The role of surgery in cystic lesions of the pancreas

The incidence of cystic neoplasms of the pancreas (CNP) is steadily increasing, most likely due to the commonly increased use of cross-sectional abdominal imaging. Most of these lesions are benign at the time of initial presentation, but some harbor malignant potential that either requires constant surveillance or surgical resection. However, it is still unclear when resection is mandated and when observation is sufficient. Moreover, the extent of resection and the technique used are also a matter of debate since limited resection and minimally invasive procedures are becoming more popular. Therefore, the aim of this review was to assess the role of surgery for the management of CNPs with an emphasis on novel procedures.