Laparoscopic versus open distal pancreatectomy: a single-institution case-control study

Background  

Laparoscopic distal pancreatic surgery has gained popularity in the last decade. However, well-designed studies comparing laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) to open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) are limited. We present a single-institution case-control study comparing outcomes of LDP to ODP.     

Transvaginal specimen removal after laparoscopic distal pancreatic resection

Purpose

Transvaginal specimen removal has been introduced 20 years ago but then abandoned. With the advent of transvaginal interventions following the introduction of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, renewed interest was generated for hybrid procedures with minimal access for the intervention and use of transvaginal (TV) specimen removal. We present the first such series after laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy.

Methods

In seven subsequent women (median age 48 years) with body and tail pancreatic tumors undergoing laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy, the new method of TV specimen removal was applied. The patients’ data and the technical successes as well as intra- and postprocedural complications were recorded prospectively. The patients were followed after discharge for gynecological examination.

Results

Specimen removal consisting of the pancreas and spleen in five and the pancreas only in two cases was technically successful; no intraoperative complications were encountered. Postoperative complications consisted of one case of intra-abdominal hemorrhage and one case of pancreatic fistula, attributable to the resection and not to TV specimen removal. Gynecological follow-up was normal in all seven patients.

Conclusions

The technique of TV specimen removal is feasible and safe also after laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. It may help to further diminish the access trauma of laparoscopic pancreatic surgery.     

Single-incision versus conventional laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: a single-institution case–control study

Purpose

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is becoming increasingly established at specialized surgical institutions worldwide. The purpose of this study was to compare single-incision laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (panLESS) with conventional laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (panLAP) to assess feasibility and 30-day morbidity.

Methods

Eight consecutive patients who underwent panLESS were matched with patients who underwent panLAP in the same time period. Matching criteria were age, body mass index, and American Society of Anesthesiologists score. Feasibility was based on tumor size, operative time, intraoperative bleeding, resection status, and hospital stay. Thirty-day morbidity was defined by the revised Accordion Classification system and the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula definition.

Results

Over a 19-month period, 8 and 16 patients were identified for panLESS and panLAP, respectively. There were no significant differences in tumor size, operative time, intraoperative bleeding, resection status, and hospital stay between the two groups. Surgical complications developed in four panLESS patients and five panLAP patients, and out of which, two patients from each group developed a postoperative pancreatic fistula (grade B).

Conclusions

This study indicates that panLESS is comparable to panLAP in terms of feasibility. More experience is needed to define what role single-incision distal pancreatectomy should have in minimal invasive pancreatic surgery.     

Laparoscopic splenic-preserving distal pancreatectomy for trauma in a child

Purpose  

To reduce the risks associated with splenectomy, there has been a trend toward splenic preservation when performing distal pancreatectomy. Although laparoscopy has gained almost universal acceptance, it is still not utilized often for pancreatic surgery in children. In fact, review of the literature shows only a few case series of splenic-preserving laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy, and even less reported experience in the pediatric population [1–3]. To our knowledge, there has been only one other report of laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy in the setting of trauma in a child [4].     

Clinical outcome of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy

Background  Few studies have compared laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (Lap-DP) and open distal pancreatectomy (open-DP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of Lap-DP and compare it to that of open-DP. Methods  A total of 37 patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy (Lap-DP, 21 patients; open-DP, 16 patients) between January 2000 and March 2007 were enrolled in this study. Prior to January 2004, open-DP was the standard procedure for patients with a lesion in the distal pancreas without invasive ductal cancer; thereafter, Lap-DP was also an approved procedure. All 16 open-DP procedures were performed prior to January 2004. Results  The operating times for the Lap-DP and open-DP patients were 308.4 ± 124.6 and 281.5 ± 83.3 min, respectively, and these were not significantly different (P = 0.4635). Blood loss for the Lap-DP group (249.0 ± 239.8 ml) was significantly smaller than that for the open-DP group (714.1 ± 650.4 ml) (P = 0.0055), and none of the patients in the Lap-DP group received transfusions. The frequency of complications for the Lap-DP and open-DP groups was 0 and 18.8%, respectively, which is not significantly different (P = 0.0784). The average hospital stay for the Lap-DP group was significantly shorter than that for the open-DP group (10.0 ± 2.6 vs. 25.8 ± 8.8 days; P < 0.0001). Conclusion  In pancreatic diseases, other than invasive ductal cancer, arising in the distal pancreas, Lap-DP might be a more feasible and safer than open-DP.     

