Identifying key outcome metrics in pancreatic surgery, and how to optimally achieve them

Background: Indicators of effectiveness and quality of care are of greatest importance in gauging the direct benefit of a new surgical technique, such as minimally-invasive pancreatic resections, when being compared with established approaches. Methods: Current expert opinion on minimally-invasive pancreatic resection (MIPR) was presented at the first MIPR state of the art conference during 12th world congress of the International HepatoPancreato-Biliary Association. Results: Studies exploring outcome of the minimally-invasive approach, alone or compared with open surgery, should consider all the necessary indicators of quality ensuring a high level of clinical care. Such studies should be implemented in a context that guarantees the correct indication for surgery, lower mortality rates, a low burden of post-operative morbidity through early recognition of adverse events and prevention of predictable complications, high standards of oncological radicality, prompt recovery with access to adjuvant therapy as soon as possible, and reduction of health-care related costs. Discussion: Only by integrating MIPR with the outcome-improving effect of a dedicated pancreatic team will it be possible to assess more precisely the putative benefits of this minimally-invasive approach.