Introduction : Laparoscopic pancreatic resections are widely performed. We analyzed short-term operative outcomes of laparoscopic pancreatic surgery, compared to open surgery.

Methods : We retrospectively reviewed data of 150 patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy (DP) at Chonnam National University Hospital from 2009 to 2019 and 93 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) from 2014 to 2019. We reviewed each patient’s age, sex, pathologic diagnosis, hospital stay, operative time, estimated blood loss, morbidity, 30-day mortality, incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), and post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH).

Results : 81 patients underwent open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) and 69 patients underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP). Intraoperative estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the LDP group than ODP group (200 vs. 400ml p<0.01).There was no significant difference in incidence of POPF (p=0.235), morbidity (18 vs. 30 p=0.152 ), PPH, wound infection, hospital stay and readmission. Delayed gastric emptying in LDP group occurred less than in the ODP group. 50 open PD (OPD) and 30 laparoscopic PD (LPD) were performed by single surgeon. Median operation time was 422 minutes (range. 210-695) in OPD and 527 minutes (range, 425-910) in LPD. Estimated blood loss of OPD and LPD was 500ml (range, 200-2300) and 300ml (range, 100-3000), respectively. Median hospital stay was shorter in LPD group (15.5 vs 19 days).

Conclusions : LDP showed more shorten hospital stay and less blood loss than open surgery. Operation time is longer in LPD group than OPD group. However, Hospital stay was shorter in LPD group. In conclusion, Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery is feasible and safe.