Resection of the retroportal pancreatic lamina during a cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy: first dissection of the superior mesenteric artery

We report a modification of the standard resection of the retroportal pancreatic lamina during pancreaticoduodenectomy. The resection begins with the dissection of the origin of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) above the left renal vein and a step-by-step section of the retroportal pancreatic lamina on the right side of the SMA, then the pancreatic head is retracted to the left and freed from the portal vein, and lastly the neck of the pancreas is transected. This technique allows a total lymph node clearance, secures the dissection of the SMA, and allows safe identification of anatomic variations like a replaced right hepatic artery originating from the SMA.     

Pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy: incidence,risk factors and management

Background: Pancreatic fistulae post distal pancreatectomy still leads to significant morbidity and if not properly managed, may lead to mortality. The identification of risk factors and effective management of patients with pancreatic fistulae is important in the prevention of these complications. Methods: There were 75 open consecutive distal pancreatectomies in the Department of Surgery, Changi General Hospital from May 2001 to May 2007. Results: The indications for operation were neuroendocrine tumours (n= 15), adenocarcinoma (n= 20), Intraductal papillary mucinous tumour (IPMT) (n= 20), serous cysts (n= 15) and trauma (n= 5). There were 20 patients (27%) who developed pancreatic fistulae in the whole series. On univariate analysis, the patients with pancreatic fistulae had significantly more pre‐morbidities, softer pancreas and use of staplers as a method of closure of the pancreatic remnant. On multivariate analysis, the use of staplers and soft pancreas were significant independent risk factors for the development of pancreatic fistulae in our patient population. All of the patients with pancreatic fistulae were successfully treated non‐surgically with no mortality in the whole series. Conclusions: The use of stapler on soft pancreas leads to a higher risk for pancreatic fistulae after distal pancreatectomies. Most pancreatic fistulae can be managed non‐surgically with good outcome.     

The practice of pancreatic resection after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

The morbid obesity epidemic in the United States has resulted in increasing numbers of patients who have undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass who require surgical management of nonbariatric disorders. When pancreatic resection is indicated in bariatric patients, consideration of the altered foregut anatomy can be applied to the principles of pancreatic resection to foster effective techniques that minimize operative complications. A retrospective review and analysis of bariatric patients who underwent pancreatic resection at the Medical University of South Carolina Digestive Center over a 2-year period (2006 to 2007) was conducted to assess indications for operation, operative techniques, and postoperative outcome in patients with previous Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. There were five patients (four female, one male) identified with a mean age of 35 years (range, 32-50 years). The mean time interval from gastric bypass to pancreatic resection was 42.6 months (range, 10-72 months). Indications for pancreatic operations were islet hyperplasia in two patients, chronic pancreatitis in two, and serous cystadenoma in one. Two patients underwent duodenal-preserving pancreatic head resection (Beger procedure) and three underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Mean length of hospital stay was 11.4 days (range, 5-22 days). Two patients had extended hospital stay as a result of gastrointestinal ileus. There was no other operative morbidity or mortality. Mean length of patient follow up was 9.8 months (range, 1-17 months). Specific operative techniques used in pancreatic head resection were duodenal preservation, pancreatic drainage with an omega loop constructed from a mid-Roux limb, and excluded stomach gastrostomy. Techniques used in pancreatic tail and body resection were splenectomy discontinuous from pancreatectomy, division of the splenic vein and artery at the pancreatic neck early in surgery, retrograde dissection of the pancreas body and tail, and dissection of the body and tail posterior to the Roux limb leaving the Roux limb intact. Pancreatic resection after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is safe and effective when using prescribed operative principles that minimize disruption of the foregut reconstruction and adds protection to the gastric remnant with a gastrostomy for decompression and access for enteral alimentation when necessary.     

The incidence of wound infection after stapled or sutured bowel anastomosis and stapled or sutured skin closure in humans and guinea pigs

In a study of antimicrobial prophylaxis in colorectal surgery, a higher incidence of wound sepsis was noted in patients who underwent stapled rather than sutured anastomoses and skin closures. There were six wound infections in 69 patients (8.7%) who underwent nonstapled anastomoses compared with seven in 28 (25%) in whom GIA or EEA staplers were used (p = 0.003). Excluding the EEA-stapled cases, the infection rate was 29% (p = 0.022). In patients who underwent sutured anastomoses, there were no wound infections in 21 whose skin was closed with sutures compared with five in 38 patients (13%) with stapled skin closure (p = 0.082). In an experimental guinea pig model dual incisions were infected with Bacteroides fragilis and Escherichia coli. One incision was then closed with staples, the other with sutures. There was a statistically significant (p = 0.016) advantage to the use of staplers. The possible significance of these results is discussed.     

Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery in patients with chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: In recent years, technological advances and technical refinements to laparoscopic instruments have encouraged some surgeons to explore the application of laparoscopic methods to benign disorders of the pancreas. The aim of this report was to evaluate the feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic pancreatic surgery in patients with chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: One group of five patients with disease of nonalcoholic origin localized in the body-tail of the pancreas underwent distal pancreatectomy with preservation of the splenic vessels; a second group of six patients with symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts (alcoholic origin in four cases and idiopathic in two cases) underwent laparoscopic transgastric drainage. For distal pancreatectomy and spleen salvage, the patient's positioning was half-lateral decubitus with the left side up. Four ports were used. A comparison was made with 41 patients with chronic, pancreatitis who underwent conventional open distal pancreatectomy. For the patients with laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy, the mean operative time was 4 h (range 3-5). RESULTS: There were no pancreatic-related complications, but one patient was reoperated for perforation of duodenal ulcer. The mean hospital stay was 6 days and the mean time to resume normal daily activities was 3 weeks. Laparoscopic pseudocyst drainage was performed in four patients via laparoscopic anterior gastrostomy and two patients via laparoscopic intraluminal cystogastrostomy. The mean operative time was 100 min (range 60-160). There was no morbidity. The mean hospital stay was 5 days, and the mean time to resume normal daily activities was 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: This study provides information about the possibilities of performing laparoscopic surgery in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with preservation of the splenic vessels and laparoscopic transgastric drainage are feasible and safe techniques. They offer obvious advantages, such as reduction of the parietal damage to the abdomen, a shorter hospital stay, and an earlier postoperative recovery than can be obtained with conventional open pancreatic resection.     

Determination of cell viability after laparoscopic tissue stapling in a porcine model

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Surgical stapling devices are often used to secure the distal ureter along with a cuff of bladder during laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. As the viability of cells within the stapled tissue would be important in patients with upper urinary-tract transitional-cell carcinoma, we determined the viability of cells within the lines of various commercially available staplers in a porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four laparoscopic stapling devices were used: two vascular and two tissue designs (US Surgical, Norwalk, CT, and Ethicon, Cincinnati, OH). The devices were deployed across a portion of the bladder, much as they would be during a nephroureterectomy to create a bladder cuff while excising the distal ureter. The animals were sacrificed 6 weeks later, and the stapled sites were harvested for histopathologic examination by an experienced genitourinary pathologist (PH). RESULTS: Grossly, there were no visible staples at harvest of the stapled bladder and the ureterovesical junction, with a completely healed bladder being seen in all four animals. On histologic examination with hematoxylin and eosin staining, there were distinctly viable cells within the staple lines of the ureterovesical junction and the bladder wall, similar to the unstapled control tissue. There were viable cells in all samples of tissues stapled by either vascular or tissue staplers. CONCLUSIONS: Deployment of both vascular and tissue staplers resulted in viable cells within the staple lines at the ureterovesical junction and bladder wall in this porcine model. There is a potential risk of tumor recurrence at the stapled site in patients who have the ureter and bladder cuff secured with these devices during laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper-tract transitional-cell carcinoma. Despite this concern, to date, over a period of 13 years, clinical experience has not revealed a single case of tumor recurrence within the stapled cuff of bladder. Careful endoscopic evaluation of the stapled bladder-cuff site after laparoscopic nephroureterectomy should minimize the potential for local tumor recurrence.     

Cholecystoenteric anastomosis with the EEA stapler for cancer of the pancreas

The integrity of a stapled anastomosis of the small bowel to the gallbladder with malignant distal biliary obstruction was investigated. Seven dogs were studied during a 52 week period following completion of a cholecystoenterostomy (Roux-Y) with an EEA stapler for bypass of a ligated common bile duct. A widely patent and secure anastomotic line was documented. Three human patients with unresectable cancer of the head of the pancreas who underwent stapled cholecystojejunostomies received excellent palliation as well. Cholecystojejunostomy with the EEA stapler is a rapid and safe procedure for unresectable, malignant distal biliary obstruction.     

OESOPHAGOGASTRECTOMY WITH AN ANASTOMOSIS USING LINEAR STAPLERS

Background: Fibrous stricture formation causing dysphagia after oesophagogastrectomy with a circular stapled or sutured anastomosis remains a significant complication, occurring in up to one-third of cases. An anastomosis that avoids this complication would be desirable, given that resection is often performed to palliate dysphagia. We describe a technique of oesophag-ogastric anastomosis using linear staplers which eliminates the postoperative complication of fibrous stricture formation. Method: A retrospective analysis of 111 consecutive patients who underwent oesophagogastrectomy for neoplasm or benign oesophageal stricture between March 1980 and April 1991 was carried out. Cadaveric models of the anastomosis were constructed and compared to models of circular stapled anastomoses. Results: An anastomosis using linear staplers was used in 111 patients with a leak rate of 2.7%, 30-day and hospital mortality rates of 5.4% and 8.1%, respectively, and no benign stricture formation. In the cadaveric models, the cross-sectional areas of the linear stapled anastomoses were greater than those of the circular stapled anastomoses, suggesting that this is an important factor in preventing fibrous stricture formation. Conclusions: An anastomosis using linear staplers can be performed with a low leak rate, an acceptable operative mortality and no benign stricture formation. We suggest that an anastomosis using linear staplers should be the preferred type of anastomosis in oesophagogastrectomy.     

胰腺实性假乳头状瘤的临床病理特点及诊治体会

目的 探讨胰腺实性假乳头状瘤（SPTP）临床病理特点及诊治经验。方法 回顾性分析2004年2月至2012年11月经病理证实的23例SPTP病例的临床特征、手术及病理资料和随访结果。结果 男7例,女16例;年龄10～63岁,中位年龄39岁。肿瘤位于胰头/颈部8例,胰体尾部15例。1例行单纯胰腺肿瘤局部切除,4例行胰十二指肠切除,2例行胰腺中段节段性切除（1例为腹腔镜手术）,5例行胰腺体尾切除（其中1例因合并肝癌加行肝右后叶切除）,11例行胰腺体尾切除加脾切除。术后住院6～35 d,中位术后住院日13 d。术后总并发症发生率43.5%（10/23）,无再手术及围手术期死亡病例。肿瘤直径1.5～15 cm,平均（5.9±0.7）cm。病理特征为肿瘤细胞围绕纤细血管轴心形成特征性的假乳头状结构,细胞形态一致,核异型性不明显。8例表现为胰腺组织、神经浸润或脾脏侵犯,诊断为恶性胰腺实性假乳头状瘤。免疫组化显示AAT/AACT、Vimentin、β-catenin、CD56阳性率均100%,Syn、CgA、CD10、PR部分阳性。23例均获随访,平均38个月,无术后复发转移及死亡,1例合并肝癌患者术后2年因肝癌复发再次行肝癌切除术,无SPTP复发转移。结论 SPTP临床表现无明显特异性;增强CT检查有助于肿瘤定位和手术风险评估;确诊依赖于病理学诊断和免疫组化;手术完整切除肿瘤能获得良好预后。     

Laparoscopic pancreatectomy: report of 22 cases

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate results of laparoscopic pancreatectomy for benign lesions of the pancreas. Peri-operative data, surgical outcomes and techniques are presented. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen women and four men underwent laparoscopic pancreatectomy and were collected retrospectively from 1999 to 2003. RESULTS: Laparoscopic pancreatectomy was attempted in 22 patients and completed successfully in 18: 10 enucleations, three distal pancreatectomies, four left pancreatectomies and one total pancreatectomy for endocrine and cystic tumors. Left and distal pancreatectomies were performed with preservation of the spleen. Four patients were converted (one enucleation, one whipple procedure and two left pancreatectomy). There was no mortality; the post-operative morbidity included two pancreatic leaks and one case of half splenic infarction. The median length of hospital stay was 12 days. CONCLUSION: Patients appear to benefit from laparoscopic pancreatectomy for pancreatic benign tumors.     

