Managing unsuspected tumour invasion of the superior mesenteric-portal vein during surgery for pancreatic head cancer. A case report.
BACKGROUND
In some cases, synchronous superior mesenteric-portal vein resection can be performed during pancreatic resection for cancer. The reconstruction technique is usually primary anastomosis; in only a few cases is an autologous vein graft needed.


METHODS
We report a case of reconstruction of the superior mesenteric-portal vein with a splenic vein autograft in a patient affected by pancreatic head adenocarcinoma who underwent a total pancreatectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
The reconstruction of the superior mesenteric-portal vein with a splenic vein autograft should be performed in selected cases. It allows a reduction of operating time, it is a less invasive approach than reconstruction using an internal jugular vein autograft and it can be an oncologically correct approach.
Casadei
Riccardo
R
Department of General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy. riccardo.casadei@aosp.bo.it
D'Ambra
Marielda
M
Freyrie
Antonio
A
Monari
Francesco
F
Alagna
Vincenzo
V
Ricci
Claudio
C
Minni
Francesco
F
D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008642:Mesenteric Veins / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013162:Splenic Vein / Q000637:transplantation*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery