Laparoscopic fenestration of pancreatic serous cystadenoma: Minimally invasive approach for symptomatic benign disease

Abstract

Serous cystadenoma (SC) is a benign pancreatic cystic tumor. Surgical resection is recommended for symptomatic forms, but laparoscopic fenestration of large symptomatic macrocystic SC was not yet described in the literature. In this study, 3 female patients underwent laparoscopic fenestration for macrocystic SC (12-14 cm). Diagnosis was established via magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic ultrasound, with intra-cystic dosage of tumors markers (ACE and CA19-9) in 2 patients. All patients were symptomatic and operated on 15-60 mo after diagnosis. Radiological evaluation showed constant cyst growth. Patients were informed about this new surgical modality that can avoid pancreatic resection. The mean operative time was 103 min (70-150 min) with one conversion. The post-operative course was marked by a grade A pancreatic fistula in one patient and was uneventful in the other two. The hospital stay was 3, 10, and 18 d, respectively. The diagnosis of macrocystic SC was histologically-confirmed in all cases. At the last follow-up (13-26 mo), all patients were symptom-free, and radiological evaluation showed complete disappearance of the cyst. Laparoscopic fenestration, as opposed to resection, should be considered for large symptomatic macrocystic SC, thereby avoiding pancreatic resection morbidity and mortality.

Key Words: Pancreatic serous cystadenoma; Laparoscopic fenestration; Symptomatic

Core tip: Although surgical resection is the classical modality for treating symptomatic serous cystadenoma (SC), laparoscopic fenestration for large macrocystic SC was not yet described in the literature. In this study, 3 female patients underwent laparoscopic fenestration of symptomatic macrocystic SC. Conversion was needed in one patient for bile duct injury, while another patient developed a grade A pancreatic fistula. Histology confirmed the diagnosis in all patients and, after a follow-up of 13-26 mo, all patients are asymptomatic. Radiological evaluation showed complete disappearance of SC. This mini-invasive approach avoids the high mortality and morbidity encountered with pancreatic resection.

INTRODUCTION

With the widespread use of cross-sectional imaging studies, pancreatic cysts are more frequently discovered, and a 2.6%-20% prevalence has been reported in patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for non-related pancreatic disorders[1]. These lesions are represented mainly by intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia (IPMN), mucinous cystadenoma (MC), and serous cystadenoma (SC)[2]. SC is mainly observed in females with a mean age of 60 years. Overall tumor size ranges from less than 1 cm to more than 10 cm. The diameter of cystic components inside the tumor may also vary from a few micrometers to several centimeters[3,4], and can be unilocular or pseudo-solid[4,5]. The diagnosis of SC can be accurately established on a CT scan[6], MRI[7], and coupled, if needed, with endoscopic ultrasound plus fine needle aspiration and intra-cystic dosage of tumors markers[8-11]. SC is a benign pancreatic lesion with a slow rate of size increase, a very low risk of complications, and malignant evolution. When the diagnosis is certain, no treatment is required in asymptomatic patients[12]. Although the main indications of surgical resection are symptomatic SC, there are doubtful cases that cannot be differentiated from malignant or low potential malignant diseases[13-15]. Many cases are operated because they are falsely considered to be symptomatic (i.e., non-specific abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome) or are doubtful cases (neuro-endocrine tumor, MC, and IPMN) after an incomplete diagnostic evaluation. With the increased prevalence of this disease and unclear data about management, recent studies have focused mainly on the long-term risk of growth in order to select the subgroup of patients who might benefit from surgical resection[16]. Symptomatic or misdiagnosed lesions are usually treated by open or laparoscopic pancreatic resection, with the inherent risk of morbidity, mortality, and long-term pancreatic insufficiency related to these procedures[17]. The aim of this short series is to show that some symptomatic SC can also be treated by a much more conservative surgical approach consisting only of cyst fenestration, without any pancreatic resection. We describe 3 cases of large symptomatic SC of the pancreatic head treated by laparoscopic fenestration.

