Introduction: Minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) includes both laparoscopic and robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP). MIDP is often adopted first due to the absence of the requirement of a complex reconstruction. In recent years, an increase in the use of robotic surgery has been noted.
Methods: The authors present initial experience with RDP and retrospective analysis of data from prospectively collected database.
Results: Between September 2021 and October 2022 five patients undergoing RDP with splenectomy performed in the 3rd Department of Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital were included from a prospectively maintained database. The age was from 20 to 70 years. No conversion was required. One patient underwent reoperation due to staple-line hemorrhage. Postoperative hospital stay was from 4 to 14 days. The follow-up period was from 2 to 14 months.
Conclusion: Our first experience demonstrates RDP is a safe and efficacious approach for tumors of pancreatic body and tail in selected patients. A larger number of patients is needed to obtain more accurate results.
Keywords: MIDP; RDP; minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy; robotic distal pancreatectomy.