Minimally Invasive Surgery in Pediatric Oncology: Proposal of Guidelines.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The objective of the study was to propose clinical guidelines for the use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in pediatric oncology.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two groups of experts, including pediatric surgeons and pediatric oncologists were created in order to establish strategies of diagnostic and therapeutic surgical management in pediatric oncology.

RESULTS

On the basis of the analysis of the existing literature, we elaborated guidelines that were graded according to the simple practical clinical system: yes/no. This project was dedicated to the following topics: adrenal tumors including neuroblastoma, renal tumors including Wilms tumor (nephroblastoma), ovarian tumors and pulmonary nodules and metastases (osteosarcoma).

CONCLUSION

Although existing data do not allow the recommendation of the use of MIS for all indications, this technique should currently be regarded as a standard of care in several areas of pediatric oncology.