Fig. 2

Robotic-assisted spleen-preserving laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. a Ligation of the splenic vein (arrow), which passes through the pancreas. b The pancreas is totally free from the splenic artery and vein. All branches were treated by sonic shear (<2 mm) or ligature (≥2 mm). Splenic artery and vein were completely preserved. c Use of the surgical stapler (EC60) to perform pancreatic dissection (with ≥1-cm margin). The tumor is indicated by an arrow. d Verification of the pancreatic section, hemorrhage, and pancreatic leak