Minimally invasive hepatopancreatic and biliary surgery in children: a large centre experience and review of the literature

Background: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for hepatopancreatic and biliary (HPB) diseases has been widely used in adults, while in children, its application is limited due to its complexity. Herein, we report the experience of MIS for paediatric HPB diseases and literature review.

Methods: All children (≤18 years-old) undergoing major HPB operations by MIS during January 2017-June 2020 in our institution were prospectively enrolled.

Results: Out of 139 children operated on for HPB diseases with MIS, 26 (18.7%) patients (age: 11 (1-17) years-old; weight: 41.9 (10.7-75.5) kg) underwent major HPB surgery, including 11 pancreatic resections and 15 liver resections, all performed by a full-laparoscopic-technique. Four (15.3%) surgeries were electively converted to an open-technique for safer operative management. None required a blood transfusion. The median hospital admission was 6 days. Post-operatively, all patients had early mobilization and good recovery. Two (7.7%) patients experienced post-operative complications requiring radiological intervention. Oncological radical resection (R0) was achieved in all tumours, and after 2 years, all children were free of tumour recurrence.

Conclusion: MIS for HPB surgery is safe and feasible in children, with less surgical trauma, short hospital-stay and better aesthetic results. An adequate learning curve in specialized centres is essential for good outcomes.