Minimally invasive treatment of pancreatic disease

Minimally invasive surgery has been widely accepted as an alternative to conventional open surgery in many gastrointestinal fields and is now considered the standard of care in bariatric surgery as well as oncologic surgery of the colon and stomach. Despite the advancements in laparoscopic surgery instrumentation and technique, the anatomic relationships of the pancreas and the need for complex reconstructions have slowed similar progress in management of pancreatic disease. However, numerous recent studies show promising results in laparoscopic management of pancreatic pseudocyst, necrosis, and benign and malignant pancreatic neoplasms. We present the current status of clinical application of minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of complicated pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic neoplasms, and provide a review of the relevant literature. Present day and probable future developments, such as the use of robotics, natural orifice techniques, and major vascular reconstruction are also presented.