"Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a dismal disease with poor long-term survival. Performing a Whipple on T3 lesions with vascular invasion will allow for an increased amount of surgical resections, and it is possible to achieve equivalent survival outcomes, compared with patients who receive a Whipple only," he said, adding that further study is needed to determine if any of the multiple vascular reconstruction options is superior to the others.
"It is our recommendation that a multidisciplinary team with surgeons experienced with vascular reconstruction perform these operations, and that, if possible, these patients be referred to a high-volume institution for the best outcome," he concluded.
Dr. Sgroi reported having no disclosures.