Medial pancreatectomy for tumors of the neck and body of the pancreas

Objective To evaluate the safety and effectiveness value of medial pancreatectomy in treatment for tumors of the neck and body of the pancreas. Methods The date of 14 patients treated with medial pancreatectomy in our hospital from 1999 to 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. Results Pathologically, microcystic adenoma （n = 2）, adenosquamous carcinoma （ n = 1 ）, solid pseudopapillary tumor （ n = 5 ）, nonfunctioning islet cell tumor （n = 2）, cystic adenoma （n = 1 ）, cavernous angioma （n = 1 ）, serous cyst （n = 1）, chronic pancreatitis （n = 1）. Pancreatic fistula occurred in 4 cases （28.6%）, no perioperative death was observed. All the 14 cases were followed up and no recurrence was found. The medial pancreatectomy did not result in endocrine or exocrine insufficiency. Conclusion Medial pancreatectomy is appropriate for the benign and low-grand malignant tumors in the midportion of the pancreas. It preserves long-term endocrine and exocrine function effectively and is associated with a low risk of local recurrence. Key words: Pancreatic neoplasms;  Pancreatectomy;  Complication