The lasso technique for laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy

Background Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with or without splenectomy is becoming an acceptable alternative to open resection for selected pancreatic lesions. One of the difficulties with this approach is manipulating the pancreas with laparoscopic instruments to avoid unnecessary injury to the pancreas, and yet obtain adequate margins. The described technique accomplishes these goals. Methods Data from all patients who underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (always with splenectomy) were reviewed for age, gender, laparoscopic completion of the resection, postoperative complications, length of hosptial stay, and pathology. The essential component of the technique is use of a Penrose drain around the neck or proximal body of the pancreas as a “lasso” for atraumatic manipulation. This technique is described in detail. Results A total of 11 patients have undergone laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy using the lasso technique. Two patients (18%) underwent conversion to an open laparotomy: the because of bleeding from the pancreatic parenchyma and the other due to local invasion of a pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The average operating time was 162 ± 39 min, and the median length of hosptial stay was 3 days. There were two (18%) pancreatic leaks, both of which were treated conservatively with resolution. Pathologic examination, found six cystic neoplasms, two neuroendocrine tumors, two masses of chronic pancreatitis, and one adenocarcinoma. Conclusions The lasso technique simplifies intraoperative manipulation of the pancreas during laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. It allows for safe manipulation of the pancreas and may expand the indications for the laparoscopic approach to pancreatic resection. This article contains a supplementary video. Presented in part at the 2004 Scientific Session of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, (SAGES), Denver, Colorado, 31 March to 2 April, 2004     

Isolated pancreatic neck rupture]

AIM OF THE STUDY: Through four cases of pancreatic neck rupture, the study aim was to emphasize the advantages of an early laparotomy when there is a doubt about a canal disruption and the risks of a later surgical management. PATIENTS AND RESULTS: Four patients were operated on for a neck disruption of the pancreas due to blunt trauma. Two patients underwent laparotomy in the first 48 hours after a radiological exploration and underwent a left pancreatectomy with spleen preservation. There were no associated injuries, no lesions of acute pancreatitis. The two other patients were, at first, medically treated and developed an acute pancreatitis with pseudocyst. They underwent laparotomy, 7 and 10 days after the trauma because of pain and hyperthermia, and a conservative treatment by cystojejunostomy was performed in difficult conditions because of the acute pancreatitis. A late pancreatic pseudocyst (4 and 6 months) occurred in two patients. CONCLUSION: When pancreatic trauma occurs, an exploration with echography, scanner, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography can suggest a neck disruption and a canal rupture. When the canal is safe, a drainage close to the pancreas is sufficient. When the rupture of the canal is suspected or proved, an early laparotomy is necessary in order to investigate the pancreas and to perform the appropriate procedure. This surgery is easier before the occurrence of pseudocyst and acute pancreatitis.     

Diabetes‐free survival after extended distal pancreatectomy and islet auto transplantation for benign or borderline/malignant lesions of the pancreas

Islet autotransplant is particularly attractive to prevent diabetes after extended pancreatectomy for benign or borderline/malignant pancreas disease. Between 2008 and 2018, 25 patients underwent left extended pancreatectomy (>60%) and islet autotransplant for a neoplasm located in the pancreatic neck or proximal body. Overall, disease‐free and diabetes‐free survivals were estimated and compared with those observed in 68 nondiabetic patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic neoplasms without islet autotransplant. Median follow‐up was 4 years. We observed no deaths and a low morbidity (nonserious procedure‐related complications in 2 of 25 patients). Patient and insulin‐independent survival rates at 4 years were 100% and 96%, respectively. Glucose homeostasis remained within a nondiabetic range at all times for 19 (73%) of 25 patients. Preoperative glycemic level and insulin resistance were major predictors of diabetes development in these patients. Patients undergoing islet autotransplant had a longer diabetes‐free survival than did patients without islet autotransplant (P = .04). In conclusion, islet autotransplant after extended pancreatic resection for neoplasms is a safe and successful procedure for preventing diabetes.     

