Totally laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer

Background: In patients having locally advanced cancer of the stomach with suspected tumor infiltration to the pancreatic head or the duodenum, a concurrent pancreaticoduodenectomy with gastrectomy is occasionally prerequisite to achieve a microscopically tumor-free surgical margin. Materials and methods: We present the first series of successful totally laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (TLPD) for advanced gastric cancer with suspected infiltration to the pancreatic head. Results: TLPD was successfully performed without adverse events during surgery and resulted in favorable short-term outcomes of three patients with locally advanced gastric cancer with suspected invasion to the pancreas. Conclusions: Although TLPD for locally advanced gastric cancer is a technically difficult challenging operation that requires careful dissection along the major vessels, intracorporeal tie sutures, and the placement of an external drainage tube into a narrow pancreatic duct, this procedure is technically feasible and safe in the hands of experienced surgeons. Long-term follow-up is mandatory to validate oncological outcome.