We evaluated perioperative and long-term outcomes of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and established indications of MIS in solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) in pediatric patients.

From October 1992 to April 2018, 66 patients (age, <18 years) diagnosed with SPT underwent either open pancreatectomy (OP) or MIS. Variables including postoperative complications and recurrence rates were retrospectively analyzed.

Thirty-five patients underwent open surgery and 31 underwent laparoscopic/robotic surgery. Mean tumor size in MIS was significantly smaller than that in OP (4.3±1.8 cm vs. 7.6±3.5 cm, p=0.005). There were 4 cases of open conversion from laparoscopic surgery because of vessel encasements (n=2), bleeding (n=1), and pancreatic ductal injury (n=1). Solitary pseudopapillary carcinoma was diagnosed in 6 patients. Recurrence was observed in 3 and 1 patients who underwent OP and MIS, respectively (p=0.634). Tumor size, mass size/abdominal diameter (MS/AD) ratio, and degree of the portal or superior mesenteric vein involvement were the most important indications for MIS.

MIS is being widely used in pediatric surgeries with increased expertise and safety, especially in pancreatic diseases. Careful patient selection for MIS in regards with parameters such as MS/AD ratio and vessel abutment might be a feasible choice.