Utility of total mechanical stapled cervical esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy: a comparison to conventional anastomotic techniques

BACKGROUND: Cervical esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy is often troubled with anastomotic leak resulting in local sepsis, postoperative stricture, and prolonged hospitalization. We compared the anastomotic outcomes and clinical course of esophagectomy patients undergoing total mechanical stapled esophagogastric anastomosis versus a partial handsewn/mechanical stapled cervical anastomotic technique. METHODS: One hundred eighty-one patients underwent transhiatal (N=146) or 3-field (abdomen/chest/neck incisions) (N=35) esophagectomy. A total mechanical stapled anastomosis was accomplished in 125 patients. A handsewn/mechanical stapled anastomosis was performed in 56 patients. The total mechanical stapled anastomosis was accomplished by using the endoscopic gastrointestinal stapler to construct the posterolateral aspect and a linear stapler to close the anterior aspect of the anastomosis. Total mechanical stapled anastomosis patients had the endoscopic gastrointestinal stapler also used to divide the left gastric vessels and the short gastric mesentery for gastric mobilization. Anastomotic outcomes were analyzed by the leak rate (contrast study) and the need of serial dilations in each group. CONCLUSIONS: Total mechanical stapled technique after esophagectomy with cervical esophagogastric anastomosis appears to be effective in reducing hospitalization and anastomotic complications compared to partial or complete handsewn techniques. Liberal use of endoscopic staplers might shorten operative time. Esophageal surgeons should be aware of the advantages and become skilled with these techniques.     

Roux-en-Y reconstruction using staplers during pancreaticoduodenectomy: Results of a prospective preliminary study

Purpose  The aim of this study was to reveal the utility of alimentary reconstruction using staplers during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), focusing on the occurrence of delayed gastric emptying. Methods  Between 2003 and 2007, 72 PDs with alimentary reconstruction were performed by a single surgeon. Since August 2006, the new Roux-en-Y reconstruction methods using staplers were applied in 26 of the patients. We compared their clinical outcomes with those of the 46 patients who underwent PD using the conventional hand-sewn reconstruction methods. Results  The results of upper gastrointestinal study showed improvement within 10 postoperative days (PODs; P = 0.03): the patients resumed eating their regular diet sooner (13 vs 6 days, P < 0.001), and both the incidence of delayed gastric emptying (43% vs 19%, P = 0.04) and the hospital stay (27 vs 21 days, P = 0.008) were reduced significantly in patients with stapled reconstruction. Despite the fact that operative costs were significantly higher for patients with stapled reconstruction (P = 0.009), hospital costs were significantly lower (P = 0.049) for those who underwent the conventional method. Conclusions  Our retrospective analysis shows that stapled reconstructions might reduce the incidence of delayed gastric emptying; however, further study will be necessary to evaluate the utility of this new method.     

Lung-sparing surgery after penetrating trauma using tractotomy, partial lobectomy, and pneumonorrhaphy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of lung-sparing surgical techniques in the surgical management of penetrating pulmonary injuries. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Academic level I trauma center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients underwent thoracic surgery for penetrating lung injuries during a 63-month period from January 1993 to March 1997. Five (12.5%) underwent anatomical lobectomy, 3 (7.5%) pneumonorrhaphy, 9 (22.5%) stapled wedge resection, and 23 (57.5%) stapled tractotomy. In total, 34 patients (85%) were treated with stapling techniques (1 anatomical lobectomy, 1 pneumonorrhaphy, 9 stapled wedge resections, and 23 stapled tractotomies) and 35 (87.5%) underwent had lung-sparing surgery for trauma. RESULTS: Morbidity and mortality rates were 40% and 5%, respectively. Patients who underwent anatomical lobectomy required longer mechanical ventilatory support, intensive care unit stay, and hospital stay and had a higher morbidity rate compared with patients who underwent lung-sparing surgery for trauma but had central and extensive pulmonary injuries. Stapled tractotomy was efficient in controlling bleeding and bronchial leaks, but, in 3 patients, parts of the divided lung parenchyma were devascularized and had to be resected. CONCLUSIONS: Lung-sparing surgery for trauma with the use of staplers can be used in the majority of patients with penetrating pulmonary injuries requiring operation. Stapled tractotomy is a rapid and effective method for controlling hemorrhage and air leaks.     

