title: Single-port laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: initial experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy has become the standard treatment of choice for pancreatic tail cystic and solid tumors when technically feasible. Technological advances have led to the development of single-port laparoscopic surgery, a safe alternative procedure. We present our experiences with single-port laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed clinical records and compared clinical outcomes in 40 patients diagnosed with a pancreatic tail mass between 2007 and 2013 who received either conventional laparoscopic (n=28) or single-port laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (n=12).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean surgery time in the single-port group (279.8±53.0 minutes) was significantly longer than in the conventional group (186.9±86.6 minutes) (P=.001). The mean duration of postoperative hospital stay in the single-port group (12.2±5.4 days) was also significantly longer than in the conventional group (8.3±4.7 days) (P=.028). The spleen was preserved more in the conventional group (60.7%) than in the single-port group (33.3%), but the difference was not significant (P=.112). There were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, tumor size, conversion rate, or postoperative complications between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blood loss and postoperative complications of single-port laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy are similar to those of conventional laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. Single-port laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy can be performed safely and effectively in select patients with pancreas tail neoplasms, but is associated with a longer surgery time and postoperative hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Surgery, Korea University Ansan Hospital , Ansan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung Joon
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Sam-Youl
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Tae-Jin
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Sae Byeol
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Wan-Bae
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang-Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Seong-Heum
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome