[Experimental approach to left laparoscopic pancreas resection preserving the spleen]

The pancreas has been excluded from laparoscopic surgery ever since. The technical possibilities of laparoscopic left resection of the pancreas in pigs are examined in this study. Mobilization of the left pancreatic segment up to the confluence area (splenic vein and upper mesenteric vein) was possible preserving the spleen. Sectioning of the organ was performed by ultrasound dissector and selective clipping of the pancreatic duct in 4 animals, in 2 animals this was achieved by Endo-GIA. The size of resected segments was 10-15 cm in length, 2-4 cm in width and the segments weighed 30 gr. Laparoscopic left resection of the pancreas with preservation of the spleen is technically possible in pigs. Postoperative complications have to be further examined in survival studies.