What is it?
When disease is confined to the body or tail of the pancreas, it can often be treated by removing just this portion rather than the more extensive Whipple's procedure used for problems in the head.
Who is this for?
- Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
- Mucinous cystic neoplasms
- Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN)
- Localized chronic pancreatitis or confined cancers
How is the procedure performed?
- Several small incisions replace a large abdominal opening
- Magnified 3D view clearly identifies the splenic artery and vein
- Fine dissection separates the pancreas from splenic vessels
- Higher rates of successful spleen preservation than open surgery
What are the benefits?
Clear identification of the splenic artery and vein supports safe spleen preservation.
Higher rates of successful spleen-sparing surgery than the open approach.
Reduced blood loss while dissecting close to major splenic vessels.
Smaller incisions than a traditional open distal pancreatectomy.
Less pain and a shorter hospital stay during recovery.
Quicker return to normal eating and daily activity.
Careful drain monitoring supports early detection of any pancreatic fluid leak.
Individually planned around the size, location, and vessel involvement of the disease.
What should patients expect (risks & recovery)?
A pancreatic fluid leak from the cut edge of the gland remains a recognized risk regardless of technique, and patients are monitored closely afterward, often with a temporary drain to catch and measure any leakage. The decision to preserve or remove the spleen, and the overall surgical plan, is made individually based on the disease's size, location, and relationship to nearby blood vessels, guided by detailed pre-operative CT imaging. When the spleen must be removed, patients receive specific vaccinations beforehand to protect against certain infections, planned well in advance of surgery. Recovery is generally steady, with a return to normal eating and activity within a few weeks.
