Prognostic Value of the Regional Lymph Node Station in Pancreatoduodenectomy for Ampullary Carcinoma

Abstract

Background/aim: The optimal extent of lymph node dissection for ampullary carcinoma is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of lymph node dissection for ampullary carcinoma.

Patients and methods: Between 2000 and 2020, a total of 75 patients undergoing radical resection for ampullary carcinoma were included. The efficacy index (EI) was calculated by multiplication of the frequency of lymph node metastasis (LNM) at the station and the 5-year survival rate of patients with metastasis at the station.

Results: Out of 75 patients, 14 had LNM. The EI for the peri-pancreatic head (station 13 and 17) and superior mesenteric artery (station 14) lymph node were 4.4 and 3.5, respectively. Whereas the peri-gastric (station 5 and 6), common hepatic artery (station 8), and liver hilum (station 12) lymph node stations had zero EI. Although the number of patients with the station 16 dissected was small (9%), the para-aortic (station 16) lymph nodes had the highest EI of 14.3 despite being distant lymph nodes.

Conclusion: We identified the distribution of LNM and survival benefit of lymph node dissection for ampullary carcinoma. Our results suggest that the optimal extent of lymph node dissection for ampullary carcinoma could be reconsidered.

Keywords: Ampullary carcinoma; carcinomas of the papilla of Vater; lymph node dissection; outcome.