Impact of Lymph Node Metastases Around the Superior Mesenteric Artery on Postoperative Outcomes of Pancreatic Head Cancer

Background The neural plexus and lymph nodes around the superior mesenteric artery (LN#14), are the most frequent sites involved by pancreatic head cancer. However the influence of metastases to LN#14 on patients’ prognosis has rarely been evaluated. Methods The patients who underwent pancreatectomy for pancreatic head cancer between January 2010 and December 2018 were selected. The patients with nodal metastases were classified into an LN#14 + or LN#14−group according to LN#14 metastasis. Clinical and pathological characteristics and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Results In total, 99 patients underwent pancreatectomy. Ninety-four patients were positive for lymph node metastases and 14 and 80 were classified as LN#14 + and LN#14 − , respectively. Postoperative median overall survival (OS) of the LN#14 + and LN#14 − groups was 10.2 and 31.1 months, respectively ( P