[Choice of surgical approach to insulin-producing pancreatic tumors]

To determine the optimal surgical approach to insulin-producing pancreatic tumors via an analysis of early postoperative results.

There were 134 patients with insulin-producing pancreatic tumors followed by organic hyperinsulinism who have undergone surgery in the faculty-based surgical clinic of the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University for the period 1990-2017. Patients were divided into three groups depending on type of surgical intervention. Surgical procedure was determined after comprehensive preoperative and intraoperative examination including intraoperative ultrasound.

Incidence of postoperative complications was 32.8%. Ten (7.5%) patients required redo surgical interventions. Overall postoperative mortality was 4.5%. The best immediate results were observed in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy. There was a correlation between incidence of early postoperative complications and tumor location depth in the enucleation group.

Enucleation is advisable for insulinoma of pancreatic head or uncinated process, as well as superficial tumors of the left half of the pancreas. Distal pancreatectomy is indicated for deep tumors of the left half of the pancreas. Indications for pancreatoduodenectomy are individual.