This systematic review and meta-analysis examined surgical outcomes for patients with resectable pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors located in the body or tail of the pancreas. The analysis combined data from 457 patients who underwent either a splenic-preserving distal pancreatectomy (SPDP) or a distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy (DPS). The goal was to determine if keeping the spleen offered better results than removing it.
The researchers found that SPDP was associated with significantly less blood loss during surgery and a shorter time in the operating room. Patients who had their spleen preserved also experienced lower rates of needing blood transfusions, fewer major postoperative complications, and a shorter hospital stay. In contrast, the number of lymph nodes examined and the rates of cancer spread or incomplete tumor removal did not differ significantly between the two groups.
No specific adverse events or safety concerns were reported in the available data. The authors note that these findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating. Because the study is a meta-analysis of existing reports rather than a single new trial, more research is needed to confirm these results. Readers should understand that SPDP may be a feasible option for selected patients, but it is not yet proven as a standard replacement for removing the spleen.