Laparoscopic Distal Pancreatectomy Offers Shorter Hospital Stays with Fewer Complications

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) is increasingly performed for lesions of the body and tail of the pancreas. The aim of this study was to investigate short-term outcomes after LDP compared to open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) at a single, high-volume institution. Methods: We reviewed records of patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy (DP) and compared perioperative data between LDP and ODP. Continuous variables were compared using Student's t or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Categorical variables were compared using chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Results: A total of 360 patients underwent DP. Beginning in 2001, 95 were attempted, and 71 were completed laparoscopically with a 25.3% conversion rate. Compared to ODP, LDP had similar rates of splenic preservation, pancreatic fistula, and mortality. LDP had lower blood loss (150 vs. 900 mL, p < 0.01), smaller tumor size (2.5 vs. 3.6 cm, p < 0.01), and shorter length of resected pancreas (7.7 vs. 10.0 cm, p < 0.01). LDP had fewer complications (28.2% vs. 43.8%, p = 0.02) as well as shorter hospital stays (5 vs. 6 days, p < 0.01). Conclusions: LDP can be performed safely and effectively in patients with benign or low-grade malignant neoplasms of the distal pancreas. When feasible in selected patients, LDP offers fewer complications and shorter hospital stays. © 2010 The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract.