AISP - 36^th National Congress. Bologna, Italy. October 4-6, 2012

Ninety-Percent Distal Pancreatectomy

Nelide De Lio, Mario A Belluomini, Stefano Signori, Francesca Costa, Dario Tartaglia, Andrea Gennai, Franco Mosca, Ugo Boggi

Division of General and Transplant Surgery, University of Pisa. Pisa, Italy

Context Brittle diabetes typically plagues the quality of life of patients after total pancreatectomy. Sparing even a small amount of endocrine tissue avoids extreme glycemic fluctuations, by maintaining a source of servo-regulated endogenous production of all pancreatic hormones (insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide). Objective We report on the outcome of a selected group of patients undergoing ninety-percent distal pancreatectomy (90% DP). Methods From April 2000 to May 2012, 90% DP was performed in 26 patients: 7 males (27%) and 19 females (73%), with a mean age of 68 years (range 40-79 years). Twenty-three patients underwent conventional open resection while 3 had a laparoscopic operation (robot-assisted in 2 of them). Splenectomy was associated in 24 patients (92%), while 2 had a multivisceral resection. Segmental resection of peripancreatic vessels was associated in 4 patients (1 celiac trunk-hepatic artery, and 3 superior mesenteric/portal vein). Results Seventeen patients were diagnosed with ductal adenocarcinoma (65%), 3 with well-differentiated endocrine tumor (12%), 3 with a serous cystadenoma, 1 with a mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (4%), 1 with carcinoma on IPMN, and 1 patient with chronic pancreatitis. Mean operative-time was 330 minutes (range 180-535 minutes). There was no post-operative mortality with a morbidity of 40%. Pancreatic fistula was recorded in 8 patients (32%) and was always managed conservatively. Thirteen patients developed insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (50%) and 16 developed exocrine insufficiency (61%) requiring enzyme supplementation. Conclusions 90% DP may be considered in patients with centrally located pancreatic lesions to avoid the complications due to pancreatic exocrine and endocrine insufficiency. In selected patients 90% DP may be performed laparoscopically, especially if robotic assistance is available. Careful patient selection and extended experience in pancreatic surgery are crucial to achieve the best results.