Distal Pancreatectomy for Neuroendocrine Tumor

Distal pancreatectomy is a term applied to resection of that portion of the pancreas extending to the left of the midline and not including the duodenum and distal bile duct. Distal pancreatectomy is performed for various indications, including benign inflammatory conditions and benign and malignant neoplasms. In the past decade, pancreaticoduodenectomy, or resection of the head of the pancreas, has been performed with increased frequency because of a marked reduction in procedure-related morbidity and mortality rates. The frequency of resection of the distal pancreas has not risen as dramatically during this period, primarily because of the relative infrequency of resectable malignant pancreatic neoplasms involving the body and tail of the gland and a general dissatisfaction with distal resection for the management of chronic pancreatitis. Video by Ilya Gotsadze (M.D., Ph.D.)