Preservation of splenic vessels during laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy via lateral approach

INTRODUCTION: Preserving splenic vessels during laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (SPDP-LA) is feasible and avoids unnecessary splenectomy. AIM: To present our outcomes for this unique technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and January 2012, 6 patients who underwent SPDP-LA for benign or low malignancy tumors in the pancreatic tail were included. Clinical characteristics as well as perioperative data were retrospectively recorded. RESULTS: All procedures were successful, with an average operative time of 184 min (range: 88–277 min) and average blood loss of 401.7 ml (range: 10–900 ml). The mean hospital stay was 7 days. Pancreatic fistula occurred in 2 patients but was then cured by external drainage. There was no mortality. Follow-ups were available for all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience was characterized by a lack of conversions and by acceptable rates of postoperative fistula and morbidity. The lateral approach showed beneficial results in patients without complications and short post-operative hospital stays.