A Case-matched Comparative Study of Laparoscopic Versus Open Pancreaticoduodenectomy

The laparoscopic approach to pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) is technically demanding, but may offer benefits over open surgery [open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD)]. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of these 2 approaches at a tertiary cancer center from the Middle East.

Fifty consecutive patients who underwent LPD (n=12) and OPD (n=38) between 2015 and 2018 were considered. One surgeon performed LPD for "all comers," while 3 other surgeons performed open surgery. Patients were randomly matched on a 1:2 basis for pathology (benign vs. malignant), malignancy size (±1 cm), and whether the pancreatic duct was dilated (>3 mm).

Six patients were excluded, leaving 44 patients, of whom 33 were matched (LPD n=11, OPD n=22). The groups were comparable for age (57 vs. 63 y, P=0.123) and sex distribution (female; 55% vs. 45%, P=0.721), tumor size (3 cm in each group), frequency of pancreatic duct dilatation (45% in each group), and malignant pathology (82% in each group). There were no conversions to open surgery. Although the operating time for LPD was significantly longer (680 vs. 313 min, P<0.0001), LPD was associated with significantly shorter primary (4.7 vs. 7.8 d, P<0.0001) and total hospital stay that included readmissions (4.7 vs. 8.9 d, P<0.0001). There were no significant differences in blood loss (200 vs. 325 mL, P=0.082), overall complication rate (36.4% vs. 59.1%, P=0.282), or clinically significant complications (9.1% vs. 22.2%, P=0.643) and readmissions (0 vs. 4 patients). In patients with malignant disease, there were no differences with regard to the number of lymph nodes retrieved (18 vs. 12, P=0.095) and frequency of R0 resections (77.8% in each group).

In experienced hands, the laparoscopic approach to pancreaticoduodenectomy seems to offer advantages over open surgery in terms of reduction in hospital stay while maintaining an equivalent oncologic resection.