Minimally invasive surgery for distal pancreatic tumors is feasible and appropriate for most benign tumors. The spleen can be safely preserved laparoscopically on its blood supply from the short gastric vessels. The operative technique and especially the closure of the pancreatic stump need further study.

Pancreatic pseudocysts (PPs) present a challenging problem for physicians dealing with pancreatic disorders. Their management demands the co-operation of surgeons, radiologists and gastroenterologists. Historically, they have been treated either conservatively or surgically, with acceptable rates of complications and recurrence. However, recent advances in radiology and endoscopy, have leaded physicians to implement percutaneous and endoscopic drainage (ED) into their treatment algorithms. Moreover, laparoscopic surgery, with its advantages, has become an attractive alternative choice when surgical drainage (SD) is required. The aim of this review is to summarize the main diagnostic and therapeutic tools in the management of pseudocysts and to present the main studies that compare the three different types of pseudocyst drainage.

A "wait and see" policy of observation alone for patients with small bile duct calculi detected at IOC during LC appears to be safe, and it is more cost-effective than routine postoperative ERCP. ERCP should be reserved for post-LC patients who become symptomatic.

Gasless and low-pressure laparoscopic cholecystectomy were similar with respect to postoperative pain and recovery. The gasless technique provided inferior exposure and the operation took longer, but the technique may still have value in high-risk patients with cardiorespiratory disease.