Artery-First Distal Pancreatectomy

Artery-first pancreatectomy is a technique to ligate the feeding artery before the division of the pancreas with intents to reduce the blood loss and to perform more oncologic resection; for example, the splenic artery (SA) is ligated first for artery-first distal pancreatectomy (DP). Potential merits of artery-first DP include early determination of resectability in the setting of pancreatic cancer with possible involvement of SA and/or celiac artery. However, due to difficulties in exposing the origin of SA, especially in open surgery, artery-first DP has been rarely performed. Through the experience of laparoscopic DP, we have developed a technique of artery-first DP by the 'Tora-no-Ana' approach, which consists of posterior dissection of the pancreatic body thorough a division of the ligament of Treitz. A hanging maneuver of the pancreatic parenchyma with SA and vein is another key for a successful artery-first DP. By the hanging maneuver, the origin of SA is well visualized and clearly identified either by open, laparoscopic or robotic approach so that oncologic resection can be achieved. In conclusion, artery-first DP is safe and feasible if the surgical principals by the Tora-no-Ana approach and hanging maneuver of the pancreatic body are adhered.