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Noninvasive Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms can be Safely and Effectively Treated by Limited Pancreatectomy

¹ Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, 7 Chung-Shan South Rd, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
² Department of Gastroenterology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China

Correspondence: Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Yu-Wen Tien, MD, PhD; E-mail: ywt5106{at}ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw

Background: Appropriate management of cystic lesions of the pancreas is controversial. Major pancreatectomies (pancreaticoduodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy) are the commonly used procedures, even though most cystic lesions are noninvasive neoplasms. We tested the adequacy of limited pancreatectomies in the treatment of pancreatic cystic lesions.

Methods: Data from 109 patients who underwent surgical resection of a pancreatic cystic lesion at National Taiwan University Hospital from 2001 to 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Major pancreatomies (n = 79) constituted pancreaticoduodenectomy and total/distal pancreatectomies, while other resection procedures (n = 30) represented limited pancreatectomies. Clinicopathologic features were compared between the major and limited groups.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences in sex, age, presence of symptoms, cyst diameter, minor or major treatment complications, or pancreatic leakage between the two groups. Cystic lesions located in the neck/body/tail rather than in the head/uncinate process were significantly more often treated with limited pancreatectomy (P = .02). Both groups had similar pathologic distribution of cystic lesions, with the exception of nine invasive neoplasms. The latter were treated with major pancreatectomy. No recurrence was noted in 100 patients with noninvasive cystic neoplasms after major or limited pancreatectomy.

Conclusions: Noninvasive pancreatic cystic neoplasms can be safely and effectively treated by limited pancreatectomy.

Key Words: Pancreatic cyst • Cystic lesions • Pancreatectomy