Total pancreatectomy in six patients with intraductal papillary mucinous tumour of the pancreas: the treatment of choice.

BACKGROUND

Intraductal papillary mucinous tumours (IPMT) were described as a distinct entity in 1982.The extent of surgical resection remains controversial.

METHODS

Six patients with a diffuse dilatation of the main pancreatic duct were treated with total pancreatectomy for cure of IPMT.

RESULTS

Histological examination showed one IPM adenoma, four IPM non-invasive carcinomas and one IPM invasive carcinoma. In all but one case multifocal extensive intraductal changes were found, affecting either most of the pancreas or the whole organ. All patients survived the operation and remain alive 5-56 months later. Post-pancreatectomy diabetes has been moderately well controlled.

DISCUSSION: IPMTs represent a subgroup of pancreatic neoplasms with a favourable prognosis, and the resection should aim at removing all dysplastic foci. In cases with diffuse dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, widespread tumour involvement of the duct system can be expected, so total pancreatectomy should be the operation of choice.