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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 7, 2014; 20(9): 2343-2351
Published online Mar 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i9.2343
Minimally invasive radical pancreatectomy for left-sided pancreatic cancer: Current status and future perspectives
Chang Moo Kang, Sung Hwan Lee, Woo Jung Lee
Chang Moo Kang, Sung Hwan Lee, Woo Jung Lee, Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120-752, South Korea
Chang Moo Kang, Sung Hwan Lee, Woo Jung Lee, Pancreaticobiliary Cancer Clinic, Institute of Gastroenterology, Severance Hospital, Seoul 120-752, South Korea
Author contributions: All authors contributed to this work.
Correspondence to: Woo Jung Lee, MD, PhD, Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, South Korea. wjlee@yuhs.ac
Telephone: +82-2-22282120 Fax: +82-2-3138289
Received: October 19, 2013
Revised: December 31, 2013
Accepted: January 8, 2014
Published online: March 7, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) radical distal pancreatosplenectomy is technically feasible and safe for margin-negative resection in well-selected left sided pancreatic cancer. Generally acceptable potential indications are proposed to include the following: (1) pancreas-confined tumors; (2) intact fascia layer between the distal pancreas and left adrenal gland/kidney; and (3) tumor 1-2 cm from celiac axis. The long-term oncologic feasibility remains to be discerned, but the currently available interim results are encouraging. Further clinical experience with this minimally invasive approach for left-sided pancreatic cancer should be accumulated by experienced surgeons. In the near future, surgical approaches should be specified according to the conditions of the individual pancreatic cancer case.