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。     

Distal pancreatectomy with and without splenectomy

Splenectomy is performed routinely during distal pancreatectomy, yet the spleen has an important role in host defence and can often be preserved. A personal series of 100 distal pancreatectomies undertaken for pancreatic disease between 1978 and 1990 included 23 patients undergoing total pancreatic resection. The remaining 77 patients, who form the basis of the present report, underwent primary distal pancreatectomy and comprised 34 women and 43 men with a median age of 41 years (range 17-78 years). Conventional distal pancreatectomy including splenectomy was performed in 42 patients (55 per cent) for chronic pancreatitis (34 patients), pancreatic neoplasia (six patients), suspected pancreatitis (one patient) or pancreatitic trauma (one patient). Conservative resection with splenic preservation was performed in 35 patients (45 per cent) for chronic pancreatitis (12 patients), suspected pancreatitis (13 patients, including eight patients with pancreas divisum), pancreatic neoplasia (six patients), recurrent acute pancreatitis (two patients) and pancreatic trauma (two patients). There were no postoperative deaths in either group. Early complications followed conventional resection in 10 patients (24 per cent) and conservative resection in seven patients (20 per cent). In five patients the splenic vessels were ligated away from the splenic hilum and the spleen was left in situ, but subsequent isotope scans and haematological indices showed no hyposplenism. The spleen can safely be preserved in many distal pancreatic resections, including those for inflammatory disease, and we now prefer a retrograde technique for dissecting the pancreas off the splenic vessels.     

Novel approach to laparoscopic resection of tumours of the distal pancreas

Background: Laparoscopic resection for small lesions of the pancreas has recently gained popularity. We report our initial experience with a new approach to laparoscopic spleen‐preserving distal pancreatectomy so that the maximum amount of normal pancreas can be preserved while ensuring adequate resection margins and preservation of the spleen and splenic vessels. Methods: Three patients underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with spleen and splenic vessel preservation over a 2‐month period. Surgical techniques and patient outcomes were examined. Results: All three patients were females, with ages ranging from 31 to 47 years. Two patients underwent resection using the conventional medial‐to‐lateral dissection as the lesion was close to the body or proximal tail of the pancreas. The third patient had a lesion in the distal tail of the pancreas and surgery was carried out in a lateral‐to‐medial manner. This new approach minimized excessive sacrifice of normal pancreatic tissue for such distally located lesions. The splenic artery and vein were preserved in all cases and there was no significant difference in clinical outcome, operative time or intraoperative blood loss. Conclusion: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with preservation of the spleen and splenic vessels is a feasible surgical technique with acceptable outcome. We have shown that a tailored approach to dissection and pancreatic transection based on the location of the lesion allows the maximum amount of normal pancreatic tissue to be preserved without additional morbidity. Although the conventional ‘medial‐to‐lateral’ approach is recommended for more proximal tumours of the pancreas, distal lesions can be safely addressed using the ‘lateral‐to‐medial’ approach.     

Middle segmental pancreatic resection: An option to treat benign pancreatic body lesions

OBJECTIVE: To clarify whether middle segmental pancreatic resection can be performed with comparable morbidity and mortality to classic pancreatic resections for lesions in the mid-portion of the pancreas. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Pancreaticoduodenectomies or distal pancreatectomy, traditionally used to treat lesions of the pancreatic body, sacrifice a significant amount of normal pancreatic tissue. Middle segmental pancreatic resection has therefore been introduced to minimize loss of functioning pancreatic tissue. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective 4-year single-center study, 40 consecutive patients with lesions of the neck or the body of the pancreas underwent a middle segmental pancreatic resection. A matched-pairs analysis comparing middle segmental pancreatic resection with pp-Whipple and distal pancreatectomy was included. RESULTS: Seventeen patients had neoplastic lesions (4 solid malignancies, 9 cystic lesions, 4 neuroendocrine tumors) and 23 patients had focal chronic pancreatitis. Postoperative surgical morbidity was 27.5% and mortality 2.5%. The reoperation rate was 5.0%. Three patients (7.5%) developed pancreatic fistula. Median postoperative hospital stay was 11 days (range, 6-62 days). After a median follow-up of 29 months, 97.4% (38 patients) of the patients were satisfied with the operation. The mean quality of life status (EORTC QLQ-C30) was comparable to a normal control population. Matched-pairs analysis revealed no differences of perioperative parameters (except operation time), morbidity, and mortality. However, endocrine pancreatic function was better preserved (P < 0.05) in patients with middle segmental pancreatic resection. CONCLUSIONS: Middle segmental pancreatic resection is an appropriate procedure for selected patients with tumorous lesions in the mid-portion of the pancreas. It preserves pancreatic parenchyma and function and has a mortality and morbidity rate comparable to other pancreatic resection procedures.