Application of Laparoscopic Programmatic Neurolymphatic Radical Pancreaticoduodenectomy in Pancreatic Head Cancer

Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) has become a widely adopted surgical approach for treating pancreatic head cancer. Traditional open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) is associated with significant surgical trauma, with postoperative hospital stays often exceeding 2 weeks. In contrast, LPD presents higher surgical risks due to the lack of standardized protocols, particularly posing challenges in minimally invasive resection and anastomosis. In addition, the optimal extent of lymphatic and neural dissection in pancreatic head cancer remains controversial and continues to be actively debated. To address these challenges in traditional pancreatic cancer treatment, we developed a modular surgical approach and a dual-surgeon model to systematize laparoscopic pancreatic surgery. Our novel Laparoscopic Programmatic Neurolymphatic Radical Pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPNRPD) technique not only ensures surgical safety but is also user-friendly, making it particularly suitable for laparoscopic surgery beginners. For radical resection of pancreatic head cancer, we propose that complete dissection of the peripancreatic neural plexus is critical for achieving R0 resection. Through multicenter RCT studies, we established standardized protocols for radical neurolymphatic dissection tailored to different subtypes of pancreatic cancer. For patients with resectable pancreatic head cancer (preoperative CA19-9 < 200 U/mL, no vascular invasion), we recommend the LPNRPD strategy. However, the successful implementation of LPNRPD heavily relies on the surgeon's skill and expertise. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the techniques for performing LPNRPD, emphasizing its safety, reproducibility, and applicability in the context of pancreatic head cancer treatment.