Debridement pancreatectomy for pancreatic abscess

Post-Discharge Outcomes After Pancreatic Necrosectomy: A Single Institution Experience Following Endoscopic vs Open Debridement

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic necrosectomy outcomes have been studied extensively; however, long-term results of these procedures have not been well characterized. Our study aimed to assess the outcomes at and after discharge for patients following necrosectomy.

METHODS

Data from patients undergoing pancreatic necrosectomy at a single tertiary referral hospital from January 1, 2007, to June 1, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were stratified into an open pancreatic necrosectomy (OPN) and an endoscopic pancreatic necrosectomy (EPN) group.

RESULTS

Cohorts were composed of an OPN (n = 30) and EPN (n = 31) groups with a mean follow-up of 22 and 13.5 months, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the demographics or etiology of disease; however, the presence of severe sepsis and elevated BISAP scores was significantly higher in the OPN group (40% vs 13% p = .016, 37% vs 10% p = .012, respectively). There was no significant difference in discharge parameters or disposition other than a higher need for wound care in the OPN group (14% vs 0% p =< .0001). No significant difference in the number of patients who returned to baseline, 12-month ED visits, 12-month readmissions, medical comorbidities, or long-term survival was noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Previous studies have demonstrated that OPN patients have a higher severity of disease and higher inpatient mortality; however, this does not hold true once the acute phase of the illness has passed. Long-term medical comorbidities and survival of patients with necrotizing pancreatitis who endure the primary insult do not differ in long term, regardless of the debridement modality performed for source control.

Pancreatic infection complicating acute pancreatitis

Pancreatic infection is the leading cause of death from acute pancreatitis. Patients with severe necrotizing pancreatitis are most at risk. Early computed tomography and percutaneous fine-needle aspiration microbiology of areas of pancreatic necrosis enable early diagnosis. Pancreatic infection should be treated surgically, although sterile necrosis may be managed conservatively. The role of antimicrobial drugs is uncertain.

Early diagnosis of pancreatic infection by computed tomography-guided aspiration

We performed 92 computed tomography-guided percutaneous needle aspirations of pancreatic inflammatory masses in 60 patients suspected of harboring pancreatic infection. Thirty-six patients (60%) were found by Gram stain and culture to have a total of 41 separate episodes of pancreatic infection. Among 42 aspirates judged to be infected by computed tomography-guided aspiration, all but one were confirmed by surgery or indwelling catheter drainage. Among 50 aspirates judged to be sterile, no subsequent evidence of infection was found. All patients tolerated the procedure well and no complications were noted. As a result of this technique, we observed that pancreatic infection occurs earlier than has been previously appreciated (within 14 days of the onset of pancreatitis in 20 of the 36 patients) and that infection may recur during prolonged bouts of pancreatitis. We conclude that guided aspiration is a safe, accurate method for identifying infection of the pancreas at an early stage.

Gas gangrene of the omental bursa following acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis with necrosis was followed by infection with Clostridium perfringens and formation of gas in the omental bursa. This could be seen preoperatively on an abdominal roentgenogram and was verified at operation. The patient recovered after debridement, drainage and irrigation and antimicrobial therapy.