Demonstration of an internal pancreatic fistula by computed tomography

Pancreatic-pleural fistula is best managed by early operative intervention

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic-pleural fistula is an uncommon complication of chronic pancreatitis occurring as a result of disruption of the main pancreatic duct and tracking of pancreatic fluid through the retroperitoneum into 1 or both thoracic cavities. The optimal treatment strategy for pancreatic-pleural fistula is unknown; it has traditionally been medical management followed by operative therapy for patients who fail to respond to conservative treatment. Our objective was to compile the case reports of pancreatic-pleural fistula in the literature in order to better define clinical management strategy.

METHODS

The case management of pancreatic-pleural fistula was reviewed and a structured MEDLINE search for published studies was performed. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed on compiled data.

RESULTS

Review of the literature revealed 63 adult patients with pancreatic-pleural fistula published in English between 1970 and 2008. The majority of patients were male (71%) and there was a predominance of alcohol-associated chronic pancreatitis (51%). There were 10 complications (16%) and 2 deaths (3%) reported. Most patients were treated initially with medical therapy (87%). Medical therapy was deemed to have failed after an average period of 35+/-5 days. Total duration of therapy for patients in whom operative intervention was required after attempted medical management was 40+/-6 days, which was greater than the surgery alone cohort. In total, operative treatment was successful more often than medical therapy (94% vs 31%).

CONCLUSION

Analysis from this series indicates that a majority of patients recover from pancreatic-pleural fistula without sequelae (81%). Attempts at prolonged periods of medical therapy tend to delay the resolution of the fistula compared with patients who undergo definitive operative intervention early in the course of treatment.

Successful treatment of postoperative external biliary fistulas by endoscopic sphincterotomy

External biliary fistulas occur as a complication of biliary tract surgery. Until recently, excision of the fistula was the primary therapeutic modality. We describe seven cases of postoperative external biliary fistula successfully treated by endoscopic papillotomy. Fistulation occurred in four patients after operations for hydatid cysts of the liver, in one patient after cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis, in one patient with carcinoma of the periampullary region after a decompression procedure, and in the remaining patient after an intraoperative biopsy of a carcinoma of the gallbladder. Endoscopic sphincterotomy is a reliable and effective therapeutic alternative in patients with external biliary fistulas.