalisation of the postoperative Ca 19-9 serum level than by the evaluation of the surgeon or pathologist. For prognosis, the quotient of metastatic lymph nodes to resected lymph nodes indicates that an extensive lymph node dissection may increase the long term survival. A lymph node dissection is therefore to be recommended, especially since it does not increase the rate of postoperative complications.