Laparoscopic approach in persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia in infancy

Abstract

Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia in infancy (PHHI) is a rare condition (Glaser et al. 2000). The morbidity is major despite recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology (Aynsley-Green et al. 2000). A major diagnostic problem has been the differentiation between focal and diffuse disease. In focal disease, removal of the lesion only is curative while in diffuse disease a near total pancreatectomy is the treatment of choice but the latter form of therapy invariably leads to both exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency (Cretolle et al. 2002; Dubois et al. 1995). Both forms of treatment can be carried out laparoscopically. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2008.