Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) for Tumor of the Pancreatic Head. 1 st Case Performed in West Africa

Abstract

The objective was to present a surgical technique for laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) for a tumor of the pancreatic head in a resource-limited setting. The case involved a 55-year-old female patient with a localized tumor of the pancreatic head and a negative metastatic workup. Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy was indicated. En bloc resection with lymphadenectomy was performed, and reconstruction followed the Child technique. The specimen was extracted through a small midline incision, and two drains were placed. The operative time was 630 minutes, with estimated blood loss of 300 cc. Postoperative care included transfer to the intensive care unit with transfusion of two units of A+ blood, fresh frozen plasma, and initiation of parenteral nutrition. A biliary fistula was observed on postoperative day 4. Conclusion : The development of laparoscopic pancreatic surgery has been slow due to the anatomical location of the pancreas, the technical difficulty of the procedure, the low number of patients with localized tumors, and a lack of appropriate equipment in our region.