Keywords Whipple's procedure - incomplete intestinal rotation - pancreatic cancer - intestinal
nonrotation
Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the only curative option for the few patients of pancreatic
cancer who present at a resectable stage. However, it is a complex surgery with a
high morbidity rate.[1 ] Presence of anatomical variations, such as intestinal malrotation, which by itself
is very rare in adults and replaced right hepatic artery (rRHA) can increase the difficulty
of this already challenging procedure. This situation has not been routinely discussed
in medical literature owing to its rarity.[2 ]
[3 ]
We report two cases encountered in our department with pancreatic head adenocarcinoma
(PDAC) who underwent PD for a PDAC in presence of intestinal rotational abnormalities,
one of whom also had an rRHA. We emphasize the importance of preoperative imaging
to identify these anatomical variations in intestinal rotation that can affect this
complex surgery and the measures taken during surgery to ensure a safe pancreaticoduodenectomy
in presence of intestinal malrotation.
Case Reports
Case 1
A 65-year-old gentleman with no comorbidities presented with progressive jaundice,
anorexia, and weight loss since 4 to 5 weeks. He had no similar complaints in past.
His clinical examination apart from icterus was normal. Investigations revealed a
direct hyperbilirubinemia of 3.3 mg/dL. Ultrasound revealed a hypoechoic lesion in
head of pancreas 3 cm × 3 cm in size with dilated common bile duct and intrahepatic
biliary radical dilatation.
A pancreatic protocol contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan was performed
which confirmed the ultrasound findings as shown in [Fig. 1 ]. In addition to this, it showed a replaced right hepatic artery arising from superior
mesenteric artery (SMA) as shown in [Fig. 2 ], and a reversal of relationship of superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and SMA, that
is, the artery to the right of vein was seen as shown in [Fig. 3 ]. The complete vascular anatomy is schematically shown in [Fig. 4 ]. The duodenojejunal flexure was in midline. There was no significant lymphadenopathy,
no liver lesions, and no free fluid. These findings were suggestive of pancreatic
head adenocarcinoma with incomplete intestinal rotation and an rRHA arising from SMA.
Carbohydrate antigen 19–9 (CA 19–9) was elevated at 196 U/mL (normal: < 37 U/mL) and
Carcinoembryonic antigen was normal. A pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy
was planned for the patient.
Fig. 1 Axial contrast enhanced computed tomography scan image showing mass in the head of
pancreas (yellow arrow) and its relation with superior mesenteric artery (blue arrow)
and superior mesenteric vein (red arrow).
Fig. 2 Coronal contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan arterial phase image showing replaced
right hepatic artery (yellow arrow) arising from superior mesenteric artery.
Fig. 3 Coronal contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan portal venous phase with multiplanar
reformation image showing the reversal of relation between superior mesenteric vein
(blue arrow) and superior mesenteric artery (yellow arrow). The red arrow shows the
replaced right hepatic artery.
Fig. 4 Schematic diagram showing the vascular anatomy in our patient with superior mesenteric
artery to the right of superior mesenteric vein. The plane for the retropancreatic
tunnel is clearly showing the portal vein at superior end and superior mesenteric
artery at the lower limit of the plane.
During surgery, the small bowel loops were found clumped in right upper abdomen and
a Kocher's maneuver was carefully performed after interbowel adhesiolysis to free
all the loops till the third part of duodenum. SMA and SMV were then identified and
looped at the lower border of pancreas. Hepatoduodenal ligament dissection was then
performed to identify the replaced right hepatic artery and the main portal vein.
The retropancreatic tunnel was created in a plane above the portal vein superiorly
and the SMA inferiorly, and then the plane was widened till the area above SMV ([Fig. 5 ]). Uncinate dissection, duodenojejunal flexure mobilization, and standard lymphadenectomy
were then performed, followed by division of jejunum, first part of duodenum common
bile duct and pancreas. The vascular relations can be seen after resection completion
in [Fig. 6 ].
Fig. 5 Intraoperative image showing the white loop lifting the pancreas to create the retropancreatic
tunnel. The relations of the entire superior mesenteric vein (black, green, and yellow
arrow) can be seen to the superior mesenteric artery (blue arrow). The part shown
by green arrow was posterior to superior mesenteric artery.
Fig. 6 Intraoperative image showing the replaced right hepatic artery (yellow arrow), reverse
relation of superior mesenteric vein (star) and superior mesenteric artery (circle).
The transacted end of pancreas (white arrow) can also be seen.
Reconstruction was performed as the modified Blumgart technique of duct to mucosa
pancreatico-jejunostomy with 5–0 polypropylene, single layer interrupted hepatico
jejunostomy using 4–0 polypropylene and antecolic stapled posterior gastrojejunostomy.
The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on the postoperative day 8.
