OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical results of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) and open distal pancreatectomy (ODP), confirm the potential advantages of LDP.

METHODSThe medical records of 30 consecutive patients who underwent LDP were reviewed and compared with those of 42 patients who underwent ODP.

RESULTSOperation time was longer for LDP than for ODP [(186.33±58.98 min) vs (149.29±29.00 min), P=0.001], but blood loss [(223.33±143.68 ml) vs(251.19±103.29 ml), P=0.341] and spleen-saving rate(42.3% vs 61.8%, P=0.192) were no significant difference between the 2 groups. Decreased postoperative bowel recovery time [(2.37±0.85 d) vs (2.81±0.67 d), P=0.016], oral intake time [(2.37±0.85 d) vs (2.81±0.67 d), P=0.016] and length of stay [(7.43±1.57 d) vs (9.67±1.41 d), P=0.000] were seen in LDP group. However, the rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula (16.67% vs 21.43%, P=0.619) was no significant difference between the 2 groups. 3 cases of wound infection and 2 cases of lung related complication were occurred in ODP group, but none in LDP group.

CONCLUSIONLDP is a safe and effective surgical approach, providing the same surgical results comparable to that of ODP, and substantially faster recovery. However, high requirement of laparoscopic technique and equipments limited its further clinical application.