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Is laparoscopic left pancreatic resection justified?
J M Fabre1, J L Dulucq, C Vacher
1Department of Surgery, Saint Eloi Hospital, 34295 Montpellier Cedex 5, France. jm-fabre@chu-montpellier.fr
Background:
We reviewed our experience of laparoscopic left pancreatectomy to establish the feasibility of this approach and the characteristics of the operating procedure.
Methods:
Thirteen patients with a mean age of 60 years were deemed for a left pancreatectomy. Preoperative diagnoses were: nine mucinous cystadenoma and one insulinoma, intraductal mucinous ectasia, chronic pancreatitis with ductal stenosis, and distal pancreatic tumor.
Results:
Operative mortality was nil. Two patients required conversion for bleeding from splenic vein injuries leading to a splenectomy in one case. The spleen was preserved in 10 cases. Postoperative course was uneventful in nine cases. Four patients experienced postoperative complications: one pancreatic fistula, two liquid cysts on the pancreatic margin, and one reoperation for bleeding from a trocar port. Length of stay ranged from 5 to 22 days.
Conclusion:
These preliminary results confirm that in selected cases laparoscopic resection of the left pancreas is feasible and safe.