Preservation of portal/superior mesenteric vein aids outcomes in pancreatic cancer surgery

Clinical outcomes from a study of 113 pancreatic cancer patients indicate that preserving the portal/superior mesenteric vein during pancreaticoduodenectomy results in similar oncologic outcomes to resection, with better vessel-functional outcomes. While there was no significant difference in R0 resection rates, overall survival, or recurrence-free survival, the preservation group experienced significantly lower rates of vein stenosis post-surgery. These findings suggest that routine vein resection may be unnecessary if R0 resection is likely.