Laparoscopic treatment of insulinoma: surgical technique and perisurgical results

Objective: Our experience with the laparoscopic treatment of pancreatic insulinomas is reported.

Methods: Four patients with clinical and radiological diagnosis of insulinoma were treated between January 2000 and September 2005.

Results: All the patients were laparoscopically approached to attempt the tumor enucleation. In three cases complete enucleation was possible; the remaining case was converted to perform the resection of the middle portion of the pancreas. One patient developed a pancreatic fistula that closed spontaneously. In all cases histological evaluation of the tumor showed benign islet cell tumor. Blood glucose levels returned to normality.

Conclusions: Laparoscopic enucleation of pancreatic insulinoma is a feasible and safe technique.