Minimal invasive therapy for malignant pancreatic disease

The feasibility of laparoscopic palliation for irresectable pancreatic cancer was studied and compared to open surgery. Fourteen patients undergoing laparoscopic palliation between 1995 and 1998 were compared to 13 patients operated on conventionally in the same time interval. The second control group was matched with the laparoscopic group for Age, sex, tumor stage and location, performance status, experience of surgeon, and operation. Morbidity was 7%, 46% and 43% in the three groups, respectively. Mortality was reduced to nil in the laparoscopic group compared to 31% and 28% in the open groups. Postoperative hospital stay dropped from 15 and 21 days in the open groups to 9 days after laparoscopic operation. Both operating time and pain medication could be reduced by minimally invasive operation. Laparoscopic palliation seems to reduce both risk and hospital stay after palliative bypass in irresectable pancreatic cancer.