Minimally invasive management of insulinomas. A case report

Insulinoma Management in a Pregnant Woman: A Case Report

An insulinoma is a rare tumor that originates in the β cells of the pancreas with an incidence of four cases per million people per year. To our knowledge, 40 cases of insulinoma in pregnancy have been reported. Insulinoma in pregnancy is usually diagnosed in the first trimester. Surgical treatment is advised during the second trimester with complications arising in up to 10% of cases. We present the case of a 34-year-old pregnant woman diagnosed with insulinoma during the first trimester. The patient underwent a laparoscopic resection of the tumor at 15.5 weeks of gestation. Insulinoma was resected and postoperative complications were managed, including acute pancreatitis and peripancreatic and splenorenal fluid collection, which were treated using multidisciplinary management and resolved at the end of the pregnancy at 40.1 weeks of gestation.

Efficacy of laparoscopic ultrasonography in laparoscopic resection of insulinoma

Insulinoma is the most common functioning islet cell tumor of the pancreas, with an annual incidence of 4 cases/1 million individuals. It is treated by surgical methods. Open surgery was once considered the standard approach for the treatment of insulinoma. However, the procedure is traumatic and requires a large incision, which does not satisfy the growing expectations of minimally invasive management of small-sized tumors. Insulinomas are usually benign solitary tumors and mostly occur sporadically, which makes them suitable candidates for laparoscopic management. The potential advantages of laparoscopic management of insulinoma over open surgery include shorter duration of hospitalization, quicker recovery, and better cosmetic effect. However, because of the small tumor size as well as the depth and uncertainty of the location of the tumor, laparoscopic localization of the lesion without tactile sensation is difficult. Laparoscopic ultrasonography can detect about 90% of insulinomas, and its sensitivity is comparable to that of manual palpation along with intraoperative ultrasonography during open surgery; thus, it ensures the feasibility of laparoscopic management of insulinoma and reinforces its advantage as a minimally invasive procedure. Laparoscopic ultrasonography is vital for the localization of insulinomas and characterization of the surrounding pancreatic structure and should, therefore, be considered an integral part of the laparoscopic management of insulinoma.

Setting the bar for laparoscopic resection of sporadic insulinoma

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic insulinoma resection (LIR) for sporadic disease is increasingly supported as a feasible and safe operation in small series of patients. To determine whether LIR is an acceptable alternative to the open operation, it is necessary to compare LIR to historical controls. The purpose of this study was to identify the skills and technology needed for LIR and establish outcome standards.

METHODS

A database of patients with benign sporadic insulinoma who underwent an open procedure at the Mayo Clinic was reviewed for demographics, imaging, operative/pathology reports, and outcomes. Outcomes were compared to a world-wide meta-analysis of patients who had undergone LIR reported in the English literature between 1996 and 2009.

RESULTS

Two hundred fifteen patients underwent a primary open operation for benign sporadic insulinoma. Solitary tumors were found in 97%. Meta-analysis identified 232 patients who underwent LIR. The open and LIR groups underwent comparable operations that included enucleations (64 vs. 68%) and distal pancreatectomies (28 vs. 35%) (p = 0.06). The mean estimated blood loss, operating time, and length of stay were comparable between the open and LIR groups (p = NS). Pancreatic fistula occurred more often in the LIR group (24 vs. 11%, p < 0.05). A curative operation was performed in 98% of control patients and in 99% of the LIR group (p = NS).

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple insulinomas are rare and a focused resection guided by imaging may be performed. LIR is associated with an increased incidence of pancreatic fistula. Success of LIR will depend on accurate multimodality preoperative imaging, skilled use of lap-US to replace palpation for localization, and safe methods to dissect the tumor adjacent to the pancreatic duct.

A novel laparoscopic approach to lesions related to the posterior aspect of the pancreatic head

The posterior aspect of the pancreatic head has proven to be a technically demanding region to approach laparoscopically. Previously, this region was approached through the gastrocolic ligament with the patient in a left semilateral position. We believe that this makes the laparoscopic approach to the posterior pancreatic head extremely difficult. In the technique presented here, which has been successfully used in 4 patients, the patient was in full left lateral position, and Nathanson retractors were used to retract the liver and right kidney. This allowed full exposure of the second part of the duodenum before any major dissection. The duodenum was then Kocherized, and the posterior aspect of the pancreatic head, along with the inferior vena cava, left renal vein, and aorta, was exposed. We describe here a safe and feasible laparoscopic method for access to and management of lesions related to the posterior aspect of the pancreatic head.

