Proportion of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in the postoperative phase after curative tumor removal of pancreatic cancer will be determined and correlated to the accordance of anesthesia (desflurane versus propofol)

This prospective, randomized study will be conducted over a 36-month period to investigate whether commonly used anesthetics (volatile versus intravenous) have an effect on the changes or occurrence of CTC in patients suffering from primary pancreatic cancer undergoing curative surgery. The specific research question is if there are changes of the CTC count in the postoperative phase in the desflurane group (intervention) compared to the propofol one (control). A secondary question is if these changes can be correlated to tumor outcome.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 to 85
• ASA I-III ( American Society of Anesthesiologists)
• Resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma
• Primary surgery
• No neoadjuvant therapy
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Metastatic disease
• Other than primary surgery (recurrence, reconstruction)
• Pre-operative chemotherapy
• Chronic opioid use
• Known hypersensitivity or suspected allergy to propofol, soya or egg proteins
• Known hypersensitivity to volatile anaesthetics (malignant hyperthermia)
• Pregnancy
• Breast feeding
• Enrolment in any other clinical trial during the course of this trial, 30 days prior to its beginning or 30 days after its completion

Data will not be shared