Objective: To summarize the experiences of laparoscopic pancreatectomy and to discuss its clinical indications and operative techniques.
Methods: From March 2003 to February 2010, 49 patients with pancreatic diseases, including 18 males and 31 females with a mean age of (42 ± 14) years old (range: 21 - 77), underwent laparoscopy at our department. The preoperative diagnoses included insulinoma (n = 38), cystadenoma (n = 4), cystadenocarcinoma (n = 1), nonfunctional islet cell tumor (n = 5) and solid-pseudopapillary tumor (n = 1).
Results: Thirty-nine cases underwent total laparoscopic surgery and 8 cases converted to open surgery. The operative duration was (245 ± 146) minutes (range: 90 - 960). The mean intraoperative blood loss was (191 ± 306) ml (range: 20 - 1500). Secondary operations were needed in 3 cases and pancreatic fistula occurred in 7 cases. The postoperative hospital stay was (10 ± 7) days (range: 4 - 31).
Conclusion: Laparoscopic pancreatectomy is safe and feasible in the treatment of most benign pancreatic diseases and some malignant tumors.