Anusak Yiengpruksawan (Ridgewood – USA) S. Raman

Background/Hypothesis
Although laparoscopic distal pancreatopslenectomy has been gaining acceptance in recent years, the technique has several disadvantages. Robotic surgery, on the other hand, has rectified those disadvantages and is believed to be suitable for complex surgery such as pancreatic surgery

Materials & Methods
A 54 year old man with a body mass index of 35kg/m2 and a neuroendocrine tumor of the distal pancreas was taken to the operating room for robotic distal pancreatosplenectomy after informed consent. With the patient in the right lateral position, the camera was introduced in the mid clavicular port. Additional ports were placed in the midline, subcostal area and the anterior axillary line.

Results
The procedure was accomplished without spillage of the tumor and with adequate oncologic clearance. The patient was discharged on the third post-operative day. One year later, he is asymptomatic without any major lifestyle changes

Conclusions
Robotic distal pancreatosplenectomy is feasible, safe and oncologically sound. Depth perception, better ergonomics and manual dexterity are advantages of this approach over laparoscopy.

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