Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety of spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with conservation of the splenic arteries and veins in treatment of benign neoplasms of distal pancreas.
Methods: Four patients with solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm, 1 males and 3 females, aged 30 (17 - 37), underwent laparotomy. The distal pancreas with tumor was cut. The perforating branches between the splenic artery and vein and the distal pancreas were isolated, ligated, and cut. The splenic artery and vein and the short and left gastric vessels were all preserved. The spleen remained intact.
Results: The mean operation time was 208 minutes +/- 52 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 475 ml +/- 96 ml. Blood transfusion was not necessary. The mean post-operative hospital stay was 18 days +/- 13 days. No post-operative complications were found except for pancreatic leakage occurring in one patient that was cured by conservative treatment. No metastasis and recurrence was found.
Conclusion: Safe and feasible, spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with conservation of the splenic arteries and veins is one of the best choices for treatment of benign and borderline tumors of pancreas.