The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Splenic vein thrombosis and pancreatic fistula after minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy. BJS 2014; 101: 114-119.

Published: 10th December 2013

Authors: C. M. Kang, Y. E. Chung, M. J. Jung, H. K. Hwang, S. H. Choi, W. J. Lee et al.

Background

This study aimed to investigate the clinical relevance of splenic vein thrombosis (SVT) in the splenic vein remnant following minimally invasive distal pancreatosplenectomy (DPS).

Method

Medical records of patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic distal pancreatectomy (DP) with or without splenectomy between January 2006 and August 2012 were reviewed. Rates of SVT and clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) were compared in a group of patients undergoing DPS and a group having spleen‐preserving DP.

Results

Seventy‐nine patients had minimally invasive DP, of whom 38 (48 per cent) developed SVT in the splenic vein remnant. DPS was associated with POPF (P = 0·001) and SVT (P < 0·001). SVT length was closely related to the amount of peripancreatic fluid collection (P = 0·025) and POPF (P = 0·045). In a comparison of splenic vessel‐sacrificing, spleen‐preserving DP and DPS, postoperative platelet count was significantly higher in the DPS group (P < 0·001). In addition, grade of SVT (P = 0·092) and POPF (P = 0·065) tended to be associated with DPS, suggesting that SVT may be related to both splenectomy and POPF.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive DPS is associated with SVT and POPF. Preservation of the spleen should be considered when treating patients with benign and borderline malignant tumours of the distal pancreas.

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