“A Debate: Is Surgical Intervention for Cystic Neoplasms of the Pancreas Being Overutilized”

Excerpt

At the 2012 meeting of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, an interesting and stimulating debate was held on the topic of the appropriate utilization of surgical resection for cystic neoplasms of the pancreas. The view that surgical resection is underutilized was supported by Dr. Max Schmidt from Indiana University with the opposing view that surgical resection is overutilized argued by Dr. Peter Allen of the Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Both speakers are recognized internationally as outstanding pancreatic surgeons who have published extensively on the topic of cystic neoplasms of the pancreas and specifically side-branch intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), which is certainly the main issue of importance in both this debate and in the clinical management of patients. Furthermore, both authors are among the leaders nationally in establishing prospective databases to follow patients with cystic neoplasms at their own institutions. The authors have summarized their opinions in the following manuscripts and have provided evidence to support their beliefs. …