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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
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Robotic Enucleation of an Intra-Pancreatic Insulinoma in the Pancreatic Head
Published on: January 3, 2020
Pancreatic insulinoma: a surgical experience
María Nayví España-Gómez1, David Velázquez-Fernández, Paulina Bezaury
1Department of Surgery, Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Tlalpan, Mexico City, 14000, Mexico.
World Journal of Surgery
|July 25, 2009
Summary
Surgical resection of insulinomas, particularly small, benign tumors in the body and tail, can be effectively managed with laparoscopic techniques. While pancreatic fistulas are common, the cure rate for insulinomas is very high.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Surgical Oncology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Insulinomas are often small, benign, and sporadic, making them candidates for minimally invasive laparoscopic resection.
- Occult or multicentric insulinomas may necessitate open surgical approaches.
- This study analyzes institutional experience with pancreatic insulinoma treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of surgical resection for pancreatic insulinomas.
- To compare laparoscopic and open surgical approaches for insulinoma treatment.
- To assess disease cure rates and surgical complication frequencies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 34 patients with pancreatic insulinomas undergoing surgical resection (1995-2007).
- Analysis of key variables including disease cure and surgical complications.
- Categorization of surgical approach (laparoscopic vs. open) based on tumor characteristics.
Main Results:
- Laparoscopic resection was performed in 14 of 21 eligible patients, typically for solitary, benign tumors in the pancreatic body/tail.
- Open surgery was utilized for 13 patients, including those with tumors in the pancreatic head, MEN syndrome-related tumors, or malignant insulinomas.
- Pancreatic fistula was the most common complication (7/31 cases across all approaches); 1 patient died from PTE. Postoperative normoglycemia was achieved in all patients.
Conclusions:
- The majority of insulinomas are small and benign, with tumors in the pancreatic body and tail being more amenable to laparoscopic resection.
- Surgical resection offers a very high cure rate for insulinomas.
- Pancreatic fistula remains the most frequent complication following insulinoma surgery.
