Duodenal neuroendocrine tumours in morbidly obese

Abstract

The association of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs) with obesity has been reported and researched on. Rendering of a laparoscopic treatment treating these concurring pathologies in unison has not been described. Two morbidly obese patients with duodenal NETs underwent a resectional procedure, with curative intent, in the form of laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy with roux-en-y gastrojejunostomy with partial duodenectomy and a laparoscopic one-anastomosis gastric bypass-mini gastric bypass with remnant gastrectomy and partial duodenectomy. Both patients had an uneventful convalescence with acceptable weight loss and no evidence of tumour recurrence on follow-up. The indolent nature of NETs, as compared to the morbidity of obesity provides the rationale for treating this particular cohort of patients with a surgical procedure that would serve to remove the tumour and also provide therapeutic benefit for obesity. With experience in advanced laparoscopic procedures, this can be accomplished safely with acceptable results.