Effects of Secondary Left-sided Portal Hypertension on the Radical Operation Rate and Prognosis in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

Abstract

<br/><b>Objective</b>: To investigate the effects of secondary left-sided portal hypertension (LSPH) on the radical operationrate of patients with pancreatic cancer and systemically evaluate the prognosis of patients with LSPH secondaryto pancreatic cancer after radical surgery. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: The data of patients with pancreatic cancerwho underwent laparotomy over a 15-year period in Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA AirForce General Hospital from Jan. 1, 1997, to Jun. 30, 2012 was retrospectively reviewed. <br/><b>Results</b>: A total of 362patients with pancreatic cancer after laparotomy were selected, including 73 with LSPH and 289 without LSPH.Thirty-five patients with LSPH (47.9%) and 147 without non-LSPH (50.9%) respectively underwent radicaloperations. No significant difference was found between these two groups regarding the total resection rate andstratified radical resection rate according to different pathological types and cancer locations. The mean andmedian survival time of patients after radical operation in LSPH group were 13.9±1.3 months and 14.8 months,respectively, while those in non-LSPH group were 22.6±1.4 months and 18.4 months, respectively(P<0.05).<br/><b>Conclusions</b>: Radical operations for pancreatic cancer and secondary LSPH are safe and effective. Becausehigh-grade malignancy and poor prognosis are closely associated, the decision for radical surgery should bemade more meticulously for the patients with pancreatic cancer.