Segmental pancreatectomy for benign tumor of the pancreas

Enucleation of pancreatic tumor has the potential risk for damage of the main pancreatic duct. Benign tumors located in the neck or body of the pancreas are usually removed by left (spleno-) pancreatectomy or pancreatoduodenectomy. Standard pancreatic resection may result in serious loss of normal pancreatic parenchyme and impairment of pancreatic function. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of segmental pancreatectomy, a limited resection of the midportion of the pancreas, in patients with benign tumor of the pancreas.

Four patients with benign tumor over pancreatic neck or body were treated with segmental pancreatectomy after pathological confirmation by frozen section. The proximal stump was closed and distal stump was anastomosed with a Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy. Clinical evaluation, routine blood sugar, stool fat examination and abdominal ultrasonography were performed for their follow up.

Segmental pancreatectomy was satisfactory in these four patients. The pathologic examinations revealed serous cystadenoma. No mortality was noted. Minor pancreatic fistula was found in three of them and was treated conservatively. No obvious exocrine insufficiency was noticed. One patient had diabetes mellitus before operation, which was persisted postoperatively.

Segmental pancreatectomy is a safe and effective alternative to major pancreatic resection in selected patients with benign tumor of the pancreas. This procedure has a surgical risk similar to that of the standard operation, but preserves more pancreatic tissues, which may prevent pancreatic function impairment.