Laparoscopic vs open resection of pancreatic endocrine neoplasms: single institution’s experience over 14 years

Background Laparoscopic resection of benign pancreatic endocrine neoplasms (PENs) has become the standard of care for tumors in the pancreatic tail. Over a 14-year period, we have resected both benign and malignant tumors of the entire pancreas laparoscopically and compared our survival and complication rates with open controls. Materials and methods We collected our data retrospectively and reviewed our outcomes with an actuarial 5-year survival according to Kaplan–Meier. Patients who underwent minimally invasive techniques were compared to patients who were approached with open techniques. Results From April 1992 to September 2006, we operated on 31 patients for PENs: 13 (42%) were operated on using open techniques and 18 (58%) laparoscopically, and conversion occurred in one patient (6%). In the laparoscopic group, eight (47%) tumors were malignant compared to six (43%) in the open group. Operative times averaged 188 min for the minimally invasive approach and 305 min for the open approach (p = 0.02). Length of stay was 25 days (range 8–82) for the laparoscopic group compared to 20 days (range 6–63; p > 0.05). Overall morbidity and fistula rates ranged from 67 to 24% in the laparoscopic group to 69 to 38% in the open group (p > 0.05). There were no postoperative mortalities. The average follow-up was 63 months for the open group and 33 months for the laparoscopic group. The overall actuarial survival rates were both 90% at 5 years. Conclusions Laparoscopic resection of benign and malignant PENs has similar overall complication and 5-year survival rates as the open technique; however, the laparoscopic approach is associated with shorter operative times.