CASE REPORT

Between September 2012 and June 2013, three female patients (33-66 years old) were operated for large symptomatic SC in the pancreatic head. SC had been diagnosed 15, 40, and 60 mo before surgery. The main symptoms were pain and fullness in the right subcostal area (n = 3), palpable mass (n = 3), signs of gastric outlet obstruction (n = 1), and moderate cholestasis without jaundice (n = 1). All patients underwent MRI, with the aspect of the cyst being typical in 2. Endoscopic ultrasound with intra-cystic ACE level measurement was performed in 2 patients, and showed 2 and 0.2 μg/L, respectively. One patient had multiple SC, and the diagnosis of Von Hippel Lindau disease was ruled out by genetic screening. Cyst growth was observed in all patients (Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3), and the size increased from 4, 9, and 10 cm at diagnosis to 12, 13, and 14 cm just before surgery, respectively.

Figure 1 Magnetic resonance imaging and post-operative computed tomography scan of patient 1. Magnetic resonance imaging shows a large serous cystadenoma in the pancreatic head measured at 13 cm (A), with post-operative computed tomography scan showing complete disappearance after laparoscopic fenestration (B).

Figure 2 Computed tomography scan and post-operative magnetic resonance imaging of patient 2. Computed tomography scan showed a serous cystadenoma in the pancreatic head measured at 4 cm at diagnosis (A) and 12 cm (B) before surgery; post-operative magnetic resonance imaging showing complete cyst disappearance (C).

Figure 3 Magnetic resonance imaging and post-operative computed tomography scan of patient 3. Magnetic resonance imaging showing multiple serous cystadenoma, with a large one in the pancreatic head measuring at 10 cm at diagnosis (A) and 14 cm before surgery (B); post-operative computed tomography scan showed complete disappearance (C).

Surgical technique

The patient was installed in the supine position under general anesthesia, with legs spread apart and the monitor to the patient’s left. Open coelioscopy was performed through the umbilicus; a total of 4 trocars were necessary for this procedure. The trocar placement was done in order to avoid crossing the hands of the surgeon and assistant. The 30-degree optic trocar was installed in the right hypochondrium, the 10 mm operator trocar in the umbilicus, and another two 5 mm trocars in the left hypochondrium and right subcostal area for apprehension. Harmonic shears (Harmonic; Ethicon, Issy les Moulineaux, France) and a bipolar cautery coagulation device were needed. Once exploration was complete, the right gastrocolic ligament was largely divided in order to expose the anterior surface of the pancreatic gland and the area of the cyst to be opened. The cyst was freed from some collateral circulation that can be encountered related to venous compression. The cyst was opened, the content was aspirated, liquid sampling for tumors markers dosages was taken, and as large as possible (5-10 cm) fenestration was performed (Figure 4). The specimen was removed in a surgical bag by the trocar incision for pathological examination. A small suction drain was left in the cyst cavity.

Figure 4 Intraoperative view, showing large fenestration of a large serous cystadenoma in the pancreatic head.

The mean operative time was 103 min (70-150 min). Conversion was needed in one patient for bile duct injury, which was treated by end-to-end biliary anastomosis with a biliary drain. SC was fenestrated anteriorly behind the anterior aspect of the pancreatic head (n = 2) and laterally posterior to the duodenum and hepatic pedicle in one patient. One patient needed pancreatectomy in order to have access to the cyst. In one patient, the great omentum was inserted in the cystic cavity.

The post-operative course was marked by a grade A pancreatic fistula in the one patient who had undergone pancreatectomy, while the other two had an uneventful post-operative course. Hospital stay was 3, 10, and 18 d, respectively. The definitive diagnosis of macrocystic SC was confirmed on histology in all patients, who showed a glycogen-rich epithelium, sometimes with abrasion, without any mucinous secretion or ovarian stroma.

Long-term follow-up

At the last follow-up (13, 21, and 26 mo), all 3 patients were symptom-free, and radiological evaluation showed complete disappearance of the cyst (Figures 1, 2 and 3).

DISCUSSION

To the best of our knowledge, laparoscopic fenestration of pancreatic SC was not yet described in the literature. Only one case using an open approach of fenestration indicated for jaundice was published, and had an excellent long-term result[18].

This small series suggests that laparoscopic fenestration of large symptomatic SC is safe and effective. However, a larger series with longer post-operative follow-up is warranted to ascertain the fate of SC after such treatment.

