Minimally Invasive Surgery in Pediatric Oncology
Summary
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has become a pivotal component in the management of solid tumours in children, offering potential reductions in postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays and quicker resumption of adjuvant therapies. Techniques such as laparoscopy, thoracoscopy and, more recently, robotic-assisted approaches have been applied to a broad spectrum of paediatric malignancies, including neuroblastoma, Wilms tumour, germ cell neoplasms and mediastinal lesions. Patient selection is guided by factors such as tumour size, location and image-defined risk factors (IDRFs), with careful preoperative imaging essential to minimise intraoperative complications. In skilled hands, MIS can achieve oncologically sound resections and accurate staging, while preserving cosmesis and reducing wound-related morbidity. The adoption of three-dimensional reconstruction and fluorescence guidance further refines operative planning and vessel identification. International multicentre experience continues to expand indications, and robotics platforms are poised to enhance instrument precision in confined paediatric spaces. Ongoing efforts aim to standardise protocols and train specialists so that minimally invasive techniques become integral to global paediatric oncology care pathways.
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Minimally Invasive Surgery in Pediatric Oncology publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in minimally invasive surgery in pediatric oncology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS): surgical approaches that use small incisions and specialised instruments to reduce tissue trauma.
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS): a form of MIS using a thoracoscope inserted through the chest wall to access intrathoracic structures.
Laparoscopy: a minimally invasive technique for abdominal and retroperitoneal operations employing a camera and trocars.
Image-defined risk factors (IDRFs): radiological features that predict potential surgical challenges or complications in tumour resection.
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery: MIS performed with robotic platforms that enhance dexterity, precision and three-dimensional vision.
References
- Thoracoscopy for Pediatric Thoracic Neurogenic Tumors—A European Multi-Center Study. Cancers (2023).
- Minimally Invasive Surgery in Pediatric Surgical Oncology. Children (2018).
- Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic resection of abdominal neuroblastoma without image-defined risk factors: a single-center experience. World Journal of Surgical Oncology (2023).
- Robot-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy: Extended application in children. European Journal of Surgical Oncology (2024).
- Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging-assisted laparoscopy resection of retroperitoneal tumors in children: case report and literature review. Frontiers in Pediatrics (2024).
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