Laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with and without splenic vessel preservation: The role of the Warshaw procedure

Abstract

Background/objectivesLaparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (LSPDP) for low-grade malignant pancreas tumors was recently demonstrated. Although the procedure with splenic vessel preservation (SVP) is optimal for LSPDP, SVP is not always possible in patients with a large tumor or a tumor attached to splenic vessels. This study aimed to analyze the safety of two procedures: LSPDP without SVP, known as the Warshaw technique (lap-WT), and LSPDP with SVP (lap-SVP). MethodsSeventeen patients who underwent a lap-WT and seven patients who underwent a lap-SVP were investigated retrospectively. ResultsThe median follow-up duration was 45 (range 17–105) months. In the lap-WT and lap-SVP patients, the sizes of the tumors were 5 (1.3–12) and 1.5 (1–4) cm; the operative times were 304 (168–512) and 319 (238–387) min; the blood loss was 210 (5–3250) and 60 (9–210) gr; the length of the postoperative hospital stay was 15 (8–29) and 18 (5–24) days; the peak platelet counts were 37.2 (14.6–65.2) and 26.4 (18.8–41) × 104/μL, and splenomegaly was observed in 10 (59%) and three (43%) patients, respectively. In both procedures, there was no local recurrence. In the lap-WT group, splenic infarctions were seen in four (24%) patients and perigastric varices were seen in two (12%) patients. All of these patients were observed conservatively. ConclusionsBoth the lap-WT and lap-SVP were found to be safe and effective, and in cases in which the tumor is relatively large or close to the splenic vessels, lap-WT can be used as the more appropriate procedure.