Minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy A retrospective review of 30 cases.

OBJECTIVES

Pancreatic surgery has been greatly influenced by the advent of laparoscopic surgery and increasing experience in its performance and by advances in techniques and surgical devices. This study aimed to represent two centers' initial experiences in laparoscopic distal pancreatic surgery.

METHODS

This study was a bi-centric study including 30 patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic disorders. All the patients were operated on from November 2006 to November 2013 in Turkey and Spain.

RESULTS

Laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy was performed in 9 patients, laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was performed in 14 patients, laparoscopic enucleation was performed in 4 patients, and single-incision laparoscopic distal pancreatosplenectomy with splenectomy was performed in 3 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomies for pancreatic disorders are feasible and safe procedures if performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons.

KEY WORDS

Laparoscopy, Pancreas, Multi-port, Tumor, SILS.