Spleen sparing distal pancreatectomy is usually performed for small or benign looking tumors of the body and tail of the pancreas. Such tumors include neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and other cystic lesions.
The procedure of distal pancreatectomy with spleen preservation may be challenging and technically difficult when performed in the open fashion, let alone when performed laparoscopically. However, in recent years there are several reports of this procedure with good results.
The use of laparoscopic intraoperative ultrasound became a mandatory tool for such procedure when performed for small intrapancreatic lesions. This is used to localize the tumor and its relation to the major vessels and pancreatic duct, and also to exclude the presence of synchronous lesions, as may be the case in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
This video will demonstrate the technique of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with spleen preservation, performed for a mixed cystic solid lesion in the proximal body of the pancreas. The use of laparoscopic intraoperative ultrasound is well demonstrated.
Session: Podium Video Presentation
Program Number: V023