Laparoscopic distal pancreatosplenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) including laparoscopic distal pancreatosplenectomy has rapidly developed as a minimally invasive surgery. LDP is mainly indicated for benign disease and low-grade malignancy during the initial period. In recent years, an increasing number of LDPs for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have been reported. However, the benefits of LPD for PDAC, especially in view of the oncological benefits, are unclear and remain controversial. In this review of the literature, we note that LDP has been found to be a technically feasible and safe surgical procedure in selected patients and that LDP has the advantages expected of a minimally invasive surgery. In addition, LDP has oncological feasibility for PDAC in light of its favorable rate of R0 resection and lymph node harvest compared to conventional laparotomy. Large randomized and controlled prospective studies are needed to determine the clinical advantages of LDP for left-sided PDAC.