Laparoscopic pancreatic resection: a preliminary experience of 15 patients.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
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.
Mabrut
Jean-Yves
JY
Department of Digestive Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Lyon, France. jean-yves.mabrut@chu-lyon.fr
Boulez
Jean
J
Peix
Jean-Louis
JL
Gigot
Jean-François
JF
Gouillat
Christian
C
de La Roche
Eric
E
Ducerf
Christian
C
Baulieux
Jacques
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003537:Cystadenoma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000601:surgery*; D010180:Pancreatectomy; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome