Resection for cure of adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas: the greater Hartford experience.
BACKGROUND
Nationally, the results of pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas have improved. Therefore, we examined our experience with this operation.


METHODS
A retrospective review of tumor registry data from four greater Hartford, Connecticut, hospitals identified 51 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas between 1982 and 1992.


RESULTS
The 30-day operative mortality rate for the group was 4%. Life table survival analysis revealed a five-year survival rate of 15% and a median survival of 15 months. Twelve patients had postoperative radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The median survival in this group was 36 months, significantly longer than that of the nonadjuvant therapy group (13 months, P < .02). No difference in operative mortality or ultimate survival was seen between the hospital with the largest experience and the three other hospitals.


CONCLUSIONS
Pancreaticoduodenectomy can be performed safely at hospitals with relatively low pancreaticoduodenectomy volume. Survival rates are longer than in past reviews.
Ross
H M
HM
University of Connecticut School of Medicine, USA.
Kurtzman
S H
SH
Macauly
W P
WP
Allen
L W
LW
Foster
J H
JH
Deckers
P J
PJ
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003237:Connecticut; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate