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Updated: Feb 24, 2026
Robot-Assisted Radical Antegrade Modular Pancreatosplenectomy Including Resection and Reconstruction of the Spleno-Mesenteric Junction
Published on: January 3, 2020
[Minimally invasive and robot-assisted surgery for pancreatic cystic tumors]
T Welsch1, M Distler2, J Weitz2
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Viszeral‑, Thorax- und Gefäßchirurgie (VTG), Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus an der Technischen Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Deutschland. thilo.welsch@uniklinikum-dresden.de.
Background:
The indications for resection of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCL) are often complex and the operative risk has to be balanced against the risk of malignant transformation. The aim of the study was to provide a synopsis of the current treatment results of minimally invasive surgery for PCL.
Methods:
A systematic literature search was performed using the Medline database (PubMed). Subsequently, the retrieved literature was selectively reviewed.
Results:
No published prospective randomized controlled trials have yet addressed the comparison of open and minimally invasive surgery of PCL; however, retrospective case studies have demonstrated the feasibility, safety and a comparable morbidity after minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (DP), pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), central (CP) or total pancreatectomy and enucleation. Whereas most DPs are performed laparoscopically, the experience of minimally invasive PD has been consolidated for the robot-assisted approach but is concentrated in only a few centers. The number of published reports on minimally invasive organ-sparing pancreas procedures (e. g. CP or enucleation) for PCL is scarce; however, the available (selected) results are promising.
Conclusion:
Minimally invasive surgery for PCL has the potential to reduce the operative trauma to the patients, while at the same time causing comparable or less morbidity. This requires an increasing specialization of complex minimally invasive resections. The clinical use of robotic systems will grow for the latter cases. A prospective registry of the results should be mandatory for quality management.
