Laparoscopic partial pancreatectomy for infants with persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia

Objective To study the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic partial pancreatectomy for the treatment of persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy (PHHI).Methods Between September 2008 and April 2011,the laparoscopic partial pancreatectomy was performed on 4 infants with PHHI.The levels of blood sugar and insulin were followed-up and retrospectively analyzed in this study.Results The operating time ranged from 170 to 190 min,and blood loss during surgery was minimal without necessity for blood transfusion.The length of hospital stay after operation was 12 to 24 days.The duration of postoperative abdominal drainage was 2 to 7 days.The level of fasting blood glucose after surgery was higher than that before surgery (7.5mmol/L vs.2.8mmol/L),The level of fasting insulin after surgery was lower than that before surgery (7.2 mU/L vs.77.4 mU/L),The patients were followed up for 2 to 32 months.The 3 patients underwent 90％ pancreatectomy had normal blood glucose and insulin.The patient underwent focal resection was performed secondary pancreatectomy due to recurrence of hypoglycemia,and had normal blood glucose and insulin after operation.Conclusions Laparoscopic partial pancreatectomy is safe and effective for the treatment of PHHI in children. Key words: Laparoscopes;  Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy;  Treatment outcome