MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURES OF THE PANC REAS

Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery is technically difficult and demanding owing to its retroperitoneal location and its complex anatomic relati onships. Performing these operations requires familiarity with the ana tomy of the retroperitoneum and advanced laparoscopic skills. Intracor poreal suturing skills are also mandatory. Due to the small number of operations performed in centers, an evaluation period of at least 5 ye ars is necessary to determine the role of laparoscopic procedures in p ancreatic disease processes. However, laparoscopic procedures are begi nning to represent an undeniable part of the surgical repertoire again st pancreatic pathology.