title: Laparoscopic central pancreatectomy: Our technique and long-term results in 14 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Conventional pancreatic resections may be unnecessary for benign tumours or for tumours of low malignant potential located in the neck and body of pancreas. Such extensive resections can place the patient at increased risk of developing postoperative exocrine and endocrine insufficiency. Central pancreatectomy is a plausible surgical option for the management of tumours located in these locations. Laparoscopic approach seems appropriate for such small tumours situated deep in the retroperitoneum.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the technical feasibility, safety and long-term results of laparoscopic central pancreatectomy in patients with benign and low malignant potential tumours involving the neck and body of pancreas.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was an observational study which reports a single-centre experience with laparoscopic central pancreatectomy over a 9-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  14 patients underwent laparoscopic central pancreatectomy from October 2004 to September 2013. These included patients with tumours located in the neck and body of pancreas that were radiologically benign-looking tumours of less than 3 cm in size.
  
  
  METHODS
  The statistical analysis was done using GraphPad Prism software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of patients was 48.93 years. The mean operative time was 239.7 min. Mean blood loss was 153.2 ml. Mean postoperative ICU stay was 1.2 days and overall mean hospital stay was 8.07 days. There were no mortalities and no major postoperative complications. Margins were negative in all cases and with a median follow-up of 44 months, there was no recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic central pancreatectomy is a feasible procedure with acceptable morbidity. In the long term, there were no recurrences and pancreatic function was well preserved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepato Pancreatico Biliary surgery, Gem Hospital and Research Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Palanisamy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Senthilnathan
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepato Pancreatico Biliary surgery, Gem Hospital and Research Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Shiekh Imran
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Gul
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepato Pancreatico Biliary surgery, Gem Hospital and Research Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Sivakumar Srivatsan
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Gurumurthy
authors.affiliation: Department of Upper GI and Bariatric surgery, Gem Hospital and Research Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Praveen Raj
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Palanivelu
authors.affiliation: Department of Upper GI and Bariatric surgery, Gem Hospital and Research Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Ramakrishnan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Parthasarathi
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepato Pancreatico Biliary surgery, Gem Hospital and Research Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Nalankilli Viyapurigounder
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Palanisamy
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepato Pancreatico Biliary surgery, Gem Hospital and Research Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Vijai Anand
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Natesan
authors.affiliation: Director and Head, Gem Hospital and Research Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Chinnusamy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palanivelu
keywords: Laparoscopic central pancreatectomy; median pancreatectomy; pancreaticojejunal anastomosis