Laparoscopic-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy: a case series of 5 patients

Objective To explore the feasibility of laparoscopic-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy.Methods The clinical data of 5 patients in our hospital from January to May 2010 were analyzed. 2 patients were pre-operatively diagnosed to have lower common bile duct adenocarcinoma, and 2 patients were preoperatively diagnosed to have adenocarcinoma of the descending duodenum, 1 patient was intra-oparatively diagnosed to have pancreatic head cancer. During the operation, laparoscopic exploration was performed, then gallbladder, distant bile duct, distant stomach, duodenum, part of jejunum and head of pancreas were disassociated, then the digestive tract was reconstructed under open abdomen surgery. Results All the operations of the 5 cases were successfully performed, with an average operation time ( 339 ± 54) min and an intra-operative blood loss of (538 ± 106)ml, and there was no intra-operative blood transfusion. The patients'bowel function recovered (4.0 ± 1.0 ) d postoperatively and were discharged ( 15.8 ± 4.7 ) d postoperatively.1 patient developed pancreatic fistula and was cured with conservative treatment. Conclusions Laparoscopicassisted pancreatoduodenectomy is minimally invasive with short operation time and fast postoperative recovery,which is worth of further clinical study. Key words: Surgical procedures;  Pancreatoduodenectomy;  Laparoscopy surgical procedures; Assisted