Histopathological examination showed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma confined
to pancreas with all margins free and single peripancreatic node out of 18 was positive.
The patient is doing well at 4-month follow up on adjuvant 5-fluorouracil based chemotherapy.
Case 2
A 56-year-old gentleman with no comorbidities presented with progressive jaundice,
anorexia, and weight loss of 6 to 8 weeks of duration. He had no similar complaints
in past. His clinical examination apart from icterus was unremarkable. Investigations
revealed direct hyperbilirubinemia of 10.3 mg/dL. Ultrasound abdomen revealed a hypoechoic
lesion in head of pancreas 4 cm × 3 cm in size with dilated common bile duct and intrahepatic
biliary radical dilatation.
A pancreatic protocol CECT scan was performed which confirmed the ultrasound findings.
In addition to this, there was intestinal nonrotation with entire small bowel on right
of abdomen and large bowel on left side. Cecum and hepatic flexure was in midline.
SMA was seen coursing between the jejunal and ileal branch of SMV and to right of
SMV as shown in [Fig. 7 ]. There was no significant lymphadenopathy, liver lesions, or free fluid. These findings
were suggestive of pancreatic head adenocarcinoma with intestinal nonrotation. CA
19–9 was elevated at 237 U/mL (normal: < 37 U/mL) and Carcinoembryonic antigen was
normal. A pancreaticoduodenectomy was planned for the patient.
Fig. 7 Coronal contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan portal venous phase image showing
the ileal (yellow arrow) and jejunal branch (red arrow) of superior mesenteric vein
and superior mesenteric artery (white arrow) behind and to the right of superior mesenteric
vein.
During surgery, the small bowel loops were clumped in right upper abdomen and the
duodenum was vertically linear instead of the usual C loop configuration, with duodenojejunal
flexure on the right side. Kocher's maneuver was performed ([Fig. 8 ]). The infracolic SMA first approach helps to identify the vascular structures, as
well as the replaced hepatic artery from SMA early in surgery, thereby reducing bleeding
and it was our approach in this case. SMA and both ileal and jejunal branches of SMV
were identified and looped at the lower border of pancreas. Inferior pancreaticodeuodenal
vessels were identified to its origin and then divided. Hepatoduodenal ligament dissection
was then performed. The retropancreatic tunnel was created in a plane above the portal
vein superiorly and the SMV inferiorly, and then the plane was widened till the area
above SMA and then above ileal branch of SMV, as we kept dissecting from left to right
([Fig. 9 ]). Uncinate dissection, duodenojejunal flexure mobilization, and standard lymphadenectomy
were then performed followed by division of jejunum at a slightly longer distance
from the duodenojejunal flexure to gain mobility of mesentery to allow length for
anastomosis, division of first part of duodenum, common bile duct, and pancreas. The
vascular relations can be seen after the resection in [Fig. 10 ].
Fig. 8 Intraoperative image showing the small bowel loops clumped on right upper abdomen
and the cecum and hepatic flexure in midline suggestive of nonrotation.
Fig. 9 Intraoperative image showing the pancreatic tunnel along the ileal branch of superior
mesenteric vein (black arrow) with the superior mesenteric artery coursing posterior
to the vein on its right. The jejunal branch (yellow arrow) is to the right of the
artery suggestive of nonrotation.
Fig. 10 Intraoperative image after specimen resection showing the vascular relations of the
superior mesenteric vessels with its ileal branch (yellow arrow), jejunal branch (black
arrow), and SMA in between (white arrow).
Reconstruction was performed by bringing the jejunal loop up from the right paracolic
side and not in the conventional retrocolic fashion. The modified Blumgart technique
of duct to mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy was performed with 5–0 polypropylene, single
layer interrupted hepatico jejunostomy was done using 4–0 polypropylene and stapled
posterior gastrojejunostomy was done. The patient had a postoperative chyle leak and
superficial surgical site infection which was managed conservatively and he was discharged
on the postoperative day 25. Histopathological examination showed tumor confined to
pancreas with all margins free and no node out of 16 was positive. The patient is
doing well at 3-year follow-up with no adjuvant therapy.
Discussion
Pancreatic cancers are aggressive cancers and only 20 to 25% can be offered curative
treatment in the form of PD as most of them present at an advanced stage. However,
PD is a complex surgery with high morbidity rate of 27 to 47%.[1 ] The significant role of accurate preoperative imaging and surgical planning to help
patient selection and reduce morbidity has already been published.[4 ] Even in the two cases described above, preoperative planning on CECT scan was very
important, as it helped us identify the anatomical anomalies present, and thereby
plan the two key steps in surgery: (1) the modification of retropancreatic tunnel
creation and (2) the modification in orientation of the jejunal loop for a tension
free anastomosis.
