Study International Multicentric Pancreatic Left Resections (SIMPLR): Does Surgical Approach Matter?

Background: Minimally invasive surgery is increasingly preferred for left-sided pancreatic resections. The SIMPLR study aims to compare open, laparoscopic, and robotic approaches using propensity score matching analysis.

Methods: This study included 258 patients with tumors of the left side of the pancreas who underwent surgery between 2016 and 2020 at three high-volume centers. The patients were divided into three groups based on their surgical approach and matched in a 1:1 ratio.

Results: The open group had significantly higher estimated blood loss (620 mL vs. 320 mL, < 0.001), longer operative time (273 vs. 216 min, = 0.003), and longer hospital stays (16.9 vs. 6.81 days, < 0.001) compared to the laparoscopic group. There was no difference in lymph node yield or resection status. When comparing open and robotic groups, the robotic procedures yielded a higher number of lymph nodes (24.9 vs. 15.2, = 0.011) without being significantly longer. The laparoscopic group had a shorter operative time (210 vs. 340 min, < 0.001), shorter ICU stays (0.63 vs. 1.64 days, < 0.001), and shorter hospital stays (6.61 vs. 11.8 days, < 0.001) when compared to the robotic group. There was no difference in morbidity or mortality between the three techniques.

Conclusion: The laparoscopic approach exhibits short-term benefits. The three techniques are equivalent in terms of oncological safety, morbidity, and mortality.