Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and open distal pancreatectomy: a nonrandomized comparative study.

Although laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) is technically feasible, its benefits remain uncertain. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical results of LDP and open distal pancreatectomy (ODP). The medical records of 14 consecutive patients who underwent LDP were reviewed and compared with those of 19 patients who underwent ODP. All patients were treated for benign or borderline malignant disease of the pancreas. Operation time was longer for LDP than for ODP (290.7 vs. 213.8 min, P=0.0022), and postoperative analgesics were administered less frequently for patients who underwent LDP. Patients treated by LDP had earlier recovery of bowel function, shorter time to oral intake, and shorter postoperative hospital stay than those treated by ODP. No difference in morbidity or inflammatory response was observed between the 2 groups. LDP for benign or borderline malignant disease of the pancreas provides benefits without increasing morbidity.