Current application status and prospects of single-port laparoscopy in pancreatic surgery

WEI Shu-bing, YANG Chen-fenglin, YI Xin-yao, LEI Yu-tao, LI Yao, ZHANG Qi-fan

Chinese Journal of Practical Surgery ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (8) : 1145-1148.

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Chinese Journal of Practical Surgery ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (8) : 1145-1148. DOI: 10.19538/j.cjps.issn1005-2208.2026.08.24

Current application status and prospects of single-port laparoscopy in pancreatic surgery

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Abstract

Pancreatic surgery is complex, and traditional open procedures are associated with significant trauma and prolonged recovery. Driven by the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) concept, Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS), has become an important area of exploration for pancreatic surgeons due to its potential advantages, such as reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and improved cosmetic outcomes. However, SILS is technically demanding, has a steep learning curve, exhibits a pronounced “chopstick effect”, relies on specialized instruments, and notably lacks long-term oncological safety data. These factors pose major challenges to its widespread adoption, and its long-term efficacy as well as appropriate indications require validation through higher-level clinical studies.

Key words

single-incision laparoscopic surgery / pancreatic surgery / pancreatic diseases / minimally invasive surgery

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WEI Shu-bing , YANG Chen-fenglin , YI Xin-yao , et al . Current application status and prospects of single-port laparoscopy in pancreatic surgery[J]. Chinese Journal of Practical Surgery. 2026, 46(8): 1145-1148 https://doi.org/10.19538/j.cjps.issn1005-2208.2026.08.24

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Duodenum-preserving total pancreatic head resection (DPPHRt) is an accepted alternative surgical procedure for benign or low-grade malignant tumors of the pancreatic head by preserving the duodenum with its intact blood supply from the pancreatic duodenal arterial arcade. This study describes our experience in laparoscopic DPPHRt (LDPPHRt). To our knowledge, this is the first description of this novel minimally invasive operation.From August 2016 to May 2017, all consecutive patients who underwent LDPPHRt for pancreatic head lesions at the HPB Surgery Department, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital in Guangzhou, China were enrolled into this retrospective study.There were ten women and two men. The average age was 37.3 years (range 8-61 years). The average diameter of the pancreatic head lesions on pre-operative CT/MR was 3.7 cm (range 2-4.8 cm). All the LDPPHRt procedures were performed successfully. There was no peri-operative death. The average operative time was 272.5 min (range 210-320 min). The average blood loss was 215 ml (range 50-450 ml). Post-operative complications included pancreatic fistula grade B (two patients, or 16.7%) and biliary fistula (two patients, or 16.7%). All the complications responded well to conservative treatment. The mean post-operative hospital stay was 11.5 days (range 6-25 days).LDPPHRt provided a minimally invasive approach with good organ-preservation for benign or low-grade malignant tumors of the pancreatic head. The long-term oncological outcomes, and the exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions after this operation require further studies.
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Although rapid progress has been achieved in laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) over the last decade, laparoscopic duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (LDPPHR) remains a challenging surgery that has been rarely reported due to not only requiring complicated pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) but also ensuring sufficient blood supplies to duodenum and common bile duct (CBD). We completed LDPPHR for 22 patients safely and efficiently with innovative techniques.Clinical outcomes, including rate of conversion to laparotomy, time of residual pancreatic duct reconstruction, incidence of postoperative complications, and time of hospital stay, were collected for 22 consecutive patients who underwent LDPPHR with innovative techniques as follows: application of indocyanine green (ICG) to visualize and preserve CBD and the vessels supplying the duodenum and CBD, Hong's PJ, and pancreatic duct end-to-end anastomosis (ETEA) for the residual pancreas.All surgeries were performed successfully under laparoscopy except for one case. The duration of ETEA was significantly shorter than PJ (18.2 ± 5.1 min versus 27.5 ± 8.3 min, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in incidence of postoperative complications between the Hong's PJ and ETEA group. The overall incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) in the Hong's PJ and ETEA group was 23.5% and 20%, respectively, without grade C fistula. All complications were resolved after conservative treatment.By utilizing intraoperative ICG navigation, LDPPHR is a minimally invasive, safe, and efficient approach for chronic pancreatitis with pancreatic head stones by using pancreatic duct ETEA and benign or low-grade malignant tumors of the pancreatic head by using Hong's PJ.
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Footnotes

利益冲突 所有作者均声明不存在利益冲突

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China General Program(82170647)
Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation General Program(2024A151522154)
Clinical Research Fund of Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University(2025CR003)
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