Embryologically, the four phases of gut rotation around SMA axis include herniation
at 5 to 6 weeks of embryonic life, 270° counter-clockwise rotation at 6 to 10 weeks
followed by reduction into abdominal cavity, and lastly mesenteric fixation which
occurs at 12 weeks. Malrotation encompasses the errors at any of the above four steps
which predominantly can be nonrotation, incomplete rotation, reverse rotation, and
para-duodenal hernia. This can be for small intestinal preaxial limb, or the ileum + large
intestine postaxial limb, or both. Asymptomatic intestinal malrotation is a very rare
finding in adults. In a retrospective review, the incidence of intestinal malrotation
in adults undergoing hepatobiliary surgery was 3 out of 1,220 cases (0.2%).[3 ]
[5 ]
Most of these rotational abnormalities present as duodenal obstruction, cecal volvulus,
paraduodenal hernia, and/or intestinal gangrene in the first month of life, and 90%
of the cases present in the first year of life. A few recent reports do suggest a
higher percentage of presentation at older age. In adults, it can present as recurrent
central abdominal pain, diarrhea, malrotation-related pancreatitis due to chronic
duodenal obstruction, and volvulus.[6 ] However, an asymptomatic presentation with incidental detection on imaging as seen
in our cases is very rare.[2 ]
[3 ]
[5 ]
[7 ] A detailed discussion of varied clinical presentations of intestinal malrotation
and their management is out of scope of this report. We shall now focus on the implications
of the various types of intestinal rotation abnormalities on PD.
The first point to be reemphasized in our cases is that whenever the relation between
SMV and SMA is reversed in imaging, there is presence of some form of intestinal rotation
abnormality.[8 ] One pancreatic anatomical variation found to be associated in these cases is a hypoplastic
uncinate process. This needs to be remembered and dissection performed accordingly.
Heterotaxy syndromes and preduodenal portal vein has also been associated with intestinal
rotation abnormalities and should be excluded.[9 ] Arterial and venous variations are common in presence of intestinal malrotation
and these should be looked for. Also, the vascular branches to jejunum arise from
the right of SMA rather than the left. These need to be preserved while doing adhesiolysis
of the nonrotated or malrotated large bowel from small bowel.[2 ]
[5 ]
Mateo et al has described significant vascular variations of celiac trunk, SMV, and
SMA in his series of three patients undergoing PD in presence of intestinal malrotation.[3 ] The vascular variations also affects the resectability of the tumor as has been
discussed in one of the published cases where the duodenal carcinoma was operated
in spite of arterial involvement, as the involvement was due to an anatomical variation
and not due to extensive disease.[4 ] When in these cases, a replaced right hepatic artery is present or there is variant
gastroduodenal or inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery, SMA-first approach is better
for quick delineation of the vessels at the inferior border of pancreas and earlier
vascular control.[10 ]
The relation of duodenum and cecum to the mesenteric vessels needs to be determined
as this will impact the key steps of duodenal mobilization, defining the lower border
of pancreas, and forming the anastomotic limb. Abnormal location of ligament of Treitz
can make the identification of vascular anatomical landmarks difficult during surgery,
especially the mesenteric vein which can lead to intraoperative bleeding complications.
These relations need to be studied in detail preoperatively on the imaging studies
to avoid such intraoperative difficulties.[2 ]
[3 ]
[11 ]
In reverse rotation, transverse colon passes posterior to the vessels and duodenum
is anterior. In complete nonrotation as in our second case, the mesentery is oriented
vertically downward and this will make the mobilization of intestine for anastomosis
very difficult.[3 ]
[5 ] Clumping of small bowel in the right abdomen in presence of incomplete intestinal
rotation makes Kocher's maneuver difficult. Complete division of Ladd's bands is required
in these cases to avoid peritoneal adhesions causing obstruction after surgery while,
at the same time, mesenteric vasculature to small bowel needs to be preserved to avoid
small bowel ischemia. A longer segment of small bowel needs resection in these cases
to create a tension-free anastomosis. Also, the anastomosis will be paracolic and
mobilization of hepatic flexure and cecum may be avoided in these cases.[2 ]
[3 ]
[5 ]
[11 ]
Thus, in these cases with intestinal malrotation, the key principles are to perform
an accurate preoperative imaging to identify the anomalies present, plan a surgical
approach based on the variations present which may be different from the conventional
sequence of steps while performing PD, and perform careful adhesiolysis to avoid intestinal
devascularization.[5 ]
[11 ]
[12 ] A useful technique is to follow each vessel to its origin to identify its variation
before division of the vessel to avoid ischemia to critical structures in PD. Jejunal
division may need modification to create a tension free anastomosis.[2 ]
[3 ]
Conclusion
PD in presence of intestinal malrotation can be technically challenging and needs
careful preoperative planning and intraoperative modifications of conventional steps
to avoid complications and achieve a good outcome.
