FRIDAY, April 25 (HealthDay News) -- Minimally invasive
laparoscopic surgery to remove pancreatic tumors or cysts leads to
fewer complications and shorter hospital stays, a U.S. study
finds.
In laparoscopic surgery, doctors make smaller incisions than in
traditional surgery and monitor their progress with fiber optics
and video cameras. This less invasive method is widely accepted for
gallstone removal, weight loss surgery and repair of stomach
valves.
The researchers examined more than 660 left pancreatectomies --
where part but not all of the pancreas is removed -- conducted from
2002 and 2006. About one-quarter of those operations were done
using laparoscopy.
Overall, complications occurred in about half the operations,
including about one-sixth that involved a leak of pancreatic fluid.
Compared to standard surgery, laparoscopy resulted in fewer
complications (57 percent vs. 40 percent). Patients who had the
laparoscopic procedure also had less blood loss and spent three
fewer days in hospital (six vs. nine).
The findings were to be presented at a meeting of the American
Surgical Association in New York.
"Data on patient outcomes has been scarce when it comes to
extending this approach to the surgical care of other organs,"
study author Dr. David Kooby, assistant professor of surgical
oncology at Emory University School of Medicine and the Emory
Winship Cancer Institute, said in a prepared statement.
"Still, more surgeons and institutions are doing these
procedures, and more patients and referring doctors are requesting
them. Our study shows that this approach is not only viable but may
be preferable for the pancreas," Kooby said.
More information
The MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia has more about
laparoscopic surgery.
