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Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Surgical outcome and prognosis of pediatric solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm
Naonori Kawakubo1, Junkichi Takemoto1, Keiko Irie1
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Insights
Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) in children have a good prognosis after pancreatectomy. Enucleation, while common, may lead to more complications, so surgeons should consider this risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Surgical Oncology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) are rare pancreatic tumors primarily affecting young females.
- Understanding the characteristics and outcomes of pediatric SPNs is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of pediatric patients with SPNs.
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of different pancreatectomy procedures for pediatric SPNs.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pediatric patients who underwent pancreatectomy for SPNs between 1995 and 2020.
- Analysis of surgical procedures, including pancreatoduodenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, and enucleation.
- Assessment of postoperative complications and long-term outcomes.
Main Results:
- Twelve pediatric patients (median age 10 years) underwent pancreatectomy for SPNs.
- Enucleation was the most frequent procedure (58.3%), followed by distal pancreatectomy (25%) and pancreatoduodenectomy (16.6%).
- Postoperative pancreatic fistula was the most common complication (50%), with enucleation associated with higher rates.
Conclusions:
- SPNs in pediatric patients demonstrate a favorable prognosis irrespective of the surgical approach.
- While enucleation is frequently used, surgeons must be aware of its potential for increased postoperative complications.
Background:
The aim of this study was to clarify the characteristics and outcomes of pediatric patients with solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) who underwent pancreatectomy.
Methods:
Pediatric patients with SPNs who underwent pancreatectomy at our institution between 1995 and 2020 were included in the study.
Results:
During the period under review, 12 patients underwent pancreatectomy for SPNs (median age: 10 years; range: 6-15 years). The surgical procedures included pancreatoduodenectomy (n = 2; 16.6%), distal pancreatectomy (n = 3; 25%), and enucleation (n = 7; 58.3%). The most common postoperative complication was postoperative pancreatic fistula (n = 6; 50%). Patients who underwent enucleation tended to have higher postoperative complication rates compared with those who underwent other procedures. All patients were alive without recurrence at the end of the study period.
Conclusions:
SPN is associated with a good prognosis, regardless of the surgical procedure. If surgeons select enucleation for pediatric SPNs, they should bear in mind that it is associated with a higher complication rate.

