Various retraction techniques for laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

• Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) is technically demanding, typically requiring high-volume centers and extensive staffing.
• Manpower constraints can limit the feasibility and efficiency of LPD in various surgical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate novel external retraction techniques for LPD.
• To assess the efficacy of these techniques in overcoming staffing limitations.
• To report the outcomes of LPD performed with these methods.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 29 patients undergoing LPD by a single surgeon.
• Implementation of specific external retraction techniques to facilitate surgical traction.
• Data collection on intraoperative bleeding, operation time, and postoperative hospital stay.

Main Results:

• Median intraoperative bleeding was 425 mL.
• Median operation time was 505 minutes.
• Median postoperative hospital stay was 10 days, with only one conversion to open surgery.

Conclusions:

• External retraction techniques are effective in enabling efficient LPD despite manpower constraints.
• These methods demonstrate promising outcomes and a low conversion rate, suggesting broader applicability.
• The techniques offer a viable solution for surgeons facing staffing limitations in performing LPD.