After Distal Pancreatectomy Pancreatic Leakage from the Stump of the Pancreas May Be Due to Drain Failure or Pancreatic Ductal Back Pressure

Hypothesis  

The method to lower postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after distal pancreatectomy (DP) involves controlling risk factors for leakage from the pancreatic stump.     

LigaSure for Pancreatic Sealing During Distal Pancreatectomy

Background  

Pancreatic fistula is an unresolved problem after distal pancreatectomy. The current study investigated the safety of LigaSure for distal pancreatic resection in a porcine model.     

Spleen and gastrosplenic ligament preserving distal pancreatectomy under a minimum incision approach assisted by laparoscopy

Background  

As a modification of hand-assisted laparoscopic pancreatectomy, we devised a method of spleen and gastrosplenic ligament preserving distal pancreatectomy, in which pancreatic resection is performed under direct vision extracorporeally.     

High Surgical Morbidity Following Distal Pancreatectomy: Still an Unsolved Problem

Background  

High surgical morbidity following distal pancreatectomy, especially pancreatic fistula, remains an unsolved problem. The aim of this study was to identify potential risk factors for surgical morbidity with a focus on the development of pancreatic fistula.     

Ten years of experience with resection of left-sided pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: evolution and initial experience to a laparoscopic approach

Background  

With increasing laparoscopic experience, laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with or without splenectomy is being regarded as a safe and effective treatment for benign and borderline malignant lesions of the pancreas; however, its application for left-sided pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still debatable.     

Postoperative narcotic use is associated with development of clinically relevant pancreatic fistulas after distal pancreatectomy

Background

Various strategies to decrease postoperative pancreatic fistula after a distal pancreatectomy have proved unsuccessful. Because narcotics can cause spasm of the sphincter of Oddi and thereby increase pressure within the pancreatic duct stump, we hypothesized that increased narcotic use would be associated with increased occurrence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy.

The Influence of Staple Size on Fistula Formation Following Distal Pancreatectomy

Background  

Pancreatic fistula continues to be a source of significant morbidity following distal pancreatic resections. The technique of pancreatic division varies widely among surgeons, and there is no evidence that identifies a single method as superior. In our practice, the technique of distal pancreatic resection has evolved from cut-and-sew to stapled technique with green and recently white cartridge. The aim of our study was to evaluate the rate of clinically significant fistulas [International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula (ISGPF) grade B or C] following distal pancreatectomy and to identify variables associated with a low rate of fistula development.     

Soft coagulation,polyglycolic acid felt,and fibrin glue for prevention of pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy

Purpose  

To evaluate the effectiveness of using soft coagulation followed by the application of polyglycolic acid (PGA) felt and fibrin glue to prevent pancreatic fistula (PF) after distal pancreatectomy (DP).     

Effect of TachoSil Patch in Prevention of Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula

Background  

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a severe complication after pancreatic resections. The aim was to assess if application of TachoSil? patch could reduce incidence of postoperative fistulas after laparoscopic distal pancreatic resections.     

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.     

Morbimortalidad de la resección pancreática

Aim

Assess the postoperative morbidity rates in pancreatic resection.

Material and method

Prospective observational study which includes 117 patients who underwent surgery consecutively due to pancreatic or periampullary tumours. In 61 of the patients, cephalic pancreatectomy was carried out; 15 underwent total pancreatectomy; one underwent enucleation and 40 underwent distal pancreatectomy.

Results

Overall morbidity was 48.7% (59% for cephalic pancreatectomy, 35% for distal pancreatectomy and 46.7% for total pancreatectomy). The most frequent complications were intra-abdominal abscesses and collections (15.38%) and medical complications (13.68%). The incidence of pancreatic fistula was 9.83% for cephalic pancreatectomy and 10% for distal pancreatectomy. The reintervention incidence was 14.53%. Overall mortality was 5.12% (6.56% for cephalic pancreatectomy, 2.5% for distal pancreatectomy and 6.67% for total pancreatectomy). The presence of postoperative complications, the need for reintervention and the fact of being over 70 years of age correlated significantly with mortality.

