title: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: results on a consecutive series of 58 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the clinical characteristics, indications, technical procedures, and outcome of a consecutive series of laparoscopic distal pancreatic resections performed by the same surgical team.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic distal pancreatic resection has increasingly been described as a feasible and safe procedure, although accompanied by a high rate of conversion and morbidity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A consecutive series of patients affected by solid and cystic tumors were selected prospectively to undergo laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy performed by the same surgical team. Clinical characteristics as well as diagnostic preoperative assessment and intra- and postoperative data were prospectively recorded. A follow-up of at least 3 months was available for all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-eight patients underwent laparoscopic resection between May 1999 and November 2005. All procedures were successfully performed laparoscopically, and no patient required intraoperative blood transfusion. Splenic vessel preservation was possible in 84.4% of spleen-preserving procedures. There were no mortalities. The overall median hospital stay was 9 days, while it was 10.5 days for patients with postoperative pancreatic fistulae (27.5% of all cases). Follow-up was available for all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our experience in 58 consecutive patients was characterized by the lack of conversions and by acceptable rates of postoperative pancreatic fistulae and morbidity. Laparoscopy proved especially beneficial in patients with postoperative complications as they had a relatively short hospital stay. Solid and cystic tumors of the distal pancreas represent a good indication for laparoscopic resection whenever possible.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Department, New Hospital Sant'Agostino-Estense Baggiovara Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Melotti
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Butturini
authors.forename: Micaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piccoli
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Casetti
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bassi
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mullineris
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Lazzaretti
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pederzoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome