Central pancreatectomy with pancreaticogastrostomy for benign pancreatic pathology

Benign lesions of the neck and proximal body of the pancreas pose an interesting surgical challenge. If the lesions are not amenable to simple enucleation, surgeons may be faced with the choice of performing a right-sided resection (pancreaticoduodenectomy) or a left-sided resection (distal pancreatectomy) to include the lesion, resulting in resection of a substantial amount of normal pancreatic parenchyma. Central pancreatic resection has been reported with Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy reconstruction; however, this interrupts small bowel continuity and obligates an additional anastomosis.We have reviewed our experience with central pancreatectomy with pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) for benign central pancreatic pathology. Between January 1999 and December 2002, 14 central pancreatectomies were performed with PG reconstruction. There were 7 women and 7 men with a mean age of 60.9 years. Five resections were performed for islet cell tumors, three were performed for noninvasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, two were performed for serous cystadenoma, and one each was performed for a simple cyst, pseudocyst, mucinous metaplasia, and focal chronic pancreatitis. Seven out of 14 patients experienced a total of 10 complications. Pancreatic fistulae manifested by drainage of amylase-rich fluid from the operatively placed drains developed in 5 patients (36%). Reoperation or interventional radiologic procedures were not required in any patient with a fistula. Postoperative follow-up demonstrated 13 out of 14 patients to be alive and well without evidence of pancreatic insufficiency. One patient died at home on postoperative day 57 of cardiac pathology. Central pancreatectomy withPGis a safe and effective procedure that allows for preservation of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function without disruption of enteric continuity. The complication of pancreatic fistula was managed conservatively via maintenance of operatively placed drains. Presented at the Forty-Fourth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Orlando, Florida, May 18–21, 2003 (poster presentation).     

CENTRAL PANCREATECTOMY FOR BENIGN PANCREATIC PATHOLOGY/TRAUMA: IS IT A REASONABLE PANCREAS‐PRESERVING CONSERVATIVE SURGICAL STRATEGY ALTERNATIVE TO STANDARD MAJOR PANCREATIC RESECTION?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the technical feasibility, safety and outcome of central pancreatectomy (CP) with pancreaticogastrostomy or pancreaticojejunostomy in appropriately selected patients with benign central pancreatic pathology/trauma. Benign lesions/trauma of the pancreatic neck and proximal body pose an interesting surgical challenge. CP is an operation that allows resection of benign tumours located in the pancreatic isthmus that are not suitable for enucleation. METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2005, eight central pancreatectomies were carried out. There were six women and two men with a mean age of 35.7 years. The cephalic pancreatic stump is oversewn and the distal stump is anastomosed end-to-end with a Roux-en-Y jejunal loop in two and with the stomach in six patients. The indications for CP were: non-functional islet cell tumours in two patients, traumatic pancreatic neck transection in two and one each for insulinoma, solid pseudopapillary tumour, splenic artery pseudoaneurysm and pseudocyst. Pancreatic exocrine function was evaluated by a questionnaire method. Endocrine function was evaluated by blood glucose level. RESULTS: Morbidity rate was 37.5% with no operative mortality. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 10.5 days. Neither of the patients developed pancreatic fistula nor required reoperations or interventional radiological procedures. At a mean follow up of 26.4 months, no patient had evidence of endocrine or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, all the patients were alive and well without clinical and imaging evidence of disease recurrence. CONCLUSION: When technically feasible, CP is a safe, pancreas-preserving pancreatectomy for non-enucleable benign pancreatic pathology/trauma confined to pancreatic isthmus that allows for cure of the disease without loss of substantial amount of normal pancreatic parenchyma with preservation of exocrine/endocrine function and without interruption of enteric continuity.     

Middle segment pancreatectomy for the treatment of benign and low malignant potential pancreatic tumours

Background: Conventional distal pancreatectomy is used for the removal of lesions located at the body and tail of the pancreas. Generally, the spleen is sacrificed. But for benign and low malignant potential tumours in the pancreatic neck and body, this incurs notable loss of normal pancreatic tissue and the unnecessary risk of diabetes mellitus as well as splenic loss. Methods: We report three cases of middle segment pancreatectomy in an effort to avoid the unnecessary loss of normal pancreatic tissue and the spleen. Two patients were males with a mucinous cystadenoma and non‐cystic mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. The other was a female with a serous cystadenoma. Middle segment pancreatectomy was performed. Two patients were reconstructed with double pancreaticojejunostomy and the third with a pancreaticogastrostomy. Results: No major complications were observed. Comnclusions: Middle segment pancreatectomy is a safe and effective procedure for the resection of benign and low malignant potential tumours in the pancreatic neck and body with preservation of normal pancreatic tissue and the spleen in selected patients. This is the first report of middle segment pancreatectomy for pancreatic tumour in China.     

Central pancreatectomy with pancreaticogastrostomy in children

Children requiring surgical intervention for pancreatic disease may be at risk long term for exocrine insufficiency and glucose intolerance. Pediatric surgeons must balance the need to perform adequate surgical resection while preserving as much normal pancreatic parenchyma as possible. Neoplasms of the middle pancreatic segment with low malignant potential and isolated trauma to the pancreatic body or neck represent 2 conditions where extensive pancreatic resection is unnecessary. Central pancreatectomy for such lesions is well described in adults. Reconstruction of the distal pancreatic remnant is traditionally performed via Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy. Pancreaticogastrostomy is an alternative approach that has been used to reconstruct the distal pancreas in the adults. Pancreaticogastrostomy offers several technical advantages over pancreaticojejunostomy. Because children may be uniquely susceptible to the long-term consequences of excessive pancreatic resection, 2 cases using this technique of central pancreatectomy with pancreaticogastrostomy are described.     

Postoperative Glycemic Control after Central Pancreatectomy for Mid-gland Lesions

INTRODUCTION: Patients undergoing partial pancreatectomy are at risk for developing surgically induced diabetes. Patients with lesions in the neck and body of the pancreas are at increased risk because traditional resectional approaches (pancreaticoduodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy) must be extended to remove the tumor with adequate margins. Increasingly, we have been performing pancreatic parenchyma-sparing resections (central pancreatectomy with pancreaticogastrostomy) in an effort to reduce the risk of postpancreatectomy endocrine insufficiency. METHODS: The operative records of patients who underwent pancreatectomy at our institution from 1999 to 2005 were reviewed. We identified 26 patients who underwent central pancreatectomy with pancreaticogastrostomy reconstruction for cystic lesions (n = 23), neuroendocrine tumors (n = 2), and Frantz's tumor (n = 1). Charts were reviewed for patient demographics, volume of resection, complications, and evaluation of postoperative glycemic control. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 33 months (range 3-72 months). The average volume of pancreas resected was 49.6 +/- 38.6 cm(3), and the mean diameter of the lesions was 2.6 +/- 1.5 cm. Nine complications occurred in eight patients (overall morbidity 31%), and the average length of stay was 6.9 +/- 2.7 days. Pancreatic leaks (n = 2; 7.7%) were successfully managed nonoperatively. There was no operative mortality, and there has been no tumor recurrence. None of the patients were diabetic preoperatively. Postoperatively, two (7.7%) developed endocrine insufficiency with a mean postoperative hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) value of 7.65%. Neither patient has required exogenous insulin. HbA1c in the remaining patients was 5.9% +/- 0.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic parenchyma-sparing surgery for lesions in the midportion of the gland can be performed with acceptable morbidity. Postoperative glycemic control after pancreatic parenchyma-sparing surgery compares favorably with that reported for patients with traditional resections.     

中段胰腺切除术19例临床分析

背景与目的:胰十二指肠切除术(PD)和胰体尾切除术(DP)被认为是治疗胰腺肿瘤的标准术式.然而,它们应用于治疗良性或低度恶性肿瘤时可能导致的胰腺内外分泌功能不足需引起重视.本研究旨在探讨中段胰腺切除术(CP)治疗胰颈部或近端体部良性或低度恶性肿瘤的临床疗效.方法:回顾性分析南昌大学第一附属医院2009年6月—2020年...     

Roux-en-Y end-to-end and end-to-side double pancreaticojejunostomy: application of the reconstructive method of the Beger procedure to central pancreatectomy

Purposes  

Central pancreatectomy is indicated for treatment of traumatic lesions and benign or low-grade tumors of the pancreatic neck and proximal body. After central pancreatectomy, the proximal pancreatic stump is usually closed, and pancreaticojejunostomy or pancreaticogastrostomy carried out with the distal pancreas. Adopting these reconstructive techniques in most series revealed a prevalence of postoperative fistula that was higher than after pancreaticoduodenectomy or left pancreatectomy. We present a case treated by novel application of the reconstructive method of the Beger procedure.     

Central pancreatectomy in benign tumors of the neck of the pancreas

The surgical treatment of benign tumors of the neck of the pancreas usually consists of enucleation or formal pancreatectomy. Central pancreatectomy has been put forward because it has fewer major complications and can preserve endocrine and exocrine function. Between January 1999 and march 2003, three patients with benign tumors of the neck of the pancreas underwent central pancreatectomy. all patients underwent computed tomography scans, intraoperative ultrasound and frozen-section analysis. pathologic examination showed two mucinous cystadenomas and one serous cystadenoma. after a mean follow-up of 34 months, none of the patients has shown major complications or local recurrence, or has developed diabetes. In conclusion, central pancreatectomy is a useful technique for selected benign or low-grade malignant pancreatic tumors of the neck of the pancreas.     

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胰十二指肠或中段胰腺切除后胰腺残端-消化道的重建方式主要包括胰肠吻合和胰胃吻合两大类。两种吻合方式在围手术期并发症尤其是胰瘘发生率方面差异无统计学意义,胰胃吻合对胰腺远期内外分泌功能的影响尚不明了。对有望获得长期生存,或已经有胰腺内外分泌功能不全的病人,为避免远期的进一步损害,选择胰肠吻合较合理;而对于中段胰腺切除或胰管内乳头状黏液性肿瘤(IPMNs)的病人,可考虑胰胃吻合。总之,选择何种重建方式应综合考虑术者的操作习惯、手术方式、原发疾病的性质、胰腺的质地和内外分泌功能状态等诸多因素。     

中段胰腺切除治疗胰腺良性病变

目的探讨胰腺中段切除术对胰腺良性疾病的处理方法与效果。方法回顾性分析12例胰腺中部良性疾病的临床特征、手术方式及疗效。7例胰岛细胞瘤及3例胰腺囊肿采用胰腺中段病灶及部分胰腺切除,胰腺近端断面缝合,胰腺远端断面胰腺与空肠行Roux-en-Y吻合。2例胰腺结石采用中部胰腺切除、取石,两侧断端胰腺与空肠行Roux-en-Y吻合。结果 12例均治愈出院。无死亡,无胰瘘、出血、肠瘘等并发症。12例随访半年至3年,无腹痛、发热及低血糖等情况。结论胰腺中段切除是处理胰腺中部良性病变的一种安全有效的方法。     

Central pancreatectomy: a technique for the resection of pancreatic neck lesions

HYPOTHESIS: Central pancreatectomy has been used sparingly because the spectrum of indications is quite narrow. Although historically used for traumatic pancreatic transection and chronic pancreatitis, it currently is reserved for selective management of pancreatic neck lesions that are benign or have low malignant potential. Varying morbidity rates have been published in the literature. Our objectives were to describe the technique and determine the safety and effectiveness of central pancreatectomy in the excision of benign or low-malignant potential lesions of the pancreatic neck. DESIGN: Retrospective clinicopathologic data review. SETTING: The Mayo Clinic surgical index was used to identify procedures matched for central, median, middle, or middle segment pancreatectomy. PATIENTS: Eight patients (4 men, 4 women) underwent central pancreatectomy between 1998 and 2004. INTERVENTION: Patients with pancreatic neck or proximal body masses underwent central pancreatectomy at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were followed up closely for postoperative complications during the initial hospital admission. On follow-up, long-term endocrine and exocrine function were determined based on laboratory values and patient history. RESULTS: Abnormalities included 3 islet cell tumors, 2 serous cystadenomas, a mucinous cystadenoma, a lymphoepithelial cyst, and a recurrent liposarcoma. Mean tumor size was 2.8 cm and mean operative time was 4.8 hours with a mean blood loss of 381 mL. The most common complication was pancreatic leak (5 patients [63%]). Reoperation was necessary in 2 patients (25%), both secondary to hemorrhage. There was no mortality or new-onset diabetes mellitus. One patient transiently required oral pancreatic enzyme supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Central pancreatectomy may preserve endocrine and exocrine function. While mortality is low, in our experience, central pancreatectomy is associated with a high complication rate. The most common complication is pancreatic leak. Caution is necessary when using central pancreatectomy in the treatment of pancreatic neck lesions. Surgeon experience is of utmost importance in this decision-making process as well as the technical aspects of central pancreatectomy. The precise role of central pancreatectomy in the management of benign or low-malignant potential lesions of the neck of the pancreas remains in evolution.     

