Laparoscopic versus open pancreaticoduodenectomy for ampullary cancer: A retrospective study

Introduction

Studies comparing laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) with open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) for ampullary carcinoma (AC) are limited. This study aimed to compare short- and long-term outcomes between LPD and OPD for AC.

Methods

This study included patients with AC who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with curative intention at Ogaki Municipal Hospital from April 2008 to March 2023.

Results

Fifty-five patients underwent LPD (n = 26) or OPD (n = 29). There were no significant differences in the demographics between the two groups. The LPD group had a significantly longer operative time (268 vs. 225 min), less blood loss (125 vs. 450 mL), and shorter postoperative hospital stay (18 vs. 23 days) than the OPD group. There was no significant difference in the morbidity ratio. Fewer lymph nodes were harvested in the LPD group than OPD group (9.5 vs. 16.0), but there were no significant differences in lymph node metastasis or pathological stages. There were no significant differences in overall survival (OS) or recurrence-free survival (RFS). The 3- and 5-year OS rates in the LPD group and the OPD group were 63.0% and 54%, 64.8%, and 61.2%, respectively. The 3- and 5-year RFS rates were 57.4% and 57.4%, 58.1%, and 54.4%, respectively.

Conclusions

LPD for AC had short- and long-term outcomes comparable with those of OPD. LPD could be considered the standard treatments for AC because of less blood loss and a shorter hospital stay.