Insulinoma in a third-trimester pregnant woman combined with pre-eclampsia: a case report and review of the diagnostic strategies

Insulinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors with an incidence of 4 per 1,000,000 person-years, being even rarer during pregnancy. During pregnancy most cases are recognized or become symptomatic during the first trimester. A 29-year-old woman, primigravida, was hospitalized in the 38th gestational week due to slurred speech, weakness and slow reaction patterns. An electroencephalogram and computed tomography scan of the brain and blood samples were normal. Blood pressure was 170-145/110-95 mmHg, albuminuria was moderate and there was moderate edema of the ankles. Labor started spontaneously the third day, 62 h after of hospitalization, and the patient gave birth to a healthy girl with no neonatal problems. Fourteen hours after delivery, the patient became comatose and developed universal clonic seizures. At the same time plasma glucose was <1.1 mmol/l and the patient responded immediately to intravenous glucose. The patient was managed with frequent small meals and continuous intravenous glucose. Postpartum testing was consistent with insulinoma and diazoxide treatment was initiated. Endoscopic ultrasound with biopsy showed an insulinoma in the head of the pancreas. During surgical exploration, four separate insulinomas were removed from the head of the pancreas. The hypoglycemic episodes resolved and the glucose levels normalized. Following biochemical diagnosis of insulinoma, diagnostic imaging procedures encountered include endoscopic ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and digital subtraction angiography. Of isotopic procedures, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (Octreoscan) and newer receptor binding ligands can be used in non-pregnant women. Intraoperative ultrasonography seems mandatory. The present case demonstrates that seizure disorders in non-diabetic pregnant women may be caused by hyperinsulinemia-induced hypoglycemia due to insulinoma.

Laparoscopic enucleation of pancreatic insulinomas

Insulinomas are rare endocrine pancreatic tumors whose incidence has been increasing in recent years owing to early detection by clinical and radiologic, such as remote neural monitoring, computed tomography (CT), and ultrasound (US) findings. The classical treatment consists of open surgical resection, which is associated with relative morbidity and mortality rates. The aim of this paper was to present 5 patients who were diagnosed with pancreatic insulinomas that were treated by laparoscopic resection. Five (5) patients, ranging from 14 to 45 years and presenting with classical Whipple Triad, had lesions ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 cm by CT (body and tail of the pancreas), which were subsequently diagnosed as insulinomas. An ecoendoscopy showed no combined lesions. They were treated by a laparoscopic resection. Glicemic levels were controlled during surgery with an expected glucose rise. All patients had an uneventfull recovery. The mean length of follow-up is 14 months. The laparoscopic resection of pancreatic insulinomas is a reliable procedure for superficial lesions in the body and tail of the pancreas.

Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery

In the past, in the pancreas, a minimally invasive technique was only used for diagnostic laparoscopy in evaluating periampullary malignancy. Recent advances in operative techniques and instrumentation have empowered surgeons to perform virtually all procedures in the pancreas, including the Whipple procedure. Some of these procedures represent the most sophisticated application of minimally invasive surgery, and their outcomes are reportedly better than those of conventional open approaches. In addition to the evaluation of resectability in periampullary malignancy, palliative procedures, including biliary bypasses and gastrojejunostomy, can be performed laparoscopically. Although it is reportedly feasible to perform a Whipple procedure laparescopically, no benefit of the laparoscopic approach over the conventional open approach has been documented. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy, with or without preserving the spleen, is technically easier than the Whipple procedure, and is more widely accepted. Indications for laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy include cystic neoplasms and islet-cell tumors located in the pancreatic body or tail. Complications of acute and chronic pancreatitis may be treated with the use of surgical laparoscopy. When infected necrotizing pancreatitis is identified, surgical intervention for drainage and debridement is required. According to the type and location of infected necrotizing pancreatitis, three laparoscopic operative approaches have been reported: infracolic debridement, retroperitoneal debridement, and laparoscopic transgastric pancreatic necrosectomy. When internal drainage is indicated for a pseudocyst, a minimally invasive technique is a promising option. Laparoscopic pseudocyst gastrostomy, cyst jejunostomy, or cyst duodenostomy can be performed, depending on the size and location of the pseudocyst. Especially when a pseudocyst is located in close contact with the posterior wall of the stomach, it is best drained by a pseudocyst gastrostomy, which can also be done with the use of an intragastric operative technique.

