Minimally Invasive Pancreatoduodenectomy Compared to Open Pancreatoduodenectomy in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer: A...

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most lethal malignancies, with a five-year survival rate below 8%. For resectable cases, pancreatoduodenectomy remains the standard treatment. While the open approach has traditionally been the primary treatment, minimally invasive techniques are gaining popularity due to advancements in surgical technology. This review evaluates postoperative safety and long-term outcomes of minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy compared to open pancreatoduodenectomy in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. A comprehensive database search yielded 636 articles, of which 9 studies met our inclusion criteria and were retrieved for analysis. These comprised eight cohort studies and one randomized controlled trial, including a total of 13,159 participants. Findings suggest that minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy may offer benefits, such as reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and comparable surgical outcomes, making it a promising alternative to open pancreatoduodenectomy. However, minimally invasive approaches are also associated with challenges such as longer operative times and increased technical complexity. Therefore, further research and structured surgical training are essential to optimize clinical outcomes and guide decision-making.