The Effectiveness of Open Distal Pancreatectomy with Spleen Vessels Preservation for the Treatment of Pancreatic Mucinous Cystic Neoplasm: Report of a Case

Mucin cyst neoplasms (MCNs) of the pancreas are rare, potentially malignant lesions accounting for about 1–2% of exocrine pancreatic tumours. They occur almost exclusively in middle-aged women and are usually located in the body and tail of pancreas. Histologically, the cyst is comprised of ovarian-type stroma which is unique among the cystic neoplasms of the pancreas. Herein, we report a case of a 25-year-old female that presented with epigastric pain. The diagnostic work-up with ultrasound, contrast-enhanced computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration revealed a cystic tumour in the body and the tail of the pancreas. The patient underwent an open distal pancreatectomy with spleen preservation and the histologic examination confirmed the presence of a MCN. We also emphasise the technical challenges to preserve the spleen vessels during distal pancreatectomy and highlight the surgical benefits of this surgical technique.