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Radiofrequency is a secure and effective method for pancreatic transection in laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: results of a randomized, controlled trial in an experimental model

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Abstract

Background

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (PPF) is the most frequent and serious complication after laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP). Our goal was to compare the performance, in terms of PPF prevention, and safety of a radiofrequency (RF)-assisted transection device versus a stapler device in a porcine LDP model.

Methods

Thirty-two animals were randomly divided into two groups to perform LDP using a RF-assisted device (RF group; n = 16) and stapler device (ST group; n = 16) and necropsied 4 weeks after surgery. The primary endpoint was the incidence of PPF. Secondary endpoints were surgery/transection time, intra/postoperative complications/deaths, postoperative plasmatic amylase and glucose concentration, peritoneal liquid amylase and interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentrations, weight variations, and histopathological changes.

Results

Two clinical and one biochemical PPF were observed in the ST and RF groups respectively. Peritoneal amylase concentration was significantly higher in the RF group 4 days after surgery, but this difference was no longer present at necropsy. Both groups presented a significant decrease in peritoneal IL-6 concentration during the postoperative follow-up, with no differences between the groups. RF group animals showed a higher postoperative weight gain. In the histopathological exam, all RF group animals showed a common pattern of central coagulative necrosis of the parenchymal surface, surrounded by a thick fibrosis, which sealed main and secondary pancreatic ducts and was not found in ST group.

Conclusions

The fibrosis caused by an RF-assisted device can be at least as safe and effective as stapler compression to achieve pancreatic parenchyma sealing in a porcine LDP model.

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Acknowledgments

This work received financial support from the Spanish “Plan Nacional de I+D+I del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación,” Grant No. TEC2011-27133-C02-02.

Disclosures

F. Burdío, E. Bejarano, and R. Quesada declare stock ownership in Apeiron Medical S.L., a company that has a license for the patent US 8.303.584.B2, on which the device tested in this study is based. D. Dorcaratto, D. Fondevila, A. Andaluz, I. Poves, X. Mayol, M. Caceres, and L. Grande have no conflict of interests or financial ties to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery, Hospital del Mar, Paseo Maritimo 25–28, 08003, Barcelona, Spain

    Dimitri Dorcaratto, Fernando Burdío, Ignasi Poves, Marta Caceres & Luis Grande

  2. Department of Surgery, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Dimitri Dorcaratto, Fernando Burdío, Ignasi Poves & Luis Grande

  3. Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Dolors Fondevila & Anna Andaluz

  4. Apeiron Medical, Valencia, Spain

    Rita Quesada

  5. Biomedical Synergy, Electronic Engineering Department, Universitat Politècnica de Valéncia, Valencia, Spain

    Enrique Berjano

  6. Programa de recerca en cancer, Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain

    Dimitri Dorcaratto, Rita Quesada & Xavier Mayol

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  1. Dimitri Dorcaratto
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  10. Luis Grande
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Correspondence to Dimitri Dorcaratto.

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Dorcaratto, D., Burdío, F., Fondevila, D. et al. Radiofrequency is a secure and effective method for pancreatic transection in laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: results of a randomized, controlled trial in an experimental model. Surg Endosc 27, 3710–3719 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-013-2952-1

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