A critical appraisal of laparoscopic pancreatic enucleations: right-sided procedures (Pancreatic Head, Uncus) are not mini-invasive surgery.

Laparoscopic pancreatic enucleation is increasingly performed worldwide. Few small-sized series show encouraging results, especially after enucleations performed for lesions located in the left part of the pancreas. The outcome of laparoscopic pancreatic enucleations was retrospectively evaluated by the analysis of prospectively collected parameters. Results of right-sided (head/uncus) and left-sided (neck/body/tail) enucleations were compared. From 1997 to 2010, 25 patients underwent laparoscopic pancreatic enucleation. The conversion rate was 12%, mean operating time was 158 minutes, and mean blood loss was 106 mL. Morbidity was 56% and the rate of pancreatic fistula 32%. Outcome differed between patients undergoing right-sided and left-sided enucleations, the operative time being 178 versus 132 minutes, morbidity 64% versus 45%, and median hospital stay 26 versus 9 days, respectively. Pancreatic enucleation is feasible by laparoscopy, with a high success rate and no mortality but significant morbidity. Laparoscopy seems to be of no use in right-sided procedures. Pancreatic fistula is still the main cause of long-lasting morbidity.

Laparoscopic minor pancreatic resections (enucleations/atypical resections). A long-term appraisal of a supposed mini-invasive approach.

INTRODUCTION: A few retrospective, small, often multicentric studies show encouraging results of laparoscopic minor pancreatic surgery, but do not allow for an evaluation of feasibility and effectiveness. AIM: Evaluation of the results of laparoscopic minor pancreatic resections (LMPR), including atypical resections and enucleations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The outcome of all consecutive patients undergoing LMPR in a tertiary care university hospital specializing in the laparoscopic approach to solid organs (I.M.M., Paris - France) was retrospectively evaluated by the analysis of operating time, blood loss, conversion, morbidity, stay and late outcome. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients underwent LMPR (29 enucleations and 4 atypical resections) for various diseases. The conversion rate was 21%, mean operating time 189 min, and mean blood loss 133 ml. Morbidity was 60%; 10 patients (30%) presented a pancreatic fistula. Pancreatic fistula was independent of type of resection, technique of pancreas section, management of enucleated surface and somatostatin administration. Median stay for enucleations was 18 days. Mean follow-up was 61 months. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic pancreatic enucleation is feasible and safe, with no mortality, no lengthening of operating time and a high success rate. Conversely, it does not imply a reduction in complications or hospital stay at the present state of the art.