Background: Pancreatoduodenectomy is considered to be a very invasive treatment for early superficial duodenal tumors (SDTs), which have a lower risk of lymph node metastasis. Partial resection of the duodenum with endoscopic submucosal dissection for SDT resection is an attractive technique but it is associated with a high risk of complications. We describe our technique for SDT resection.
Method: It includes the following elements: freeing the transverse mesocolon, exposing and mobilizing the second part of the duodenum and the head of the pancreas (Kocher maneuver), confirming the location of the ulcer bed for endoscopic submucosal dissection, and laparoscopic suturing by hand in the seromuscular layer of the duodenum. We performed this technique in 10 patients between March 2015 and March 2017.
Results: The median tumor diameter and resected tissue diameter were 36 (20-54) and 41 (25-60) mm, respectively. Curative resection (R0) with negative margins was achieved for all patients. There were no conversions to open surgery in this series. No postoperative complications were above grade 2 in the Clavien-Dindo classification system. No recurrences were observed during the medium-term follow-up period.
Conclusion: This technique is safe and feasible and can be an option for surgical SDT resection.
Keywords: Duodenal tumor; LECS; Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery.