Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection(DP-CAR).Methods:A total of 89 consecutive patients (50 males and 39 females) who were diagnosed with pancreatic body cancer and underwent DP-CAR in Pancreas Center,First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between September 2013 and June 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 50 males and 39 females,with age( M(IQR)) of 63(12) years(range:43 to 81 years). Perioperative parameters,pathology results and follow-up data of these patients were analyzed, χ2 or Fisher′s test for categorical data while the Wilcoxon test for quantitative data. Survival results were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier survival method. Results:Among 89 cases,cases combined with portal vein-superior mesenteric vein or organ resection accounted for 22.5% (20/89) and 42.7% (38/89),respectively. The operative time,blood loss and postoperative hospital stay were 270 (110) minutes,300 (300) ml and 13 (10) days,respectively. The overall morbidity rate was 67.4% (60/89) while the major morbidity was 11.2% (10/89). The increase rate in transient liver enzymes was 42.7% (38/89),3.4% (3/89) for liver failure,53.9% (48/89) for clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula,1.1% (1/89) for bile leak,3.4% (3/89) for chylous leak of grade B and C,11.2% (10/89) for abdominal infection,9.0% (8/89) for postoperative hemorrhage of grade B and C,4.5% (4/89) for delayed gastric emptying,6.7% (6/89) for deep vein thrombosis,3.4% (3/89) for reoperation,4.5% (4/89)for hospital mortality,7.9% (7/89) for 90-day mortality. The pathological type was pancreatic cancer for all 89 cases and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma made up 92.1% (82/89). The tumor size was 4.8(2.0) cm, ranging from 1.5 to 12.0 cm. The number of lymph nodes harvested was 14 (13)(range:2 to 33),with a positive lymph node rate of 13.0% (24.0%). The resection R0 rate was 30.0% (24/80) and the R1 (<1 mm) rate was 58.8% (47/80). The median overall survival time was 21.3 months (95% CI: 15.6 to 24.3) and the median disease-free survival time was 19.1 months (95% CI: 11.7 to 25.1). The overall survival at 1-year and 2-year were 69.60% and 39.52%. The median survival time of 58 patients with adjuvant chemotherapy was 24.3 months (95% CI: 17.8 to 32.3) while that of 13 patients without any kind of adjuvant therapy was 8.4 months (95% CI: 7.3 to 22.3). Seven patients accepted neoadjuvant chemotherapy and there was no significant morbidity among them,with a resection rate of R0 of 5/7. Conclusion:DP-CAR is safe and feasible for selective cases,which could be more valuable in improving long-term survival when combined with (neo) adjuvant therapy.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection(DP-CAR).Methods:A total of 89 consecutive patients (50 males and 39 females) who were diagnosed with pancreatic body cancer and underwent DP-CAR in Pancreas Center,First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between September 2013 and June 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 50 males and 39 females,with age( M(IQR)) of 63(12) years(range:43 to 81 years). Perioperative parameters,pathology results and follow-up data of these patients were analyzed, χ2 or Fisher′s test for categorical data while the Wilcoxon test for quantitative data. Survival results were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier survival method. Results:Among 89 cases,cases combined with portal vein-superior mesenteric vein or organ resection accounted for 22.5% (20/89) and 42.7% (38/89),respectively. The operative time,blood loss and postoperative hospital stay were 270 (110) minutes,300 (300) ml and 13 (10) days,respectively. The overall morbidity rate was 67.4% (60/89) while the major morbidity was 11.2% (10/89). The increase rate in transient liver enzymes was 42.7% (38/89),3.4% (3/89) for liver failure,53.9% (48/89) for clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula,1.1% (1/89) for bile leak,3.4% (3/89) for chylous leak of grade B and C,11.2% (10/89) for abdominal infection,9.0% (8/89) for postoperative hemorrhage of grade B and C,4.5% (4/89) for delayed gastric emptying,6.7% (6/89) for deep vein thrombosis,3.4% (3/89) for reoperation,4.5% (4/89)for hospital mortality,7.9% (7/89) for 90-day mortality. The pathological type was pancreatic cancer for all 89 cases and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma made up 92.1% (82/89). The tumor size was 4.8(2.0) cm, ranging from 1.5 to 12.0 cm. The number of lymph nodes harvested was 14 (13)(range:2 to 33),with a positive lymph node rate of 13.0% (24.0%). The resection R0 rate was 30.0% (24/80) and the R1 (<1 mm) rate was 58.8% (47/80). The median overall survival time was 21.3 months (95% CI: 15.6 to 24.3) and the median disease-free survival time was 19.1 months (95% CI: 11.7 to 25.1). The overall survival at 1-year and 2-year were 69.60% and 39.52%. The median survival time of 58 patients with adjuvant chemotherapy was 24.3 months (95% CI: 17.8 to 32.3) while that of 13 patients without any kind of adjuvant therapy was 8.4 months (95% CI: 7.3 to 22.3). Seven patients accepted neoadjuvant chemotherapy and there was no significant morbidity among them,with a resection rate of R0 of 5/7. Conclusion:DP-CAR is safe and feasible for selective cases,which could be more valuable in improving long-term survival when combined with (neo) adjuvant therapy.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for periampullary diseases.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinico-pathological data of 2 019 patients with periampullary diseases who underwent PD in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2016 to December 2020 were collected. There were 1 193 males and 826 females, aged 63(15) years. Observation indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) postoperative conditions; (3) postoperative pathological examinations; (4) prognosis of patients with periampullary carcinoma. Regular follow-up was conducted by telephone interview and outpatient examination once every 3 months within the postoperative first year and once every 6 months thereafter to detect the survival of patients with periampullary carcinoma. The follow-up was up to December 2021. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(IQR) or M(range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers and (or) percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed by the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves and calculate survival rates, and Log-Rank test was used to conduct survival analysis. Results:(1) Surgical situations: of 2 019 patients, 1 116 cases were admitted from 2016-2018 and 903 cases were admitted from 2019-2020. There were 1 866 cases undergoing open PD and 153 cases undergoing laparoscopic or robot-assisted PD. There were 1 049 cases under-going standard PD and 970 cases undergoing pylorus-preserved PD. There were 215 cases combined with portal mesenteric vein resection, 3 cases combined with arterial resection. The operation time of 2 019 patients was 255(104)minutes and the volume of intraoperative blood loss was 250(200)mL. The intraoperative blood transfusion rate was 31.401%(623/1 984), with the blood transfusion data of 35 cases missing. The proportions of pylorus-preservation, combination with portal mesenteric vein resection, intraoperative blood transfusion were 585 cases(52.419%), 97cases(8.692%), 384 cases(34.941%) for patients admitted in 2016-2018, versus 385 cases(42.636%), 118 cases(13.068%), 239 cases(27.006%) for patients admitted in 2019-2020, showing significant differences between them ( χ2=19.14,10.05,14.33, P<0.05). (2) Postoperative conditions: the duration of postoperative hospital stay of 2 019 patients was 13 (10) days. One of 2 019 patients lacked the data of postopera-tive complications. The overall postoperative complication rate was 45.292%(914/2 018), of which the incidence rate of grade B or C pancreatic fistula was 23.439%(473/2 018), the rate of grade B or C hemorrhage was 8.127%(164/2 018), the rate of grade B or C delayed gastric emptying was 15.312%(309/2 018), the rate of biliary fistula was 2.428%(49/2 018) and the rate of abdominal infection was 12.884%(260/2 018). The reoperation rate of 2 019 patients was 1.932%(39/2 019), the in-hospital mortality was 0.644%(13/2 019), the postoperative 30-day mortality was 1.238%(25/2 019), and the postoperative 90-day mortality was 2.675%(54/2 019). There were 541 cases(48.477%) with overall postoperative complications, 109 cases(9.767%) with grade B or C hemorr-hage, 208 cases(18.638%) with grade B or C delayed gastric emptying , 172 cases(15.412%) with abdominal infection, 39 cases(3.495%) with postoperative 90-day mortality of 1 116 patients admitted in 2016-2018. The above indicators were 373 cases(41.353%), 55 cases(6.098%), 101 cases(11.197%), 88 cases(9.756%), 15 cases(1.661%) of 902 patients admitted in 2019-2020, respectively. There were significant differences in the above indicators between them( χ2=10.22, 9.00, 21.30, 14.22, 6.45 , P<0.05). The in-hospital mortality occurred to 11 patients(0.986%) of 1 116 patients admitted in 2016-2018 and to 2 cases(0.221%) of 903 patients admitted in 2019-2020, showing a significant difference between them ( P<0.05). (3) Postoperative pathological examinations. Disease area of 2 019 patients reported in postoperative pathological examinations: there were 1 346 cases(66.667%) with lesions in pancreas, including 1 023 cases of carcinoma (76.003%) and 323 cases(23.997%) of benign diseases or low potential malignancy. There were 250 cases(12.382%) with lesions in duodenal papilla, including 225 cases of carcinoma (90.000%) and 25 cases(10.000%) of benign diseases or low potential malignancy. There were 174 cases(8.618%) with lesions in bile duct, including 156 cases of carcinoma (89.655%) and 18 cases(10.345%) of benign diseases or low potential malignancy. There were 140 cases(6.934%) with lesions in ampulla, including 134 cases of carcinoma (95.714%) and 6 cases(4.286%) of benign diseases or low potential malignancy. There were 91 cases(4.507%) with lesions in duodenum, including 52 cases of carcinoma (57.143%) and 39 cases(42.857%) of benign diseases or low potential malignancy. There were 18 cases(0.892%) with carcinoma in other sites. Postoperative pathological examination showed carcinoma in 1 608 cases(79.643%), benign diseases or low potential malignancy in 411 cases(20.357%). The histological types of 1 608 patients with carcinoma included adenocarcinoma in 1 447 cases (89.988%), intra-ductal papillary mucinous carcinoma in 37 cases(2.301%), adenosquamous carcinoma in 35 cases(2.177%), adenocarcinoma with other cancerous components in 29 cases(1.803%), neuroendocrine carcinoma in 18 cases(1.119%), squamous carcinoma in 1 case (0.062%), and other histological malignancies in 41 cases(2.550%). The histological types of 411 patients with benign or low poten-tial malignancy included intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm in 107 cases (26.034%), chronic or autoimmune inflammatory disease in 62 cases(15.085%), neuroendocrine tumor in 58 cases(14.112%), pancreatic serous cystadenoma in 52 cases(12.652%), pancreatic solid pseudopapillary tumor in 36 cases(8.759%), gastrointestinal stromal tumor in 29 cases(7.056%), villous ductal adenoma in 20 cases(4.866%), pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma in 2 cases(0.487%), pancreatic or duodenal trauma in 2 cases(0.487%) and other histological types in 43 cases(10.462%). (4) Prognosis of patients with periampullary carcinoma. Results of survival analysis of 1 590 patients with main locations of periampullary carcinoma showed that of 1 023 patients with pancreatic cancer, 969 cases were followed up for 3.0-69.6 months, with a median follow-up time of 30.9 months. The median overall survival time, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates of pancreatic cancer patients were 19.5 months [95% confidence interval ( CI) as 18.0-21.2 months], 74.28%, 29.22% and 17.92%. Of 225 patients with duodenal papillary cancer, 185 cases were followed up for 3.0-68.9 months, with a median follow-up time of 36.7 months. The median overall survival time, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were unreached, 94.92%, 78.87% and 66.94%. Of 156 patients with distal bile duct cancer, 110 cases were followed up for 3.0-69.5 months, with a median follow-up time of 25.9 months. The median overall survival time, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 50.6 months (95% CI as 31.4 to not reached), 90.37%, 56.11% and 48.84%. Of 134 patients with ampullary cancer, 100 cases were followed up for 3.0-67.8 months, with a median follow-up time of 28.1 months. The median overall survival time, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 62.4 months (95% CI as 37.8 months to not reached), 90.57%, 64.98% and 62.22%. Of 52 patients with duodenal cancer, 38 cases were followed up for 3.0-69.5 months, with a median follow-up time of 26.2 months. The median overall survival time, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 52.0 months (95% CI as 30.6 months to not reached), 93.75%, 62.24% and 40.01%.There was a significant difference in overall survival after PD between patients with different locations of periampullary malignancies ( χ2=163.76, P<0.05). Conclusions:PD is safe and feasible in a high-volume pancreas center, but the incidence of overall postoperative complications remains high. With the increase of PD volume, the incidence of overall postoperative complications has significantly decreased. There is a significant difference in overall survival time after PD among patients with different locations of periampullary malignancies. The 5-year survival rate after PD for duodenal papillary cancer, ampullary cancer, duodenal cancer and distal bile duct cancer is relatively high, whereas for pancreatic cancer is low.

Objective:To compare the short-term outcomes and long-term survivals of radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy(RAMPS) and conventional distal pancreatectomy(CDP).Methods:A total of consecutive 304 patients including 176 male patients and 128 female patients who underwent RAMPS or CDP at Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University from May 2013 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The median age was 64.1 years old (range:39 to 85 years old). There were 101 patients underwent RAMPS and 203 patients underwent CDP. Measurement data with skewed distribution were presented as ( M( Q R)) and comparison between groups was evaluated with the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Count data were analyzed using the χ 2 test or Fisher exact probability. Survival analyses were performed by the Kaplan-Meier method after a one to one propensity score matching(PSM) conducted to balance several variables. Results:An eighty-one to eighty-one patients were enrolled after PSM. The overall morbidity was 32.1%(26/81)and there were no in-hospital mortalities in RAMPS. The median operative time was 225(95)minutes in RAMPS, not significantly longer as compared with CDP(210(130)minutes, P=0.916). The median greatest tumor diameter in RAMPS was 4.0(2.3)cm, not significantly larger as compared with CDP(4.5(2.2)cm, P=0.520).There were 34.6%(28/81)patients who presented with T4 tumors by 8 th AJCC TNM staging system in RAMPS, which was not significantly different as compared with CDP(39.5%, χ 2=0.574, P=0.902). The median number of examined lymph nodes was 9(9), not significantly greater in RAMPS as compared with CDP(10(11), P=0.992). The rate of negative posterior margins using 1 mm rule in RAMPS was 70.3%(52/74), significantly higher as compared with CDP(53.6%(30/56), χ 2=3.817, P=0.044). The overall R0 resection rate was 44.6% (33/74) in RAMPS and 37.5% (21/56) in CDP, which was not significantly different(χ 2=0.663, P=0.474). The median overall survival was 16.5 months for RAMPS, 25.2 months for CDP, and there was no statistical difference between two groups( P=0.981). The median overall survival was 16.0 months for patients with preoperative CA19-9≥300 U/ml who underwent RAMPS, 10.1 months for patients who underwent CDP, without significant difference( P=0.082). Conclusions:RAMPS can improve the rate of negative posterior margins by 1 mm rule and probably increase R0 resection rate and the harvest of lymph nodes. RAMPS may be beneficial to some patients with preoperative CA19-9≥300 U/ml.

Objective:To compare the short-term outcomes and long-term survivals of radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy(RAMPS) and conventional distal pancreatectomy(CDP).Methods:A total of consecutive 304 patients including 176 male patients and 128 female patients who underwent RAMPS or CDP at Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University from May 2013 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The median age was 64.1 years old (range:39 to 85 years old). There were 101 patients underwent RAMPS and 203 patients underwent CDP. Measurement data with skewed distribution were presented as ( M( Q R)) and comparison between groups was evaluated with the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Count data were analyzed using the χ 2 test or Fisher exact probability. Survival analyses were performed by the Kaplan-Meier method after a one to one propensity score matching(PSM) conducted to balance several variables. Results:An eighty-one to eighty-one patients were enrolled after PSM. The overall morbidity was 32.1%(26/81)and there were no in-hospital mortalities in RAMPS. The median operative time was 225(95)minutes in RAMPS, not significantly longer as compared with CDP(210(130)minutes, P=0.916). The median greatest tumor diameter in RAMPS was 4.0(2.3)cm, not significantly larger as compared with CDP(4.5(2.2)cm, P=0.520).There were 34.6%(28/81)patients who presented with T4 tumors by 8 th AJCC TNM staging system in RAMPS, which was not significantly different as compared with CDP(39.5%, χ 2=0.574, P=0.902). The median number of examined lymph nodes was 9(9), not significantly greater in RAMPS as compared with CDP(10(11), P=0.992). The rate of negative posterior margins using 1 mm rule in RAMPS was 70.3%(52/74), significantly higher as compared with CDP(53.6%(30/56), χ 2=3.817, P=0.044). The overall R0 resection rate was 44.6% (33/74) in RAMPS and 37.5% (21/56) in CDP, which was not significantly different(χ 2=0.663, P=0.474). The median overall survival was 16.5 months for RAMPS, 25.2 months for CDP, and there was no statistical difference between two groups( P=0.981). The median overall survival was 16.0 months for patients with preoperative CA19-9≥300 U/ml who underwent RAMPS, 10.1 months for patients who underwent CDP, without significant difference( P=0.082). Conclusions:RAMPS can improve the rate of negative posterior margins by 1 mm rule and probably increase R0 resection rate and the harvest of lymph nodes. RAMPS may be beneficial to some patients with preoperative CA19-9≥300 U/ml.