Management of cancer of the ampulla of Vater: does local resection play a role?

BACKGROUND

The clinical outcome of patients with ampullary carcinoma is significantly more favorable than for patients with pancreatic head carcinoma. The Whipple procedure is the operation of choice for both diagnoses. Still local resection is recommended in selected cases. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of local resection of cancer of the ampulla of Vater by comparison with pancreaticoduodenectomy.

METHOD: 92 patients with cancer of the ampulla of Vater treated between 1975 and 1999 with local resection (n = 10), pancreatic resection (n = 49) or laparotomy and no resection (n = 33) were studied retrospectively. The main outcome measures were postoperative morbidity and mortality, surgical radicality and long-term survival.

RESULTS

The postoperative complication rate was significantly lower after local resection (p = 0.036) whereas mortality did not differ between the 2 resection groups. UICC stages were less advanced in the local resection group (p < 0.04). Still, the frequency of positive resection margins and RO resections was the same in both groups, as was long-term survival. Local recurrence was diagnosed in 8/10 (80%) patients after local and in 11/49 (22%) patients after pancreatic resection (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the preferred operation for cancer of the ampulla of Vater in patients who are fit for the procedure. Local resection plays a limited role in carefully selected patients.