Portal/Superior Mesenteric Vein Reconstruction during Pancreatic Resection Using a Cryopreserved Arterial Homograft

BACKGROUND: Portal-superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV) resection during pancreatic resection has been widely applied in clinical practice. METHODS: From a prospective data base of pancreatic resections, patients undergoing PV/SMV resection and reconstruction with a cryopreserved arterial homograft were extracted with the aim of evaluating the safety, feasibility and reproducibility of the procedure. Data regarding patient demographics, preoperative staging, surgery, histopathology and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Five patients were extracted in the last year. Indications for this technique were type IV-V degree of vein involvement and a 3.5 cm median length of vein infiltration. Median operative and clamping times were satisfactory (385 and 27 min, respectively), postoperative outcomes were good and there was no graft infection, thrombosis or stenosis occurred postoperatively and during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The use of a cryopreserved arterial homograft for PV/SMV reconstruction after pancreatic resection seems to be a feasible, safe and easily reproducible surgical technique in high-volume specialized centers and can be added to the pool of surgical solutions in selected patients.