Single-incision laparoscopic enucleation for pancreatic insulinoma with preoperative nasopancreatic stent placement: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Most insulinomas are benign and solitary, with a tumor diameter less than 2 cm; therefore, laparoscopic enucleation, which is a minimally invasive procedure that can preserve the pancreatic parenchyma, is considered an optimal procedure. The key to enucleation is to avoid injury to the main pancreatic duct (MPD). Herein, we present a case in which single-incision laparoscopic enucleation (SILE) was performed for insulinomas, with preoperative nasopancreatic stent (NPS) placement. CASE PRESENTATION: A male patient in his fifties underwent SILE for insulinomas. To prevent injury to the MPD, an NPS was preoperatively placed. All surgical procedures were performed through a single mini-laparotomy site in the umbilicus. NPS placement facilitated identification of the MPD under laparoscopic ultrasonography. Enucleation was successfully completed without any injury to the MPD, and the NPS was removed immediately after confirming that there was no injury to the MPD by the NPS via pancreatography. The postoperative course was uneventful. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: This report serves to highlight the maximum safety and minimal invasiveness of SILE with the preoperative NPS placement. Preoperative NPS placement is useful for avoiding injury to the MPD during enucleation and has the merit of helping to recognize whether leakage occurs by intraoperative pancreatography via the NPS. CONCLUSION: Preoperative NPS placement helps to ensure the safe enucleation of pancreatic insulinomas even in single-incision laparoscopic surgery, with minimal invasiveness and better cosmetic outcomes.