AIIMS: World’s first youngest patient undergo laparoscopic surgery by any pediatric surgeon

The Department of Pediatric Surgery at AIIMS Delhi has performed the first Total Laparoscopic Whipple operation on an 11-year-old girl, making her the youngest patient worldwide to undergo this complex procedure entirely by laparoscopic route by any pediatric surgeon. The hospital said the surgical team operated for eight and a half hours with only 80 ml of blood loss to remove the tumor.

The young patient, hailing from Jharkhand, had been experiencing persistent abdominal pain. Investigations revealed a rare pancreatic tumor known as a Solid Pseudopapillary Epithelial Neoplasm (SPEN), necessitating the intricate Whipple’s procedure, which involves the surgical removal and reconstruction of a significant part of the pancreas and the digestive system.

“Pancreaticoduodenectomy, commonly known as the Whipple procedure, represents one of the most challenging operations in gastrointestinal surgery, and conducting it laparoscopically adds yet another layer of complexity. Due to its rarity in pediatric surgical practice, such cases have traditionally been managed through conventional open surgery. However, cumulative expertise in advanced laparoscopic procedures have enabled us to overcome these challenges and extend the benefits of minimally invasive keyhole surgery to pediatric patients”, said Dr. Anjan Kumar Dhua, Professor of Pediatric Surgery, AIIMS.

AIIMS said that typically, this surgery is done through a very long cut on the tummy, which can be painful afterward and leave a big scar. Considering several important factors, the operating team decided to perform the same surgery using only four tiny incisions—two measuring just 5 mm and another two measuring 10 mm.

“The patient had a smooth and comfortable recovery with minimal postoperative pain, a short hospital stay, and cosmetically pleasing outcomes due to tiny laparoscopic incisions. Most importantly, the procedure strictly adhered to essential oncological principles, ensuring complete tumor removal and patient safety”, said AIIMS.