Central Pancreatectomy for Benign and Low-Grade Malignant Neoplasms

Lamara A, Gadda M, Rehamnia A, Medjahdi SA, Belhatem MS, Nini B, Belkadi R and Madoui D

Published on: 2023-07-31

Abstract

The principle of preserving the pancreatic parenchyma is currently taken into consideration by surgeons when resecting pancreatic tumors, especially when it comes to benign tumors or tumors with low malignancy potential. Tumors of the left pancreas are usually treated with distal pancreatectomy, with or without spleen preservation. Central pancreatectomy, described by Dagradi and Serio [1] in 1982, can be proposed as an alternative for the treatment of benign or slightly malignant tumors, with the aim of sparing the pancreatic parenchyma. However, controversies persist, particularly with regard to higher postoperative morbidity compared to distal pancreatectomy and the risk of tumour recurrence.

We report here the case of two patients who underwent central pancreatectomy for pancreatic pseudopapillary mucinous tumour (PMTI) in a 50-year-old man, without recurrence after a 7-year follow-up, and for a well-differentiated ductal adenocarcinoma grade G2 in a 57-year-old woman, followed by adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy), and without recurrence for more than 5 years. In both cases, the distal pancreas was anastomosed to the stomach.