Investigation of the variation of vessels around the pancreatic head based on the first jejunal vein anatomy at pancreaticoduodenectomy.

PURPOSE: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic cancer carries a high risk of massive intraoperative blood loss. The artery first approach (AFA) prevents blood loss during PD, but the optimal approach is unclear. The first jejunal vein (FJV) often comprises multiple veins and broadly supports venous drainage of the proximal jejunum. Its ligation carries a risk of proximal jejunum congestion. Here we investigated the anatomical characteristics of PD-associated vessels and AFA approach selection based on FJV anatomy.

METHODS

This study included 148 Japanese living donors for liver transplantation. We reviewed their computed tomography images and assessed the anatomical pattern of PD-associated vessels in terms of FJV anatomy.

RESULTS

The FJV traveled posterior to the superior mesenteric artery in 128 patients (86.5%, dorsal group) and anterior in 20 (13.5%, ventral group). The predominant draining vein of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal vein was the superior mesenteric vein in the ventral group (87.5%) and the FJV in the dorsal group (97.9%). Compared with the dorsal group, the ventral group had a significantly greater percentage with the superior mesenteric vein ventral to the superior mesenteric artery (30.0% versus 10.9%) and a significantly larger posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal vein diameter (3.2 ± 0.9 versus 2.7 ± 0.6 mm, p = 0.0029). These results were validated in patients with pancreatic head cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The anatomical characteristics of PD-associated vessels differed significantly between groups defined by FJV anatomy. Understanding the venous anatomy, especially the FJV, could support selection of the best approach in AFA for PD.