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasmas (PNENs) are classified into functioning & non-functioning tumors. The radical surgery is the only effective way for the cure & long-term survival. For the locoregional resectable tumors, the surgical resection is the first choice of treatment; the surgical procedures include local resection (enucleation) and standard resection. For the insulinomas and non-functioning tumors less than 2 cm, local resection (enucleation),distal pancreatectomy with spleen-preservation or segmental pancreatectomy are the commonly selected procedures. The radical resections with regional lymph nodes dissection, including pancreaticoduodenectomy, distal pancreatectomy and middle segmental pancreatectomy, should be applied for tumors more than 2 cm or malignant ones. For the locoregional advanced or unresectable functioning tumors, debulking surgery should be performed and more than 90% of the lesions including primary and metastatic tumors should be removed; for the non-functioning tumors, if complicated with biliary & digestive tract obstruction or hemorrhage, the primary tumors should be resected. The liver is the most frequent site of metastases for PNENs and three types of metastases are defined. For typeⅠmetastasis, patients are recommended for surgery if there are no contraindications; For type II metastasis, debulking surgery should be applied and at least 90% of metastatic lesions should be resected, and for patients with primary tumors removed and no extrahepatic metastases, or for patients with well-differentiated (G1/G2) tumors, liver transplantation may be indicated. For the unresectable type Ⅲ metastasis, multiple adjuvant therapies should be chosen.
Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; surgery ; Pancreatectomy ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; surgery

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and surgical management of adult choledochal cyst.Methods The clinical data of 58 adult patients with congenital choledochal cyst who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 1997 to December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were diangosed by the B ultrasonography,computed tomography (CT),Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Surgical procedures were selected according to the diagnosis and Todani classification.All data were analyzed using the t test or chi-square test.Results The accurate rates of B sonography,CT,MRCP and ERCP were 78％ (45/58),92％ (23/25),9/9 and 5/5,respectively.Forty-one patients underwent complete excision of the cyst + hepaticojejunostomy (2 patients were converted from laparotomy due to abdominal adhesions),2 underwent resection of the cyst and involed hepatic segments + hepaticojejunostomy,8 underwent laparoscopic excision of the cyst + hepaticojejunostomy,1 underwent left hemihepatectomy,3 underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy ( including partial hepatectomy in 1 patient),2 underwent common bile duct exploration + cholecystectomy due to acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis,1 underwent external drainage of choledochal cyst due to advanced malignance.The mean operation time and postoperative duration of hospital stay of patients who received open and laparoscopic excision of the cyst and hepaticojejunostomy were (235 ± 70) minutes,(320 ± 50) minutes,and ( 10.0 ± 2.3 ) days,( 12.6 ±6.6) days,respectively,with significant differences between the 2 groups (t =3.157,2.162,P ＜ 0.05).The postoperative morbidities of patients who received open and laparoscopic excision of the cyst and hepaticojejunostomy were 18％ (7/39) and 3/8,respectively,with no significant difference (x2 =1.515,P ＞ 0.05 ).Canceration of the choledochal cyst was observed in 6 patients( 10％ ).No perioperative mortality was observed,and the operative complication rate was 24％ (14/58).The duration of the follow up ranged from 1 to 15 years,no severe long-term complications were observed in patients with benign lesions.Four of the 6 patients with malignancy died in 1 year after operation,the other 2 patients survived for 3 years and 5 years,respectively.Conclusions Abdominal B ultrasonography should be the first choice for diagnosing adult congenital choledochal cyst,while MRCP is the gold standard.Surgical intervention should be timely considered once diagnosed. Complete excision of the cyst combined with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is the first choice of treatment.

