title: Laparoscopic lateral pancreaticojejunostomy: a new remedy for an old ailment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lateral pancreaticojejunostomy is considered as the standard surgery for chronic pancreatitis. Yet there are very few reports of this procedure being done laparoscopically. We present our experience with laparoscopic lateral pancreaticojejunostomy till date and describe our technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Since 1997, we have done 12 laparoscopic lateral pancreatojejunostomies. There were 9 females and 3 males and the average age was 29.3 years. The indication for surgery in all patients was intractable abdominal pain and significant weight loss. Additionally, two patients were also suffering from pancreatic ascites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average diameter of the pancreatic duct was 14.7 mm. We used a four-port technique. All surgeries were completed without any conversion to open surgery. Post-operatively, there were no major morbidity and nil mortality. The average operating time was 172 minutes. Post-operative stay was short (average 5 days) and on median follow-up of 4.4 years, 83.3% patients had complete pain relief while 16.7% had partial relief. All patients had significant weight gain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic lateral pancreaticojejunostomy is safe, effective and feasible in experience hands. Mastery of intracorporeal knotting and suturing techniques is mandatory before embarking on this surgery.
authors.affiliation: Gem Hospital, 45 A, Coimbatore 641045, Tamilnadu, India.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palanivelu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jani
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Rajan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sendhilkumar
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Parthasarthi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Malladi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010193:Pancreaticojejunostomy / Q000379:methods*; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000601:surgery*; D011677:Punctures