Pancreas-preserving total duodenectomy for advanced duodenal polyposis in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis: short and long-term outcomes

Background: In patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), extensive nonmalignant duodenal polyposis not amenable to endoscopic management demands surgical resection for which pancreas-preserving total duodenectomy (PPTD) offers a pancreatic parenchyma sparing approach. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study including consecutive patients who underwent PPTD for FAP. Reconstruction involved a Billroth II anastomosis with a short isolated jejunal limb to facilitate future endoscopic surveillance. Short and long-term outcomes were evaluated. Results: Overall, 30 patients underwent PPTD for Spigelman stage III (n = 6) or IV (n = 24). Sixteen patients experienced a severe complication (Clavien–Dindo grade III/IV) including postoperative pancreatic fistula (ISGPS grade B/C) in twelve. There was no all cause in-hospital and 90-day mortality. During follow-up (median 125 months), five patients developed acute pancreatitis, one new-onset diabetes and one exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. During endoscopic surveillance in 27 patients, jejunal adenomas were detected in 22 and advanced adenomas in 11. An additional surgical resection was required in four patients with extensive jejunal polyposis. None developed jejunal cancer. The 10-year overall survival rate was 93.3%. Conclusion: Postoperative morbidity after PPTD is substantial but on the long-term, rates of pancreatic insufficiencies are low. Most patients develop jejunal adenomas at follow-up, highlighting the need for endoscopic surveillance.