Publications by authors named "Ulrich Wellner"

Background/aim: Predictors of recurrence following resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not fully established. This study investigated potential risk factors and prognostic scores for this situation.

Patients And Methods: In 297 patients undergoing resection of HCC between 2000 and 2021, risk scores and potential additional risk factors for intrahepatic and extrahepatic recurrence were assessed.

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Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the different phases of the learning curve for robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP) in international expert centers.

Summary Background Data: RDP is an emerging minimally invasive approach; however, only limited, mostly single center data are available on its safe implementation, including the learning curve.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing elective RDP from 16 expert centers across three continents were included to assess the learning curve.

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Article Synopsis
  • A new surgery technique called minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy (MIPD) is being studied as a possible better option than the traditional open surgery (OPD) for pancreas problems.
  • Researchers looked at data from hospitals in North America, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden from 2014 to 2020 and found that MIPD is used differently in each country.
  • They discovered that more patients were getting MIPD over time, especially in North America and the Netherlands, but there were also higher risks of complications in some cases.
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Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma located in the pancreatic body might require a portomesenteric venous resection (PVR), but data regarding surgical risks after distal pancreatectomy (DP) with PVR are sparse. Insight into additional surgical risks of DP-PVR could support preoperative counseling and intraoperative decision making. This study aimed to provide insight into the surgical outcome of DP-PVR, including its potential risk elevation over standard DP.

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Background: The efficacy and safety of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy have been confirmed by randomized trials, but current patient selection and outcome of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy in large international cohorts is unknown. This study aimed to compare the use and outcome of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy in North America, the Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden.

Methods: All patients in the 4 Global Audits on Pancreatic Surgery Group (GAPASURG) registries who underwent minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy or open distal pancreatectomy during 2014-2020 were included.

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Background: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are premalignant cystic neoplasms of the pancreas (CNPs), which can progress to invasive IPMN and pancreatic cancer. The available literature has shown controversial results regarding prognosis and clinical outcomes after the resection of invasive IPMN.

Aims: This study aims to characterize the oncologic outcomes and metastatic progression pattern after the resection of non-metastatic invasive IPMN.

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Background: Cancer arising in the periampullary region can be anatomically classified in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA), duodenal adenocarcinoma (DAC), and ampullary carcinoma. Based on histopathology, ampullary carcinoma is currently subdivided in intestinal (AmpIT), pancreatobiliary (AmpPB), and mixed subtypes. Despite close anatomical resemblance, it is unclear how ampullary subtypes relate to the remaining periampullary cancers in tumor characteristics and behavior.

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Background: The method of transecting the pancreatic parenchyma during pancreatic resection may influence the rate of complications, including pancreatic fistula and bleeding. The objective of this study was to compare the transection of the pancreatic parenchyma during pancreatoduodenectomy with monopolar electrocautery versus scalpel in terms of postoperative complications.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with open pancreatoduodenectomy from the German DGAV StuDoQ|Pancreas registry (January 2013 to December 2021) was performed.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study compares the outcomes of robot-assisted and laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy across 50 European centers, focusing on major morbidity and mortality rates among patients from 2009 to 2020.
  • - The results show no significant differences in major morbidity and 30-day mortality rates between the two surgical methods, but robot-assisted surgery had lower conversion rates and better lymph node retrieval.
  • - Laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy had advantages like shorter operation times and lower rates of postoperative pancreatic complications, suggesting it may be the preferable approach in certain aspects.
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Introduction: Pancreatic acinar cell carcinomas are rare malignant neoplasms. High-quality evidence about the best treatment strategy is lacking. We present the case of a 52-year-old male with a BRAF -mutated PACC who experienced a complete remission after chemotherapy with BRAF-/MEK-inhibitors.

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Background/objectives: Pancreatic surgery may have a long-lasting effect on patients' health status and quality of life (QoL). We aim to evaluate patient-reported outcomes (PRO) 3 months after pancreatic surgery.

Methods: Patients scheduled for pancreatic surgery were enrolled in a prospective trial at five German centers.

