Clinical outcomes of minimally invasive duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection

The procedure of total duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHRt) has been reported frequently, but rare in minimally invasive procedure, especially robotic-assisted operation. Here we share our experience and analyze the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive DPPHRt in the treatment of benign lesions or low-grade malignant tumors of the pancreatic head in this study.

From October 2016 to January 2022, three patients received robot-assisted DPPHRt(RA-DPPHRt), and seventeen patients received laparoscopic DPPHRt(LDPPHRt). Data were retrospectively collected in terms of demographic characteristics (age, gender, body mass index, and pathological diagnosis), intraoperative variables (operative time, estimated blood loss), and post-operative variables (post-operative hospital stay, and complications).

All 20 patients received minimally invasive total duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection successfully without conversion, including 8 males and 12 females. Pathological diagnosis suggested 1 case of serous cystadenoma (SCA), 4 cases of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) ,5 cases of mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN), 4 cases of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (PNET), 2 cases of chronic pancreatitis (CP),4 case of solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT). The average operation time was (285.35 ± 95.13 min), ranging from 95 to 420 min. The average estimate blood loss was (196.50 ± 174.45ml) ,ranging from 10 to 600ml.The average post-operative hospital stay was(20.90 ± 14.44days),ranging from 8 to 54 days. Postoperative complications occurred in 10 patients (50%). A total of 5 patients (20%) suffered grade B or C pancreatic fistula. Two patients (10%) suffered from biliary fistula. Two patients (10%) suffered from delayed gastric emptying. One patient (5%) suffered from abdominal bleeding. The 90-day mortality was 0. No patient was observed tumor recurrence and new-onset diabetes but one developed diarrhea.

RA-DPPHRt or LDPPHRt provided a minimally invasive approach with good organ-preservation for patients with benign and low-grade malignant pancreatic head tumor. It is only recommended to be performed in high-volume pancreatic centers by experienced pancreatic surgeons.