Pancreaticoduodenectomy as treatment of adenocarcinoma of the papilla of vater diagnosed during pregnancy - A case report

Background: Papillary adenocarcinomas are rare tumors of the gastrointestin al tract. There are few report of this neoplasm diagnosed during pregnancy. Case: A case of adenocarcinoma of the papilla of Vater was diagnosed by son ographically guided biopsy during pregnancy. The patient underwent radical resection of the tumor at 25 weeks' gestation; pregnancy termination was no t indicated. At 39 weeks' gestation, a cesarean-section was performed. The postoperative period entailed total parenteral nutrition until intestinal m otility stabilized. This ensured the mother and fetus' well-being until del ivery. Conclusion: Papillary adenocarcinoma is associated with good prognosis sinc e it is totally removed by radical resection, and pancreaticoduodenectomy c an be performed successfully during pregnancy, but the patient must receive special prenatal care.