FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. PARA-AORTIC LYMPH NODES SAMPLING DURING PANCREATODUODENECTOMY FOR PANCREATIC CANCER.

BACKGROUND: Para-aortic lymph nodes involvement in pancreatic head cancer has been described as an independent adverse prognostic factor. To avoid futile pancreatic resection, we systematically perform para-aortic lymphadenectomy as a first step.

AIMS: To describe our technique for para-aortic lymphadenectomy.

METHODS: A 77-year-old female patient, with jaundice and resectable pancreatic head adenocarcinoma, underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy associated with infracolic lymphadenectomy.

RESULTS: The infracolic anterior technique has two main advantages. It is faster and prevents the formation of postoperative adhesions, which can make subsequent surgical interventions more difficult.

CONCLUSIONS: We recommend systematic para-aortic lymphadenectomy as the first step of pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma by this approach.