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Background: Patient selection for lymphadenectomy remains a controversial aspect in the treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs), given the growing importance of parenchyma-sparing resections and minimally invasive procedures.

Methods: This population-based analysis was derived from the German Cancer Registry Group during the period from 2000 to 2021. Patients with upfront resected non-functional non-metastatic pNETs were included.

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Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer type characterized by a marked desmoplastic tumor stroma that is formed under the influence of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Data from mouse models of pancreatic cancer have revealed that transcriptionally active p73 (TAp73) impacts the TGF-β pathway through activation of Smad4 and secretion of biglycan (Bgn). However, whether this pathway also functions in human PDAC cells has not yet been studied.

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Background: The introduction of modern chemotherapy a decade ago has led to increased use of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A recent North American study demonstrated increased use of NAT and improved operative outcomes in patients with PDAC. The aims of this study were to compare the use of NAT and short-term outcomes in patients with PDAC undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) among registries from the US and Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

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Background: Using national registries, we aimed to evaluate oncologic textbook outcomes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients.

Methods: Patients with stage I to III pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and surgical resection from 2010 to 2020 in the US and Germany were identified using the National Cancer Database and National Cancer Registries data. The surgical-oncologic textbook outcome was defined as complete oncologic resection with no residual tumor and ≥12 harvested lymph nodes.

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Objective: To define the role of adjuvant therapy in duodenal adenocarcinoma (DAC) and intestinal subtype ampullary carcinoma (iAC).

Background: DAC and iAC share a similar histologic differentiation but the benefit of adjuvant therapy remains unclear.

Methods: Patients undergoing curative intent surgical resection for DAC and iAC between 2010 and 2021 at 5 high-volume centers were included.

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Purpose: Chemotherapy is pivotal in the multimodal treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Technical advances unveiled a high degree of inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity. We hypothesized that intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) impacts response to gemcitabine treatment and demands specific targeting of resistant subclones.

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Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a fatal disease due to early metastatic spread, late diagnosis and the lack of efficient therapies. A major driver of cancer progression and hurdle to successful treatment is transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Recent data from pancreatic cancer mouse models showed that transcriptionally active p73 (TAp73), a p53 family member, inhibits tumor progression through promoting tumor suppressive canonical TGF-β/Smad signaling, while preventing non-canonical TGF-β signaling through extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2.

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Background/objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of perioperative fluid administration in pancreatic surgery.

Methods: Patients who underwent pancreatic resections were identified from our institution's prospectively maintained database. Fluid balances were recorded intraoperatively and at 24hr postoperatively.

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Objective: The aim of this study is to define and assess Ideal Outcome in the national or multicenter registries of North America, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

Background: Assessing outcomes after pancreatoduodenectomy among centers and countries requires a broad evaluation that cannot be captured by a single parameter. Previously, 2 composite outcome measures (textbook outcome and optimal pancreatic surgery) for pancreatoduodenectomy have been described from Europe and the United States.

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Background: The oncological safety of minimally invasive surgery has been questioned for several abdominal cancers. Concerns also exist regarding the use of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer as randomised trials are lacking.

Methods: In this international randomised non-inferiority trial, we recruited adults with resectable pancreatic cancer from 35 centres in 12 countries.

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Background: This multicenter study analyzed the relationship between preoperative symptoms and postsurgical outcomes utilizing the German national DGAV StuDoQ|Pancreas database.

Methods: This retrospective study included 2,643 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients undergoing pancreatic head resection from 2013-2017 within the German pancreatic surgery registry (DGAV StuDoQ|Pancreas). The association of preoperative symptoms with overall survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis.

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Objective: The available literature regarding outcome after pancreatic resection in locally advanced non-functional pNEN (LA-pNEN) is sparse. Therefore, this study evaluates the current survival outcomes and prognostic factors in after resection of LA-pNEN.

Materials And Methods: This population-based analysis was derived from 17 German cancer registries from 2000 to 2019.

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