Objective To summarize the experience in the diagnosis and treatment of solid pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas. Methods Ten consecutive patients who underwent surgery with pathologically confirmed solid pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas between October 2005 and December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Results All of the 10 patients were female and the median age at diagnosis was 24 years (range, 11 -39 years). Abdominal discomfort or pain were the most common presenting symptoms. 4 patients had palpable abdominal mass at physical examination. The tumors appeared on ultrasonography and/or CT, MRI as solid or cystic masses. The preoperative serum biochemical parameters and tumor markers level were within the normal range. All the patients underwent surgical treatment. The tumors were located in the head/neck (n = 6) or the distal part (n = 4) of the pancreas. The surgical procedures included enucleation (n=3) , distal pancreatectomy (n=3 , two with preservation of the spleen, one combined with splenectomy, distal gastrectomy and partial colectomy) , segmental pancreatectomy with pancreaticojejunostomy (n=3) and pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 1). Pancreatic fistula (n = 2) was observed postoperatively and resolved with conservative treatment. The median resected tumor size was 5. 9 cm. All patients were alive and remained recurrence and metastasis free after a median followk-up of 19. 2 months (range, 8～42 months). Conclusions Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas was rare neoplasm occurred predominantly in young women with low malignant potential. Aggressive resection should be attempted and could result in excellent prognosis.

Objective To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of malignant pancreatic endocrine tumor. Methods The clinical data of 38 patients with malignant pancreatic endocrine tumor who had been admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 1969 to December 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. Of all patients, 6 were with insulinoma, 23 with pancreatic polypeptide tumor, 4 with glucagonoma and 5 with pancreatic carcinoid. Results All patients except 1 with insulinoma were found with pancreatic lesion by imaging examination. The resection rate was 87% (33/38). Pathological examination found 7 patients with liver metastasis, 5 with lymph node metastasis, 1 with tumor thrombus in vessels and lymphatic vessels, and 28 with local invasion. Twenty-four patients were followed up, and neither recurrence nor metastasis was found except 1 patient with insulinoma who received reoperation for local recurrence and 1 patient with pancreatic carcinoid who received radiofrequency ablation for liver metastasis. Conclusions The diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine tumor mainly depends on imaging examination. The malignancy of pancreatic endocrine tumor is determined after the comprehensive analysis of preoperative imaging findings, intraoperative examination, post-operative pathological examination and the data obtained during follow-up. The malignant pancreatic endocrine tumor should be managed actively by resection because of its relatively low malignancy, high operative resectability and relatively good prognosis.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of hypertonie saline enhanced radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of liver cancer. Methods The clinical data of 42 patients with primary liver cancer (n = 28) or metastatic liver eancer (n = 14) who had been admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2001 to December 2007 were collected. Forty-eight lesions were detected with a diameter ranging from 1.2 cm to 7.5 cm. RFA electrode and 20G needle were pricked into the target lesion under the guidance of B ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) through percutaneoas puncture or open approaches. An amount of 5-10 ml hypertonie saline was infused through the needle at regular intervals during RFA. All patients were followed up for 3-79 months. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and CT scanning were performed postoperatively to determine the efficacy of RFA. The levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) before and after treatment were compared using t test, and the survival of the patients were analyzed using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve. Results The AFP expression changed to negative in 14 out of the 18 AFP-positive patients, with statistical difference (t =7.703, P <0.05). The complete necrosis rate of tumors was 94% (45/48), and the necrosis rate of tumors with diameter of ≤4.0 cm reached 100% (35/35). The incidence of complication was 5% (2/42). No perioperative mortality occurred. The 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rates were 91%, 85% and 70%, respectively. Conclusions Hypertonic saline enhanced RFA in the treatment of liver cancer was proved to be safe and effective.