Pancreatectomy associated with superior mesenteric-portal vein (SMPV) resection is currently considered the standard of care for patients with pancreatic tumors involving the major peripancreatic veins. However, a standard approach for resection and reconstruction is not defined yet. The aim of this study is to analyze the feasibility and short-term results of an original Cattell-Braasch artery-first approach (CBAF) for the resection of SMPV during pancreatectomy. Of 144 pancreatectomies with vascular resection undertaken from 2008 to 2013 at Karolinska University Hospital, 45 (31.2 %) were performed combining a Cattell-Braasch maneuver with an artery-first approach (from 2011 to 2013). The mean patient age was 65.2 years. Thirty-seven (82.2 %) patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy and 8 (17.8 %) total pancreatectomy. Histology showed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in 42 patients (93.3 %). The median length of the resected SMPV segment was 4.6 cm (range 3-7). In all patients, a direct end-to-end anastomosis was performed without graft interposition. In nine cases (20 %), an arterial resection was also performed. There was no mortality in this series, and the morbidity rate was 35.5 %. Combined CBAF for the resection of SMPV during pancreatectomy seems to be safe and effective. The reconstruction of the resected vessels is possible in many cases without graft interposition, even if the resected vein segment is of considerable length.
Keywords: Artery-first approach; Cattell-Braasch maneuver; Pancreatectomy; Superior mesenteric vein resection; Vascular resection.