Laparoscopic surgery is applicable for larger mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas

Background: Mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN) of the pancreas frequently develop in the distal pancreases of young women. Laparoscopic surgery can enhance cosmetic benefits and ease of surgery. This study assessed the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for MCN.

Methods: The medical records of 21 patients pathologically diagnosed with benign MCN after laparoscopic resection were reviewed. Clinical data were compared in the 11 patients with tumors ≥ 45 mm (large tumor group) and the 10 patients with tumors < 45 mm (small tumor group).

Results: Laparoscopic resection was completed in all patients, including distal pancreatectomy with (n = 9) and without (n = 11) spleen preservation and enucleation for pancreatic head lesion (n = 1). Operation time, blood loss, postoperative morbidity, and hospital stay were similar in the two groups. Spleen-preserving pancreatectomy could be more frequently completed in the small MCN group (P = 0.02). No recurrence was observed during a median follow-up period of 12 months.

Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery can be completed in all patients with benign MCN, even those with large tumors, and patients with small MCN can get the additional benefit of spleen preservation.