Safety of robotic cholecystectomy as index training procedure: the UK experience.

Aims: To evaluate the safety profile of robotic cholecystectomy performed within the United Kingdom (UK) Robotic Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) training programme.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation of prospectively collected data from eleven centres participating in the UK Robotic HPB training programme was conducted. All adult patients undergoing robotic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone disease or gallbladder polyp were considered.

Position statement on the definition, incidence, diagnosis and outcome of acute on chronic pancreatitis.

Background: Acute on chronic pancreatitis (ACP) is a relatively common condition, but there are significant gaps in our knowledge on the definition, incidence, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

Methods: A systematic review that followed PICO (Population; Intervention; Comparator; Outcome) recommendation for quantitative questions and PICo (Population, Phenomenon of Interest, Context) for qualitative research was done to answer 10 of the most relevant questions about ACP. Quality of evidence was judged by the GRADE criteria (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation).

The in situ near-total pancreatectomy (LIVOCADO procedure) for end-staged chronic pancreatitis.

Purpose: Total pancreatectomy for severe pain in end-stage chronic pancreatitis may be the only option, but with vascular involvement, this is usually too high risk and/or technically not feasible. The purpose of the study was to present the clinical outcomes of a novel procedure in severe chronic pancreatitis complicated by uncontrollable pain and vascular involvement.

Methods: We describe an in situ near-total pancreatectomy that avoids peripancreatic vascular dissection (Livocado procedure) and report on surgical and clinical outcomes.

International consensus guidelines on interventional endoscopy in chronic pancreatitis. Recommendations from the working group for the international consensus guidelines for chronic pancreatitis in collaboration with the International Association of Pancreatology, the American Pancreatic Association, the Japan Pancreas Society, and European Pancreatic Club.

Background/objectives: This paper is part of the international consensus guidelines on chronic pancreatitis, presenting for interventional endoscopy.

Methods: An international working group with experts on interventional endoscopy evaluated 26 statements generated from evidence on 9 clinically relevant questions. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to evaluate the level of evidence.

International consensus guidelines on the role of diagnostic endoscopic ultrasound in the management of chronic pancreatitis. Recommendations from the working group for the international consensus guidelines for chronic pancreatitis in collaboration with the International Association of Pancreatology, the American Pancreatic Association, the Japan Pancreas Society, and European Pancreatic Club.

Background: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a complex inflammatory disease with variable presentations and outcomes. This statement is part of the international consensus guidelines on CP, specifically on the diagnostic role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).

Methods: An international working group with experts on the role of diagnostic EUS in the management of CP from the major pancreas societies (IAP, APA, JPS, and EPC) evaluated two key statements generated from evidence on two questions deemed to be the most clinically relevant.

International consensus guidelines on surveillance for pancreatic cancer in chronic pancreatitis. Recommendations from the working group for the international consensus guidelines for chronic pancreatitis in collaboration with the International Association of Pancreatology, the American Pancreatic Association, the Japan Pancreas Society, and European Pancreatic Club.

Background: Patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) have an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. We present the international consensus guidelines for surveillance of pancreatic cancer in CP.

Methods: The international group evaluated 10 statements generated from evidence on 5 questions relating to pancreatic cancer in CP.

Guidelines on the histopathology of chronic pancreatitis. Recommendations from the working group for the international consensus guidelines for chronic pancreatitis in collaboration with the International Association of Pancreatology, the American Pancreatic Association, the Japan Pancreas Society, and the European Pancreatic Club.

Background: Chronic pancreatitis is a complex multifactorial fibro-inflammatory disease. Consensus guidelines are needed for the histopathological evaluation of non-autoimmune chronic pancreatitis (CP).

Methods: An international working group with experts on the histopathology of CP evaluated 15 statements generated from evidence on seven key clinically relevant questions.

The role of total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis: A report from the International Consensus Guidelines in chronic pancreatitis.

Background: Advances in our understanding of total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) have been made. We aimed to define indications and outcomes of TPIAT.

Methods: Expert physician-scientists from North America, Asia, and Europe reviewed the literature to address six questions selected by the writing group as high priority topics.

Pancreas-specific plasma amylase for assessment and diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis: New insights on an old topic.

Background: Pancreatic function testing and imaging are used to inform the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, but most of these methods are time- and cost-consuming or lack diagnostic accuracy.

Objective: We investigated the utility of pancreas-specific plasma amylase for assessment and diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis.

Design: This was a prospective study of 121 consecutive patients with chronic pancreatitis and a reference population of 94 healthy controls.

Guidelines for the Diagnostic Cross Sectional Imaging and Severity Scoring of Chronic Pancreatitis.

The paper presents the international guidelines for imaging evaluation of chronic pancreatitis. The following consensus was obtained: Computed tomography (CT) is often the most appropriate initial imaging modality for evaluation of patients with suspected chronic pancreatitis (CP) depicting most changes in pancreatic morphology. CT is also indicated to exclude other potential intraabdominal pathologies presenting with symptoms similar to CP.

The diagnostic value of Rosemont and Japanese diagnostic criteria for 'indeterminate', 'suggestive', 'possible' and 'early' chronic pancreatitis.

Background: Longitudinal data are lacking to support consensus criteria for diagnosing early chronic pancreatitis.

Methods: Retrospective single centre study of the initial evidence for chronic pancreatitis (CP), with reassessment after follow-up (January 2003-November 2016).

Results: 807 patients were previously diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis.

International consensus statements on early chronic Pancreatitis. Recommendations from the working group for the international consensus guidelines for chronic pancreatitis in collaboration with The International Association of Pancreatology, American Pancreatic Association, Japan Pancreas Society, PancreasFest Working Group and European Pancreatic Club.

Background: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive inflammatory disorder currently diagnosed by morphologic features. In contrast, an accurate diagnosis of Early CP is not possible using imaging criteria alone. If this were possible and early treatment instituted, the later, irreversible features and complications of CP could possibly be prevented.

Guidelines for the understanding and management of pain in chronic pancreatitis.

Abdominal pain is the foremost complication of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Pain can be related to recurrent or chronic inflammation, local complications or neurogenic mechanisms with corresponding changes in the nervous systems. Both pain intensity and the frequency of pain attacks have been shown to reduce quality of life in patients with CP.

Survival of patients with or without symptoms undergoing potentially curative resections for primary lung cancer.

Background: Numerous historical screening programs to detect lung cancer have been undertaken. With technologic advances, complimentary diagnostic tests have been developed; however, only the National Lung Cancer Trial has demonstrated increased survival. Following the success of this study, screening programs are being trialled in several countries.