Short-term results of duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection for solid pseudopapillary neoplasm in children at the National Children's Hospital

Objective: To evaluate the results of duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection for treating solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas in children at the National Children's Hospital. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective study of 11 patients diagnosed with pancreatic SPN and treated surgically at the National Children's Hospital from May 2022 to May 2024. Results: The average age of diagnosis in children was 10.9 years (range: 8-15 years), predominantly affecting female patients (81.8%). The main clinical symptoms were epigastric and left hypochondrial pain (81.8%). The average tumor size was 51.3 mm (range: 2.6-10 cm). Computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed a predominantly mixed structure in 9 out of 11 patients (81.8%). All patients underwent duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection, with no severe intraoperative or postoperative complications. Conclusion: SPN is a rare pancreatic tumor with low malignancy, minimal invasiveness, and low rates of metastasis and recurrence. Thus, surgery is a safe and effective treatment method for children, with a low complication rate.