BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the treatment of choice for periampullary and pancreatic head tumors. In case of hepatic artery abnormalities, early pancreatic transection during pancreaticoduodenectomy may prove inappropriate. Early retroportal lamina dissection improves exposure of the superior mesenteric vessels and anatomic variants of the hepatic artery, where safeguarding is mandatory.
METHOD: We describe our early retroportal lamina approach in patients with anatomic variants of the hepatic artery before pancreatic transection.
RESULTS: This approach was used during 42 pancreaticoduodenectomies with a hepatic artery anatomic variant which was spared in 40 patients. Arterial reconstruction was performed in 2 patients. Five patients with a hepatic artery variant and adenocarcinoma involving the portomesenteric junction required venous resection and reconstruction.
CONCLUSIONS: Early retroportal lamina dissection during pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with hepatic artery anatomic variants enables easier exposure, avoiding injuries that might compromise the liver arterial supply. When the portomesenteric vein is involved, this approach facilitates en bloc "no touch" venous resection and reconstruction.