The surgical management of hyperinsulinism in infancy due to nesidioblastosis

Abstract

Severe neonatal hypoglycemia due to nesidioblastosis demands prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent mental retardation. Early central venous catheter placement is essential for a constant glucose infusion. At surgery, near-total (95%) pancreatectomy is done, starting at the tail and preserving the spleen. Bipolar electrocoagulation is very useful for the tiny vessels. The uncinate process is removed leaving a small amount of pancreas adjacent to the preserved common bile duct. Three patients, diagnosed shortly after birth, had surgery at 34 days, 2 years, and 17 days of life. Two patients developed staphylococcal infections, one of whom exhibited the "scalded baby" syndrome and required reoperation for evisceration. Insulin was required for one to seven days in two and for three months in one. Diazoxide was needed for 18 months in the initial patient, who did not have uncinate resection. All patients are healthy and off medication with a postoperative follow-up period of 11, 12, and 65 months.