WOFAPS 2025 8th World Congress of Pediatric Surgery

Canan Ceran ¹, Abdysamat Uulu ², Ali İhsan Anadolulu ²

¹ University of Health Sciences, Hamidiye International Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Surgery
² University of Health Sciences, Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital, Department of Pediatric Surgery

Purpose:
Pancreatic tumors are exceedingly rare in the pediatric population and are typically benign. Among them, solid pseudopapillary tumors (SPTs) are the most common type observed in adolescent females. Due to their rarity and variable localization, optimal surgical strategies remain a matter of discussion. To present a case series of three adolescent patients with pancreatic SPTs who underwent different surgical approaches and to evaluate surgical outcomes and treatment considerations.

Methods:
This retrospective case series includes three 17-year-old female patients treated for pancreatic masses. The surgical approach was determined based on tumor location. One patient underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure) for a mass in the pancreatic head, another underwent central pancreatectomy for a mid-gland tumor, and the third had a distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy for a lesion in the pancreatic tail. All tumors were confirmed as solid pseudopapillary tumors on histopathology.

Results:
Postoperative recovery was uneventful in all cases, with the exception of a transient pancreatic fistula in the Whipple patient, which resolved spontaneously. No recurrence or metastasis was observed during a mean follow-up of three years. All patients remain disease-free with preserved pancreatic function.

Conclusion:
Surgical resection is the cornerstone of treatment in pediatric patients with pancreatic SPTs. Tailored surgical approaches based on tumor location can provide excellent outcomes with minimal morbidity. Despite their rarity, awareness of SPTs and appropriate surgical planning are essential for optimal pediatric pancreatic tumor management.