Hand-assisted laparoscopic total pancreatectomy for a main duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas

The laparoscopic approach to pancreatectomy entails a number of restrictions in performing major pancreatic surgery. This report describes a hand-assisted laparoscopic total pancreatectomy performed for a main duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas. Dissection of the gastroduodenal artery and splenic artery, and the transection of the duodenum were done through the midline mini-laparotomy, while mobilization of the spleen and the pancreatic tail and body, and Kocher’s maneuver were performed using the hand-assisted laparoscopic approach. Furthermore, dissection of lymph nodes in the hepatoduodenal ligament, removal of the gallbladder, division of the hepatic duct, tunneling of the pancreas, and dissection of the pancreas from the superior mesenteric vein and superior mesenteric artery were possible to perform safely under a pure laparoscopic technique with an excellent laparoscopic view. The reconstruction procedures were performed through the mini-laparotomy. The hand-assisted laparoscopic total pancreatectomy should be considered for the treatment of selected patients because it has various advantages as one type of minimally invasive surgery.