Clinical applications of laparoscopic pancreatectomy

Abstract

To summarize the experiences of laparoscopic pancreatectomy and to discuss its clinical indications and operative techniques. From March 2003 to February 2010, 49 patients with pancreatic diseases, including 18 males and 31 females with a mean age of (42 ± 14) years old (range: 21 - 77), underwent laparoscopy at our department. The preoperative diagnoses included insulinoma (n = 38), cystadenoma (n = 4), cystadenocarcinoma (n = 1), nonfunctional islet cell tumor (n = 5) and solid-pseudopapillary tumor (n = 1). Thirty-nine cases underwent total laparoscopic surgery and 8 cases converted to open surgery. The operative duration was (245 ± 146) minutes (range: 90 - 960). The mean intraoperative blood loss was (191 ± 306) ml (range: 20 - 1500). Secondary operations were needed in 3 cases and pancreatic fistula occurred in 7 cases. The postoperative hospital stay was (10 ± 7) days (range: 4 - 31). Laparoscopic pancreatectomy is safe and feasible in the treatment of most benign pancreatic diseases and some malignant tumors.