Minimally Invasive Pancreatectomy: Robotic and Laparoscopic Developments

Abstract

Minimally invasive pancreatectomy is increasingly used. Although offering potential advantages over open approaches, minimally invasive pancreatectomy has many challenges to maintain high-quality of oncologic resection. Multiple patient and surgical factors should be considered in planning laparoscopic or robotic resection, including the learning curve required to produce proficiency. For pancreaticoduodenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, and other pancreatic resections, a safe, margin-negative resection remains the goal. National and societal guidelines for the adoption of minimally invasive pancreatectomy are ongoing and will continue to be important as these techniques are further adopted.

Keywords: Laparoscopy; Minimally invasive surgery; Pancreatectomy; Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor; Robotic; Surgery.