The Clinical Management of Main Duct Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm of the Pancreas

Background: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas comprise a heterogeneous group of intraductal mucin-producing neoplasms representing a typical adenoma-to-carcinoma sequence. The involvement of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) is a feature of paramount importance, directly related to a more aggressive biology and a higher malignancy rate.

Method: We review and discuss the clinical management of IPMNs with a MPD involvement, recalling the different consensus guidelines and addressing recent controversies in literature, presenting the current clinical practice in Verona Pancreas Institute.

Results: All the aspects of surgical management were discussed, from the indication for surgery to the intraoperative management and the follow-up strategies.

Conclusion: The management of presumed IPMNs involving the MPD at our Institution is in line with the International Association of Pancreatology 2012 guidelines, revised in 2016. Surgical resection proposed should achieve the complete removal of the tumor with negative margins. Despite a good prognosis in terms of survival of overall resected main duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, follow-up should not be discontinued.