title: Laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with or without splenic vessel conservation: a retrospective study of 20 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the outcomes and potential morbidities of laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with or without splenic vessel preservation in patients with benign or low-grade malignant pancreatic lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients who underwent spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients had benign or low-grade malignant pancreatic lesions that had not invaded the spleen. Twelve patients underwent Kimura's procedure and eight patients underwent Warshaw's. Perioperative data, and procedure-specific complications were compared between the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age, gender, and body mass index were comparable between the two groups. Operative time and intraoperative blood loss were significantly lower for patients who underwent Warshaw's procedure than for those who received Kimura's (p <0.05 for both). There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to perioperative blood transfusions, length of postoperative hospital stays, or complication rates. Splenic infarction and gastric varices developed only in patients who underwent Warshaw's procedure (one case each).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that the Kimura technique should be the first choice for patients with benign or low-grade malignant pancreatic lesions. Warshaw's technique was associated with a higher incidence of several complications. However, Warshaw's can increase the success rate of splenic preservation in some cases.
authors.forename: Guo-Yue
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.forename: Guang-Yi
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Bai
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Ying-Chao
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Xiao-Dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Ya-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013157:Splenic Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D013162:Splenic Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult