Implementation and outcome of minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy in Europe: a registry-based retrospective study A critical appraisal of the first 3 years of the E-MIPS registry.

BACKGROUND:International multicenter audit-based studies focusing on the outcome of minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy (MIPD) are lacking. The European registry for Minimally Invasive Pancreatic Surgery (E-MIPS) is the E-AHPBA endorsed registry aimed to monitor and safeguard the introduction of MIPD in Europe. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A planned analysis of outcomes among consecutive patients after MIPD from 45 centers in 14 European countries in the E-MIPS registry (2019-2021). Main outcomes of interest were major morbidity (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3) and 30-day/in-hospital mortality. RESULTS:Overall, 1,336 patients after MIPD were included (835 robot-assisted (R-MIPD) and 501 laparoscopic MIPD (L-MIPD)). Overall, 20 centers performed R-MIPD, 15 centers L-MIPD, and 10 centers both. Between 2019 and 2021, the rate of centers performing L-MIPD decreased from 46.9% to 25%, whereas for R-MIPD this increased from 46.9% to 65.6%. Overall, the rate of major morbidity was 41.2%, 30-day/in-hospital mortality 4.5%, conversion rate 9.7%, POPF grade B/C 22.7%, and PPH grade B/C 10.8%. Median length of hospital stay was 12 days [IQR 8-21]. A lower rate of major morbidity, POPF grade B/C, PPH grade BH/C, DGE grade B/C, percutaneous drainage and readmission was found after L-MIPD. The number of centers meeting the Miami Guidelines volume cut-off of ≥20 MIPDs annually increased from 9 (28.1%) in 2019 to 12 (37.5%) in 2021 (P=0.424). Rates of conversion (7.4% vs. 14.8% P<0.001) and reoperation (8.9% vs. 15.1%) P<0.001) were lower in centers which fulfilled the Miami volume cut-off. CONCLUSION:During the first 3 years of the pan-European E-MIPS registry, morbidity and mortality rates after MIPD were acceptable. A shift is ongoing from L-MIPD to R-MIPD. Variations in outcomes between the two minimally invasive approaches and the impact of the volume-cut-off should be further evaluated over a longer time period.