Outcomes of Surgical Resection of Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms Based on the European Expert Consensus Statement: A Prospective Observational Study.

Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) comprise neoplasms with a wide range of benign and malignant varieties. The most common include serous cystic neoplasms (SCNs), mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), and solid pseudo-papillary neoplasms (SPPNs).

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) are used to diagnose different PCNs types. The cyst fluid aspiration and analysis is performed in difficult differential diagnosis. Frequently, amylase and CEA levels are measured. The choice of surgery depends on cyst location and size and includes pancreatico-duodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes after pancreatic surgery when adopted as the management of true exocrine epithelial cystic neoplasms.

Patients and methods: Between June 2014 and January 2018, 63 patients referred to our tertiary referral center with diagnosis of true exocrine cystic neoplasms of the pancreas accepted for surgery were included in the present prospective cohort study. Patients were categorized according to preoperative diagnosis into: serous cystic neoplasms (Group A: 30 patients), mucinous cystic neoplasms (Group B: 13 patients), intra-papillary mucinous neoplasms (Group C: 9 patients), whereas the last 5 patients diagnosed as solid pseudo-papillary neoplasms (Group D). Demographic data, perioperative data and univariate analysis for malignancy, recurrence and pancreatic fistula were collected and analyzed.