Minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy (mipd) enhances recovery compared to open pancreatoduodenectomy (opd), especially in the month post-surgery.

• On postoperative day 30, mipd patients averaged 659 more steps and 22 more active minutes daily than those in the opd group.
• Mipd patients had a 9-millisecond higher heart rate variability, indicating less physiological stress.

These early recovery benefits may influence surgical decision-making for resectable neoplasms in the pancreatic region.

• Benefits in physical activity persisted up to 5 weeks, suggesting improved postoperative care protocols with mipd.