Discussion

Pancreatic resection has high morbidity rates. Mortality is low and is practically limited to patients older than 70 years.     

Single Incision Laparoscopic Pancreas Resection for Pancreatic Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Background:

Transumbilical single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) offers excellent cosmetic results and may be associated with decreased postoperative pain, reduced need for analgesia, and thus accelerated recovery. Herein, we report the first transumbilical single incision laparoscopic pancreatectomy case in a patient who had renal cell cancer metastasis on her pancreatic corpus and tail.

Methods:

A 59-year-old female who had metastatic lesions on her pancreas underwent laparoscopic subtotal pancreatectomy through a 2-cm umbilical incision.

Results:

Single incision pancreatectomy was performed with a special port (SILS port) and articulated equipment. The procedure lasted 330 minutes. Estimated blood loss was 100mL. No perioperative complications occurred. The patient was discharged on the seventh postoperative day with a low-volume (20mL/day) pancreatic fistula that ceased spontaneously. Pathology result of the specimen was renal cell cancer metastases.

Conclusion:

This is the first reported SILS pancreatectomy case, demonstrating that even advanced surgical procedures can be performed using the SILS technique in well-experienced centers. Transumbilical single incision laparoscopic pancreatectomy is feasible and can be performed safely in experienced centers. SILS may improve cosmetic results and allow accelerated recovery for patients even with malignancy requiring advanced laparoscopic interventions.     

Laparoscopic approach to distal and subtotal pancreatectomy: a clockwise technique

Background  

Laparoscopic surgery is becoming a more widely used approach for benign and malignant lesions in the neck, body, and tail of the pancreas. Recent literature reports appear to demonstrate that laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) has clear benefits compared with open distal pancreatectomy (ODP). However, the procedure is relatively new and in some patients may remain a technically demanding operation.     

Laparoscopic extended (subtotal) distal pancreatectomy with resection of both splenic artery and vein

Background

Spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy can be performed safely and effectively by resecting both splenic vessels (Warshaw procedure) [1–4]. This simplified spleen-preserving technique might also be applied to minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy of benign and borderline malignant tumor [5, 6].

Methods

Although the conservation of both splenic vessels is paramount to preserving the spleen during laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy, preservation of the splenic vessels is not always possible, especially under the following conditions: (1) relatively large tumor, (2) associated with chronic pancreatitis, (3) tumor abutting splenic vascular structures, and (4) bleeding during the splenic vessel conserving procedure, which are potential indications of laparoscopic extended Warshaw procedure. Patient preparation and position was the same as that described in our previous study [7].

Results

During the study’s time period, 38 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy. Of those, five patients underwent a laparoscopic extended Warshaw procedure, which all included among 16 patients of extended distal pancreatectomy by dividing the pancreas at the pancreatic neck. All patients were women with a median age of 55 (range, 38–75) years. Median total operation time and blood loss were 215 (range, 200–386) minutes and 100 (range, 0–300) ml, respectively. The median length of hospital stay was 8 (range, 5–15) days. All of postoperative complications (two grade A and two grade B postoperative pancreatic fistula; one grade A bleeding) were able to be treated conservatively. During the median follow-up period of 11 (range, 7–42) months, one focal splenic infarction and one gastric varix were noted; however, no clinically significant complications were reported.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic spleen-preserving extended distal pancreatectomy with resection of both the splenic vessels is feasible and safe [8]. This surgical technique is thought to increase the chance of preservation of the spleen with minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy in well-selected benign or borderline malignant tumor of the distal pancreas.     

Laparoscopic versus open distal pancreatectomy: a systematic review of comparative studies

Introduction  

The laparoscopic approach to distal pancreatectomy (DP) for benign and malignant diseases appears to offer advantages and is replacing open surgery in some centers. This review examined the evidence from published data of comparative studies of laparoscopic versus open DP.