Endoscopic ultrasound in the localisation of pancreatic islet cell tumours

The role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the evaluation of entero-pancreatic endocrine tumours has evolved in conjunction with advances in other imaging methods. The high spatial resolution of this technique allows the detection of very small lesions and their precise anatomical localisation. In patients with biochemically proven insulinoma, EUS can be effectively used as a first line investigation, with a sensitivity of 94%. Combined with thin section CT, the sensitivity rises to 100%. There is also high sensitivity in diagnosing intrapancreatic gastrinomas but lower for those arising in the duodenal wall which require detailed duodenal evaluation at surgery. EUS in conjunction with Somatostatin Receptor Scanning (SRS) has a combined sensitivity of 93% for gastrinomas. EUS is recommended for screening of asymptomatic patients with genetically proven MEN1. There is a limited role for EUS guided biopsy in pancreatic endocrine tumours.

Surgical treatment of pancreatic insulinomas in the era of laparoscopy

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic resection has been increasingly reported for pancreatic insulinomas. This report evaluates our experience with surgical treatment for pancreatic insulinomas in this era of laparoscopy and reviews the application, safety, and outcome of this surgical approach reported in the literature.

METHODS

In a consecutive series of 10 patients with pancreatic insulinomas, laparoscopic resection was performed for selected patients after routine preoperative localizations. The outcome of this operative strategy was reviewed together with reported cases involving laparoscopic resection of pancreatic insulinomas.

RESULTS

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy or enucleation was performed for four patients with tumors located at the body or tail of the pancreas, whereas open enucleation was performed for six patients with tumors located at the pancreatic head. Pancreatic leak developed in one laparoscopic and two open enucleations. A review of reported cases in the literature showed that 61 of 69 attempted laparoscopic pancreatic resections for insulinomas were performed successfully. All except two tumors were located at the body or tail of the pancreas. For 42 cases with detailed information, 41 tumors at the pancreas body or tail were removed successfully by enucleation (n = 24) or distal pancreatic resection (n = 17), and one tumor at the pancreatic head was enucleated successfully. Pancreatic fistula, the most frequent complication, occurred in 8 (19%) of 42 laparoscopic resections.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic resection of pancreatic insulinomas is safe and feasible for tumors located at the body or tail of the pancreas. Its application for tumors located at the pancreatic head needs further evaluation.

[Laparoscopic pancreatic resections]

The feasibility of laparoscopic pancreatic resection has been demonstrated. However, the real clinical benefit for the patients remains questioned. The best indication for a laparoscopic approach appears to be the resection of benign or neuro-endocrine tumors without a need for pancreato-enteric reconstruction (i.e enucleation or distal pancreatectomy). The use of the laparoscopic approach for malignant tumors still remains controversial. The benefits of minimally invasive surgery are clearly correlated with the successful management of the pancreatic stump. Pancreatic related complication rate (fistula and collection) is 15% when using pancreatic transection with a laparoscopic endostappler.

Laparoscopic treatment of pancreatic insulinoma

Laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasonography (LUS) have been proposed for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic insulinoma. We present for cases of pancreatic insulinoma approached by laparoscopy guided by LUS. In three cases, insulinomas were in the pancreatic body and in one case in the pancreatic head. All lesions were detected preoperatively by abdominal US and confirmed by computed tomography. Laparoscopy was performed under general anesthesia. LUS was performed using a 10-mm flexible probe. In two cases the adenoma was enucleated using scissors and electrocoagulation, major vessels were controlled using clips, and enucleation was completed using a 30-mm endo-GIA. In one case a laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with spleen preservation was performed. In one case the adenoma was deep in the pancreatic head; minilaparotomy was performed and the adenoma enucleated. Patients were discharged in good health 5-7 days after surgery. The postoperative course was complicated in one case of enucleation by peripancreatic fluid collection that was treated percutaneously. Our experience confirms that accurate localization followed by excision of tumors via the laparoscopic approach constitute a significant advance in the management of insulinoma.