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World J Gastroenterol. May 7, 2014; 20(17): 4908-4916
Published online May 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i17.4908
Laparoscopic resection of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Abbas Al-Kurd, Katya Chapchay, Simona Grozinsky-Glasberg, Haggi Mazeh
Abbas Al-Kurd, Katya Chapchay, Haggi Mazeh, Department of Surgery, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem 91240, Israel
Simona Grozinsky-Glasberg, Neuroendocrine Tumor Unit, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem 91240, Israel
Author contributions: Grozinsky-Glasberg S, Mazeh H contributed the conception of the study; Al-Kurd A, Chapchay K, Mazeh H contributed to the literature review and data acquisition; Al-Kurd A, Chapchay K drafted the manuscript; Chapchay K contributed illustrations; Al-Kurd A, Chapchay K, Grozinsky-Glasberg S, Mazeh H approved the final version.
Correspondence to: Haggi Mazeh, MD, Department of Surgery, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Mount Scopus, PO Box 24035, Jerusalem 91240, Israel. hmazeh@hadassah.org.il
Telephone: +11-972-25844550 Fax: +11-972-25844584
Received: October 28, 2013
Revised: December 6, 2013
Accepted: January 3, 2014
Published online: May 7, 2014
Abstract

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are a rare heterogeneous group of endocrine neoplasms. Surgery remains the best curative option for this type of tumor. Over the past two decades, with the development of laparoscopic pancreatic surgery, an increasingly larger number of PNET resections are being performed by these minimally-invasive techniques. In this review article, the various laparoscopic surgical options for the excision of PNETs are discussed. In addition, a summary of the literature describing the outcome of these treatment modalities is presented.

Keywords: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, Laparoscopy, Surgery, Laparoscopic resection of gastrointestinal

Core tip: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are a rare clinical entity, with surgery being the treatment modality of choice. Over the past several years, laparoscopic techniques have gained popularity in the surgical management of these tumors. This article reviews the available literature on laparoscopic resection of PNETs, with an overview of the commonly-practiced surgical procedures.