[Laparoscopic left pancreas resection in tumors. Initial clinical experiences]

Laparoscopic pancreatic resections are rare procedures with left resections considered as a special subject. In animal trials and in 26 operations performed so far, this laparoscopic procedure was assessed positively. The operations were carried out mainly for benign diseases. From November 1998 to July 2000, five laparoscopic left pancreatic resections were performed in our hospital for the following diseases: adenocarcinoma (2), neuroendocrine carcinoma, highly malignant T-cell lymphoma, and cyst adenoma. In 3 patients the pancreatic resection was completed by other procedures: the case of T-cell lymphoma by gastrectomy and left side hemihepatectomy, the case of advanced pancreatic carcinoma by resection of a liver metastasis, and the case of cyst adenoma by a partial adrenalectomy. There was no patient suffering from intra- or postoperative complications. The benefit is mainly noticed in the early postoperative period. All required oncosurgical criterias were fulfilled.