ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and safety of spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (SpDP), and to discuss the indications and techniques of SpDP. MethodsThe clinical data of seven patients underwent SpDP between January 2004 and December 2007 in Xinhua Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. ResultsOut of the seven cases, one case received the SpDP combined with partial splenic vessel resection, while the other cases received the SpDP with splenic vessel preservation. The operation time was (2.93±0.38) h and the intraoperative blood loss was (392.86±109.65) ml. Only one case suffered from pancreatic fistula, who finally recovered after medicine therapy and percutaneous drainage. There was no other complication or operative mortality. The postoperative platelet count was (273±43.76)×109/L and the postoperative hospital stay was (17.86±8.07) d. For six cases of patients, no recurrence and metastasis was found after the followup (49.2±14.4) months (30-72 months). ConclusionSpDP is a safe and feasible procedure, which is worthy for selected cases such as benign neoplasm of the body and tail of the pancreas.