BACKGROUND/AIMS: Worldwide experience with laparoscopic pancreatic resection remains limited. The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility, safety and outcome of laparoscopic pancreatic resection. METHODOLOGY: 15 consecutive patients suffering from benign cystic pancreatic (n=6), neuroendocrine tumors (n=8) or pancreatic metastasis from renal carcinoma (n=1) undergoing laparoscopic pancreatic resection were retrospectively collected from 5 academic hospitals. RESULTS: Laparoscopic procedure was completed in 10 patients, including 7 distal pancreatectomies (with 5 spleen preservation), 2 tumor enucleations and 1 partial cystic resection. Conversion was due to inappropriate operative finding for laparoscopic approach in 2 patients and for uncontrollable bleeding in 3 patients. Postoperative pancreatic-related complications included pancreatic fistula in 20% and peripancreatic collection in 13% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic pancreatic resection is feasible for distal pancreatic tumors. However, successful management of the pancreatic stump remains the challenge of this procedure, in order to achieve a clear benefit in the patient outcome.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Worldwide experience with laparoscopic pancreatic resection remains limited. The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility, safety and outcome of laparoscopic pancreatic resection. METHODOLOGY: 15 consecutive patients suffering from benign cystic pancreatic (n=6), neuroendocrine tumors (n=8) or pancreatic metastasis from renal carcinoma (n=1) undergoing laparoscopic pancreatic resection were retrospectively collected from 5 academic hospitals. RESULTS: Laparoscopic procedure was completed in 10 patients, including 7 distal pancreatectomies (with 5 spleen preservation), 2 tumor enucleations and 1 partial cystic resection. Conversion was due to inappropriate operative finding for laparoscopic approach in 2 patients and for uncontrollable bleeding in 3 patients. Postoperative pancreatic-related complications included pancreatic fistula in 20% and peripancreatic collection in 13% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic pancreatic resection is feasible for distal pancreatic tumors. However, successful management of the pancreatic stump remains the challenge of this procedure, in order to achieve a clear benefit in the patient outcome.
Authors: John K Ramage; A Ahmed; J Ardill; N Bax; D J Breen; M E Caplin; P Corrie; J Davar; A H Davies; V Lewington; T Meyer; J Newell-Price; G Poston; N Reed; A Rockall; W Steward; R V Thakker; C Toubanakis; J Valle; C Verbeke; A B Grossman Journal: Gut Date: 2011-11-03 Impact factor: 23.059