1 Guidance

1 Guidance

1.1 Current evidence on the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy appears adequate to support the use of this procedure provided that normal arrangements are in place for consent, audit and clinical governance.

1.2 Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy should only be performed in centres specialising in pancreatic surgery and with appropriate expertise in advanced laparoscopic techniques, and in the context of a multidisciplinary team, which should usually include a pancreatic surgeon, a gastroenterologist, an endocrinologist and a pathologist.