Central pancreatectomy with pancreaticogastrostomy reconstruction: A brief report and video technique

Low grade tumors located in the neck of the pancreas present a unique surgical challenge. Subtotal pancreatectomy results in significant loss of pancreatic gland and function, while pancreaticoduodenectomy may be too aggressive for these lesions. We present a case of a patient with a well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor in the neck of the pancreas who underwent a central pancreatectomy with pancreaticogastrostomy reconstruction. Patient selection and technical aspects of the procedure are described. The decision to perform a central pancreatectomy should not be made lightly as complications are frequent. Careful patient selection is imperative.     

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??Make appropriate choices between pancreaticojejunostomy and pancreaticogastrostomy with considering the long-term quality of life LIU Xu-bao??XIONG Jun-jie. Department of Pancreatic Surgery??West China Hospital??Sichuan University??Chengdu 610041??China
Corresponding author??LIU Xu-bao??E-mail: xbliu@medmail.com.cn
Abstract To reduce the complications and improve the quality of life after pancreaticoduodenectomy??it is important to choose a reasonable way for digestive tract reconstruction. Many modifications of the reconstruction method have been proposed by clinical experts. However??pancreaticojejunostomy and pancreaticogastrostomy are two basic methods for pancreatic stump and digestive tract reconstruction. While no significant differences in the perioperative complications and mortality have been described between these two reconstruction methods. Basing on current published literature??there is ongoing debate on which method to choose for reconstruction in consideration of the effect for pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function and quality of life. Relatively speaking??for some patients who may achieve long-term survival or have insufficient pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function??the pancreaticojejunostomy should be the first choice. However??pancreaticogastrostomy may be the choice for patients with difficult pancreaticojejunostomy. In conclusion??we should make a decision for the choice in reconstruction method after pancreaticoduodenectomy in view of the experience of the surgeon??the type of primary disease??and pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function.     

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for malignant pancreatic and periampullary neoplasms in elderly patients.

Forty-two patients (age range: 70 to 86 years) underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 1970 and 1990 for carcinomas of the pancreas (23), ampulla (8), common bile duct (5), duodenum (5), or islet cells (1). After resection, reconstruction was done by either pancreaticojejunostomy (13) or pancreaticogastrostomy (25); four patients had total pancreatectomy. The mean duration of operation was 5 hours, the mean blood loss was 2,200 mL, the mean transfusion requirement was 4 units of blood, and mean length of hospitalization was 22 days. There were no leaks or other complications related to the pancreatic anastomoses. Six (14%) major complications occurred including two (5%) operative deaths. Mean survival was 42 months (range: 2 to 219 months) for the entire group and 35 months for patients over the age of 80. This experience suggests: (1) pancreaticoduodenectomy can be performed with low operative morbidity and mortality in elderly patients, and advanced age should not be considered a contrainindication to this potentially curative procedure; (2) pancreaticogastrostomy is a safe and easy alternate method of reconstruction; and (3) prolonged survival is possible for elderly patients following pancreaticoduodenectomy for malignant pancreatic and periampullary neoplasms.     

Pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy: risk factors and treatment

AIM: Operative mortality rates after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) have decreased dramatically over the past 3 decades and recent series have reported no mortality. Nevertheless pancreatic leakage remains the major cause of morbidity with incidences varying between 6-16%. The aim of the study is to analyze the main etiopatogenetic factors and the treatment of this complication in the literature and, retrospectively, in own experience. METHODS: At the Clinical Surgery of the University of Genoa, from 1991 to 1995, and then at the General Surgery Department of the Hospitals of Bordighera and Imperia, between 1995 and 2003, 30 PD were completed; there were 20 males (66.6%) and 10 females (33.3%), the average age being 64.6 years (range 50-81). Indications for surgery were pancreatic head adenocarcinoma (70%), ampullary adenocarcinoma (16.6%), duodenal adenocarcinoma (6.6%) and chronic pancreatitis (6.6%).The personal method of reconstruction after PD consisting of a double Roux-en-Y on the same jejunal loop without interruption of the mesentery and a third anatomical Roux-en-Y to reconstitute the alimentary tract. The gastric stump was anastomosed with the jejunum as a Billroth II-type reconstruction in older patients. RESULTS: The mean hospital stay was 15 days (range 10-40), the operative time 397 min (range 295-500) and transfusion of red blood cells 0.2 (range 0-3). The incidence of perioperative mortality was 0; pancreaticojejunostomy leakage occurred in 3 patients (10%); one of this died 48 days after surgery for bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: the level of pancreatic fibrosis and diameter of main pancreatic duct are the more important risk factors for complications after PD. Nowadays pancreaticojejunostomy remains the standard technique; pancreaticogastrostomy, occlusion of the pancreatic duct and two-stage pancreaticojejunostomy must be reserved to selected cases. The majority of pancreatic fistulas are uncomplicated and heal with conservative treatment. The skills of the interventional radiology team provide expert management of these complications, speeding recovery times and minimizing morbidity. If surgical re-exploration is necessary, an early completion pancreatectomy may maximize survival.     

从远期生活质量再议胰肠吻合与胰胃吻合合理选择

选择合理的消化道重建方式是减少胰十二指肠切除术后并发症发生以及提高生活质量的关键。目前,各种研究报道的众多消化道重建方法均未脱离胰肠吻合和胰胃吻合两大基本方式。这两种基于不同消化道器官的重建方式在围手术期并发症发生率和病死率方面差异无统计学意义,但从已发表的文献可见,两种主要的吻合方式对胰腺远期内外分泌功能以及生活质量的影响仍处于矛盾和争议之中。相对而言,对可能获得长期生存或已经有胰腺内外分泌功能不全的病人,可考虑首选胰肠吻合;而对于难以行胰肠吻合的病人,可考虑胰胃吻合。总之,选择何种重建方式应综合考虑外科医生的经验、病人原发疾病类型和胰腺内外分泌功能状态等诸多因素做出决定。     

Personal experience of pancreas reconstruction following pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the surgical outcomes of an alternative method of pancreaticojejunostomy and pancreaticogastrostomy according to the size of the remnant pancreatic duct following pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: Eighty-four patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy by the same surgeon were retrospectively reviewed from February 1997 to December 2004. Pancreaticojejunostomy for large remnant pancreatic ducts (>5 mm in diameter) and pancreaticogastrostomy for smaller remnant pancreatic ducts (<5 mm in diameter) were alternately carried out by the surgeon. Patients' perioperative data were evaluated. RESULTS: The size of the remnant pancreatic duct was significantly different between the pancreaticojejunostomy and pancreaticogastrostomy groups (7.2 +/- 4.3 mm vs 2.9 +/- 1.6 mm, P < 0.001). Pancreaticojejunostomy was carried out in 27 patients (33.3%) and pancreaticogastrostomy was carried out in 51 patients (66.7%). The mean operation time was 327 +/- 67.4 min and the mean duration of the hospital stay was 25.5 +/- 9.1 days. Pancreatic leakage was found in 10 patients (12.3%) without leading to mortality and was successfully treated by temporary restriction of oral intake and conservative management. None of the patients required an additional surgical procedure for pancreatic leak. Other postoperative complications were unremarkable when compared with previous results. One case of massive bleeding found in the pancreaticogastrostomy group required surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Pancreaticogastrostomy and pancreaticojejunostomy according to the size of the remnant pancreatic duct can be an alternative strategy to maintain the postoperative rate of pancreatic leak within an acceptable range without hospital mortality related to this complication.     