Some cases of malignant transformation (< 1%) to lymph node invasion or liver metastases[19,20] had been described. However, this risk appears extremely low, if it exists at all, and has to be compared to the mortality risk of surgical pancreatic resection. Therefore, surgical treatment should be indicated only for symptoms clearly related to SC, and for cases remaining doubtful after a complete workup. Small SC without any local compression are less likely to be responsible for any symptoms. On the other hand, large SC might be symptomatic, and compression on the nearby structures might be observed either clinically (pain, abdominal mass, jaundice, or gastric outlet obstruction), radiologically (dilated main pancreatic or bile ducts) or biochemically (cholestasis). The impact of the observed symptoms on patient quality of life should be balanced against the risk of pancreatic surgical resection and its sequelae.

Some authors have described very large SC with local invasion of vessels, bile duct, stomach, and duodenum. In a recent study on 257 resected SC, it was shown that local invasion was mainly observed in large lesions (> 10 cm) located in the pancreatic head[3]. Two of our patients had gastric outlet obstruction and bile duct dilatation with mild cholestasis, respectively. Slow growth rate is observed in some SC. In a recent study on 145 patients who underwent MRI, it was shown that the growth rate of SC was 0.1 cm/year in the first 7 years, and 0.6 cm/year between 7 and 10 years from the baseline evaluation. This growth was mainly observed in oligocystic lesions, in patients with other malignant history, and in those of an advanced age[4]. Of course, the progression in size should not be an indication for surgery per se. Regular radiological follow-up should be the main option in asymptomatic patients, regardless of the overall size of the SC.

Pancreatic resection is considered the only surgical modality for symptomatic lesions. However, pancreatic resection, even for benign disease, is still associated with very high morbidity and long-term endocrine and exocrine insufficiency risks[21]. This mortality, even reduced to its minimum rate, should be considered very poor for such a benign lesion. Even if the risk of pancreatic insufficiency is much lower after atypical pancreatic resections (enucleation or central pancreatectomy), the risk of surgical morbidity or morality remains high. To avoid this morbidity, indications for surgical resection should be refined, and other treatment modalities should be discussed. In our opinion, the subgroup of patients with large symptomatic SC might safely benefit from cyst fenestration. A large cyst can modify the anatomy of the pancreatic head, and the area to be fenestrated should be selected on the pre-operative CT scan in order to avoid injury of surrounded structures. All our patients were operated by laparoscopic approach, but even the open approach can be considered for anatomical reasons. We should mention that fenestration with incomplete resection for SC is justified by the fact that the risk of malignant transformation is extremely low, and was probably not encountered with these SC due to their being purely cystic without any solid component. Histology of the cyst wall should be obtained to rule out malignancy.

Theoretically, there is a risk of recurrence, since a great part of the cyst and its epithelium are not resected or destroyed. This risk needs to be evaluated by a longer follow-up of our patients. In another paper, we described a case of calcic involution even after endoscopic ultrasound and complete aspiration of SC[22].

In conclusion, laparoscopic fenestration of large pancreatic macrocystic SC appears to be safe and very effective. It can be added to the less aggressive surgical tools for symptomatic SC.

COMMENTS

Case characteristics

Three female patients presented with epigastric and right hypochondrium pain.

Clinical diagnosis

An abdominal mass was noted on the clinical exam.

Differential diagnosis

The differential diagnosis was mainly serous cystadenoma, mucinous cystadenoma, and pseudocyst.

Laboratory diagnosis

Intracystic ACE level was low, which was suggestive of a diagnosis of serous cystadenoma.

Imaging diagnosis

Magnetic resonance imaging showed large macrocystic lesions in the pancreatic head compatible with the diagnosis of serous cystadenoma. Multiple cysts were present in one patient.

Pathological diagnosis

After partial resection, the diagnosis of macrocystic serous cystadenoma was confirmed in all patients.

Treatment

Laparoscopic fenestration was performed in all 3 patients.

Related reports

This treatment was not yet described in the literature, and can be a method of avoiding classical treatment by pancreatic resection.

Term explanation

Fenestration is incomplete resection, with only a part of the cyst being removed.

Experiences and lessons

Laparoscopic fenestration, as opposed to resection, should be offered to any patient with symptomatic large macrocystic serous cystadenoma.

Peer-review

This treatment can be proposed because the risk of malignancy is exceptional. Histology should be obtained during fenestration.