title: [Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic cystadenomas].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cystic neoplasms are an uncommon group among pancreatic tumors. These lesions are seen more frequently in recent surgical practice, probably because of advances in diagnostic and surgical techniques. Total tumor resection provides the best chance of cure and may remove the risk of malignant transformation of the cystadenomas, particularly of the mucinous type. Minimally invasive techniques have been revolutionary and provide clinical evidence of decreased morbidity and comparable efficacy to traditional, open surgery. However, laparoscopic pancreatic resection is not an established treatment for tumors of the pancreas.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The authors present their initial experience with laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic cystadenomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three female patients (mean age, 55 years) underwent laparoscopic pancreatic resection between September 2001 and December 2003.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laparoscopic pancreatic resection was successfully performed in all patients. Operative time varied between 4 and 6 hours. Intraoperative bleeding was minimal. Due to a thick pancreas, the application of vascular endoscopic stapler was difficult in one patient. Two patients presented postoperative pancreatic leakage with spontaneous resolution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Resection of the pancreas can be safely performed via the laparoscopic approach with all the potential benefits to the patients of minimally invasive surgery.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirurgia Abdominal, Hospital do Câncer, São Paulo, SP. dr@drmarcel.com.br
authors.forename: Marcel Autran C
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Leonardo F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Canedo
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: André L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Montagnini
authors.forename: Rubens A A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sallum
authors.forename: Marcel Cerqueira Cesar
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Machado
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003537:Cystadenoma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery