Feasibility of endoscopic transgastric distal pancreatectomy in a porcine animal model.
BACKGROUND
In contrast to laparoscopic tubal ligation, oophorectomy, and appendectomy, laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is associated with a morbidity rate of more than 50% and a mortality rate of more than 3%.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a minimally invasive, transgastric endoscopic technique for distal pancreatectomy in a nonsurvival series in swine.


METHODS
Experimental study.


METHODS
Animal trial at a tertiary-care academic hospital.


METHODS
Six healthy Yorkshire swine under general anesthesia.


METHODS
A double-channel gastroscope was introduced into the stomach, and a gastric incision was created by using a triple-lumen, 4-mm, cutting-wire needle knife. The peritoneal cavity was accessed. An Endoloop was placed endoscopically around the distal aspect of the pancreas, and the tail of the pancreas was transected by using a diathermic snare. One to 3 hemoclips were placed across the pancreatic duct. The pancreatic specimen was retrieved, and the gastrotomy was closed endoscopically with metal clips. The animals were euthanized after the procedure. The abdominal cavity was examined grossly, and the resected pancreas was examined histologically.


METHODS
Feasibility of endoscopic transgastric distal pancreatectomy and rate of complications.


RESULTS
The pancreatic tail was successfully resected via a transgastric endoscopic approach in all animals. The procedure took an average (standard deviation) of 77.3 +/- 18.9 minutes. There was 1 complication, an episode of bleeding from a splenic laceration, which resulted in the loss of 250 mL of blood.


CONCLUSIONS
Nonsurvival series, animal study.


CONCLUSIONS
Transgastric endoscopic distal pancreatectomy is technically feasible and can be performed in the porcine animal model.
Matthes
Kai
K
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
Yusuf
Tony E
TE
Willingham
Field F
FF
Mino-Kenudson
Mari
M
Rattner
David W
DW
Brugge
William R
WR
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D009017:Morbidity; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D013270:Stomach / Q000601:surgery*; D013552:Swine; D016896:Treatment Outcome