Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy assisted by mini-laparotomy

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the treatment of choice for periampullary disease. Even with the increasing number of successful reports from around the globe, laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) is still not fully accepted. We report the results of our experience of LPD assisted by mini-laparotomy.

This retrospective review study included 42 patients who received LPD assisted by mini-laparotomy between March 2009 and April 2012. Clinical outcomes, such as patient age, pathologic diagnosis, pancreas nature, operation time, conversion rate, hospital stay, postoperative complication, and mortality rates, were reviewed.

A total of 42 patients (age range, 42 to 70 y ) received LPD assisted by mini-laparotomy. The mean incision length for the laparotomy was 5.2 cm. Mean operative time was 404 minutes, and 3 cases required conversion to open surgery. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 17 days. There were 3 cases of pancreaticogastrostomy leakage, 2 cases of postoperative bleeding, 4 cases of delayed gastric emptying, 1 case of bile leakage, and 5 cases of pulmonary complications. Of the 5 patients with pulmonary complications, 1 died.

When performed by a surgeon with ample experience in laparoscopic surgery, LPD assisted by mini-laparotomy is a safe, feasible alternative to conventional PD for select cases. The method described in this study can be used to perform pancreaticoenteric anastomosis in the same manner as an open PD, while taking advantage of the merits of minimally invasive surgery.