PANCREATIC TUMOURS AND ROBOTIC PANCREATIC RESECTION
Pancreatic tumours are abnormal growths that arise from the cells of the pancreas and may be benign, premalignant, or malignant. Malignant pancreatic tumours include pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common type, as well as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs) and other less common malignancies. Benign and premalignant lesions include serous cystadenomas, mucinous cystic neoplasms, and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), some of which have the potential to progress to cancer if left untreated.
Robotic pancreatic resection is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed using a robotic-assisted surgical system to remove benign or malignant tumours of the pancreas. Depending on the location of the lesion, the procedure may include a robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure) for tumours in the head of the pancreas, robotic distal pancreatectomy for lesions in the body or tail, or robotic central pancreatectomy for selected benign or low-grade malignant tumours.
Robotic pancreatic resection is performed under general anaesthesia, with the patient positioned to provide optimal surgical access. Several small abdominal incisions are made to insert robotic ports, through which a high-definition three-dimensional camera and robotic instruments are introduced. After docking the robotic system, the abdominal cavity is explored to confirm that the tumour is suitable for resection and that there is no evidence of metastatic disease. The pancreas is then carefully exposed by mobilising the surrounding structures, and major blood vessels are identified and controlled. The affected portion of the pancreas is meticulously dissected and removed with adequate surgical margins, along with regional lymph nodes when indicated for malignant disease. In procedures such as a robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure), reconstruction of the pancreatic, biliary, and gastrointestinal continuity is subsequently performed. Once the resection and reconstruction are complete, meticulous haemostasis is achieved, surgical drains may be placed as required, and the resected specimen is retrieved through a small incision. Finally, the robotic instruments are removed, and the port sites are closed, completing the procedure.