title: Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy: a retrospective review of 19 cases.
abstract: The role of laparoscopic techniques in pancreatic surgery is still controversial especially regarding to exocrine malignancies. Operative time, conversion rate, adequacy of dissection, and morbidity do represent factors of major concern. Whereas laparoscopic resection of left sided pancreatic lesions requires no anastomosis and therefore has gained worldwide acceptance over the last years, excision of cephalic lesions by mimimal access has little place in surgeons' practice because of its technical complexity and duration of surgery. This study was designed to assess the feasibility and results of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy for neoplasms of the pancreatic head, analyzing steps of learning curve, conversion rate, and short-term outcomes. From August 2002 to December 2006, 19 patients affected by pancreatic neoplasm of the head were approached by minimally invasive technique. A video-assisted procedure with pancreaticoduodenal resection and anastomoses fashioned through a midline minilaparotomy of 7 cm was achieved in 7 patients. Conversion to laparotomy was required in 6 patients, in 3 for bleeding and in 3 for difficulties in dissection. Cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy was achieved by thorough intracorporeal technique in 6 patients. Mortality was nil. Oncologic principles with adequate lymphadenectomy and resection margins were respected and short-term outcomes and mean survival were quite acceptable and equal to those of conventional surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pugliese
authors.forename: Ildo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Scandroglio
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sansonna
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maggioni
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Costanzi
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Citterio
authors.forename: Giovanni Carlo
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Lernia
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Magistro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome