Surgical approach and postoperative outcomes after left pancreatectomy (Spandispan prospective project)

Cir Esp (Engl Ed). 2025 Sep;103(9):800197. doi: 10.1016/j.cireng.2025.800197. Epub 2025 Aug 6.

Abstract

Introduction: Left pancreatectomy (LP) is a surgical technique with low mortality but high morbidity (30%), particularly pancreatic fistula (PF). Its minimally invasive (MI) approach has become popular, but its implementation in Spain remains unknown. We present a national multicentre study on LP to determine morbidity-mortality, PF incidence, and the percentage of MI approach.

Methods: A descriptive, observational, prospective, and multicentre study on LP.

Study period: 02/01/2022-02/28/2023.

Inclusion criteria: Elective LP.

Exclusion criteria: LP following pancreaticoduodenectomy, with celiac trunk resection, or performed as an emergency. Major complications (MC): Clavien-Dindo ≥ IIIA.

Results: A total of 41 centres participated, including 313 patients. Women accounted for 53.4%. Mean age: 63.4 years. The most common indications for LP were neuroendocrine tumours (32.6%), pancreatic adenocarcinoma (28%), and IPMN (15.7%). The surgical approach was laparoscopic (53%), open (30.7%), and robotic (16.3%). The most frequently performed techniques were distal splenopancreatectomy (72.2%) and radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) (14.4%). Complications occurred in 57.5% of patients, with 21.1% classified as MC. The most frequent was PF (38.3%), with 52.5% of PFs classified as B-C (20.1% of the total). The 90-day mortality rate was 1.6%. The use of a protective sleeve and the absence of drains were associated with the absence of PF in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion: In our series, the MI approach was significantly higher than expected (70%). The MC rate was 21.1%, and mortality was 1.6%, confirming that LP is a procedure with low mortality but high morbidity.

Keywords: Distal pancreatectomy; FP; Left pancreatectomy; Outcomes; Pancreatectomía distal; Pancreatectomía izquierda; Resultados.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy / adverse effects
  • Laparoscopy / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatectomy* / adverse effects
  • Pancreatectomy* / methods
  • Pancreatectomy* / mortality
  • Pancreatic Fistula* / epidemiology
  • Pancreatic Fistula* / etiology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Postoperative Complications* / epidemiology
  • Postoperative Complications* / etiology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Treatment Outcome