Extended pancreatic resections and lymphadenectomy: An appraisal of the current evidence

Table 3 Randomised controlled trials analysing the benefits of SL versus EL for pancreatic cancer

Author (Ref) & year	Number of patients randomised	Mean lymph nodes harvested±SD	Adjuvant CT	Morbidity/Mortality	Survival	Conclusions
Pedrazolli et al[61] 1998	PD: 40 PD/EL: 41	PD: 13.3 ± 8.3 PD/EL: 19.8 ± 15.1 (P < 0.03)	-	PD: 45%/5% PD/EL: 34%/4.8%	4-YSR = (actuarial) PD: 12% PD/EL: 6%	No difference in morbidity and mortality Trend toward longer survival in node positive patients treated with EL
Yeo et al[62] 2002	PD: 146 PD/EL: 148	PD: 17.0 ± 0.6 PD /EL: 28.5 ± 0.6 (P < 0.001)	Both groups	PD: 29%/4% PD/EL: 43%/2%	5-YSR = (actuarial) PD: 10% PD/EL: 25%	Similar mortality but increased morbidity with no survival benefit
1Nimura et al[63] 2004	PD: 51 PD/EL: 50	PD: 13 PD/EL: 40 (P < 0.03)	-	PD: 12%/0% PD/EL: 20%/2%	3-YSR = (actuarial) PD: 28.5% PD/EL: 16.6%	No improvement in survival with EL
Farnell et al[64] 2005	PD: 40 PD/EL: 39	PD: 15 (3-31) 2PD/EL: 36 (6-74) (P < 0.0001)	Both Groups (+ RT)	PD: 35%/0% PD/EL: 45%/2.6%	5-YSR = (actuarial) PD: 16.4% PD/EL: 16.5%	No improvement in survival along with a decreased QOL with EL

¹Published only in abstract form;

²Expressed as median (range); Abbreviations: CT: Chemotherapy; QOL: Quality of life; RT: Radiotherapy; SL: standard lymphadenectomy; EL: Extended lymphadenectomy.