Laparoscopic central pancreatectomy: single institution experience of 6 patients

BACKGROUND: Medial pancreatectomy is an alternative technique for benign or low-grade malignant tumors of the neck of the pancreas. We describe our experience of laparoscopic central pancreatectomy. METHODS: We conducted a prospective evaluation of laparoscopic pancreatic resection in the Department of Abdominal Surgery at Haut-Lévêque Hospital, CHU Bordeaux. From January 1999 until February 2006, 397 patients underwent pancreatic resection for pancreatic lesions, of whom 60 (15%) were enrolled for laparoscopic pancreatic resection. Of the 60 patients, 6 underwent laparoscopic central pancreatectomy. Surgical procedure, postoperative course, and follow-up data were collected. RESULTS: Laparoscopic central pancreatectomy was successful in all patients. In 1 case, we had to perform a laparotomy to find the specimen, which had been lost in the cavity during the anastomosis. The median operative time was 225 minutes (range, 180 to 365 minutes). None of the patients required blood transfusion in the perioperative period, and there was no mortality. Symptomatic pancreatic fistula occurred in 2 patients (33%). None of the patients required reoperation or radiologic drainage. Oral feeding was resumed in a median of 11 days (range, 9 to 21 days). The median postoperative hospital stay was 18 days (range, 15 to 25 days). At a median follow-up of 15 months (range, 4 to 34 months), all patients were alive without exocrine or endocrine insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic central pancreatectomy is feasible and safe. Laparoscopic central pancreatectomy may become the standard approach for resection of benign or low-grade malignant tumors of the neck of the pancreas if performed by highly skilled surgeons.     

Pancreaticogastrostomy versus pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

The best reconstruction method for the pancreatic remnant after pancreaticoduodenectomy remains debatable. We aimed to investigate the perioperative outcomes of 2 popular reconstruction methods: pancreaticogastrostomy and pancreaticojejunostomy.

Data Sources

Randomized controlled trials comparing pancreaticogastrostomy versus pancreaticojejunostomy were identified from literature databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library).The meta-analysis included 8 studies: 607 patients who underwent pancreaticogastrostomy and 604 who underwent pancreaticojejunostomy. Postoperative pancreatic fistula and intra-abdominal fluid collection rates were significantly lower after pancreaticogastrostomy compared with pancreaticojejunostomy. No statistically significant differences were found in the incidence of delayed gastric emptying, biliary fistula, hemorrhage, reoperation, wound infection, overall morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis suggests that pancreaticogastrostomy not only reduces the rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula but also decreases its severity. Pancreaticogastrostomy is associated with a lower rate of intra-abdominal fluid collection. Our results suggest that pancreaticogastrostomy should be the preferred reconstruction method.     

Is there a place for central pancreatectomy in pancreatic surgery?

Tumors located in the neck of the pancreas that are not small and superficial enough to be enucleated are usually resected with a pancreaticoduodenectomy or left splenopancreatectomy. Such operations may cause digestive disorders, glucose intolerance, and late postsplenectomy infection. Central pancreatectomy is a segmental resection whereby the cephalic stump is sutured and the distal stump anastomosed with a Roux-en-Y jejunal loop. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether central pancreatectomy has a place in pancreatic surgery. Thirteen patients with the following tumors underwent central pancreatectomy: five endocrine tumors, one mucinous and six serous cystadenomas, and one solid cysticpapillary tumor. Mean operative time was 250 minutes. Operative mortality was zero. Complications occurred in three patients (23%). At mean follow-up of 68 months, no recurrences were found. Postoperative oral glucose tolerance, pancreolauryl, and fecal fat excretion tests were normal in all patients. We believe that central pancreatectomy does have a place in pancreatic surgery; it is a reliable technique for benign or low-grade malignant tumors and has a surgical risk similar to that of standard operations. Its principal advantage is that it preserves pancreatic parenchyma and the anatomy of the upper gastrointestinal and biliary tract and the spleen better than pancreaticoduodenectomy or distal pancreatic and splenic resection. Supported in part by a grant from the Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica (M.U.R.S.T.), Rome, Italy. Presented at the Thirty-Eighth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Washington, D.C., May 11–14,1997.