Objective To evaluate central pancreatectomy in pancreatic surgery. Methods The clinical data of 19 patients who received central pancreatectomy was retrospectively analyzed in the Provincial Hospital, Shandong University from Jan 2002 to Jun 2008. Results Among 19 patients, 9 patients were of islet cell tumor,4 patients were mucinous cystoadenoma,3 patients were solid pseudopapilloma, 2 patients were pancreatic carcinoid tumor, 1 patient was of cyst-solid pseudopapilloma. After resection all of them had pathological negative margin. Length of stay was ( 17. 7 ± 7. 9) days ( ranging from 10 to 40 days ). Incidence of pancreatic fistula after this pancreatectomy was 31.6%. The follow-up period was from 6 months to 6 years. All of the 19 patients were alive except 1 who was lost to follow-up after 1. 5 years. There was no recurrence nor new-onset diabetes mellitus. Conclusions Middle pancreatectomy was a proper operative approach for benign or low-malignant tumors located in the neck or the body of the pancreas. This pancreatectomy may preserve endocrine and exocrine function, and decrease the risk of postoperative new-onset diabetes mellitns.