Total Dorsal Pancreatectomy, an Alternative to Total Pancreatectomy: Report of a New Case and Literature Review

Background: Total dorsal pancreatectomy (TDP) is a conservative pancreatic resection that should be considered in cases of benign or low malignant tumors confined to the dorsal pancreas to preserve the viability of both digestive and biliary tracts, and to avoid the endocrine and metabolic consequences of total pancreatectomy. We report a new case of TDP and provide a literature review of this procedure. Methods: The case reported was a 35-year-old female patient with a solid pseudopapillary tumor. We resected the dorsal segment of the pancreas while preserving the common bile duct, gastroduodenal artery, and pancreaticoduodenal arcades, and the spleen and splenic vessels. The MEDLINE® and Embase® databases were searched for English language studies, case series, or case reports published through August 31, 2017. Results: The postoperative course was uneventful and patient was discharged on postoperative day 11. The patient was alive and in good condition at the 10-year follow-up. To date in English literature, there are only 3 reported cases of TDP, and all cases were patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia and pancreas divisum. There was no postoperative mortality, and 2 grade B pancreatic fistulas healed 1 month postoperatively. Conclusions: TDP is a feasible and safe operation for benign or low grade malignant pancreatic tumors involving the dorsal pancreas, as an alternative to total pancreatectomy.