Abstract
Objectives Pancreatic stump closure in laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (Lap-DP) is commonly performed using an automatic stapler. Herein, the magnification effect of laparoscopy was used to observe the pancreatic stump and retrospectively investigate factors that may cause postoperative pancreatic fistula. Methods This is a single-center retrospective study. We selected 62 cases of Lap-DP performed between March 2016 and May 2022. We retrospectively analyzed 54 cases where pancreatic transection sites could be observed using an intraoperative video. Pancreatic transection was performed using the Powered ECHELON FLEX®+ GST® System (Ethicon, Somerville, USA). For quantitative studies, we investigated the factors that cause pancreatic fistula and other factors causing pancreatic fistula. Results Pancreatic parenchymal hemorrhage and injury occurred in 22.2% and 29.6% of cases, respectively. International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery grade B/C pancreatic fistula was observed in 12 cases (22.2%). Univariate analysis of pancreatic (n = 12) and nonpancreatic (n = 42) fistula groups showed no significant differences in pancreatic thickness. The pancreatic fistula group had a significantly high incidence of the hard pancreas (p = .009), pancreatic parenchymal bleeding (p = .002), and pancreatic parenchymal damage (p < .001). Multivariate analysis revealed that pancreatic parenchymal damage was an independent cause of pancreatic fistula (hazard ratio, 81.4 (8.5-772.3), p < .001). Conclusion Pancreatic parenchymal damage due to compression during pancreatic stump closure using an automatic stapler in Lap-DP may cause pancreatic fistula.