Energy expenditure and loss of muscle and fat mass in patients with walled-off pancreatic necrosis: A prospective study

Supportive treatment during the periprocedural period of endoscopic treatment for pancreatic fluid collections: a critical review of current knowledge and future perspectives

Pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) commonly develop as complications of acute pancreatitis and ductal disruption due to chronic pancreatitis. In the revised Atlanta classification, PFCs were classified based on the presence of necrosis and duration following the onset of acute pancreatitis. Interventions are required in cases of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts or walled-off necrosis (WON). In the management of these PFCs, endoscopic ultrasound-guided transluminal drainage and subsequent direct endoscopic necrosectomy for WON are increasingly utilized as less invasive treatment modalities compared to surgical debridement. To date, researchers have focused predominantly on the technical aspects of endoscopic therapy for symptomatic PFCs. Given the poor physical condition of patients receiving endoscopic treatment for PFCs, systemic support may have a substantial impact on the short- and long-term outcomes of these patients. A multidisciplinary approach is required to improve the clinical outcomes of patients with infected PFCs and their associated comorbidities. However, non-interventional support during the periprocedural period of endoscopic treatment of PFCs has not been fully discussed, and there have been considerable variations in the selection of treatment options between endoscopists and centers. To address these unmet needs in the clinical management of PFCs and promote future research to improve the clinical outcomes, we conducted a review of the literature within a multicenter consortium of expert endoscopists with specific expertise in the endoscopic treatment of PFCs. In this review, we summarize the current evidence on non-interventional supportive care (e.g., continuous lavage, medications, nutritional support, and antimicrobials) and propose potential topics for future research.

Long-term changes of pancreatic function in patients with complicated walled-off necrosis

OBJECTIVES

Walled-off necrosis (WON) is a serious complication to necrotizing acute pancreatitis with a high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term changes in pancreatic function, metabolic function and body composition in patients with WON.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Observational study including patients with WON who underwent endoscopic transmural drainage and necrosectomy. Patients were prospectively evaluated at baseline, 3-6 months after discharge, and 12 months after discharge. Patients were characterized with fecal elastase, blood samples, computer tomography, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and Lundh's test.

RESULTS

The study includes 17 patients (11 men) with WON. The etiologies were gallstones (53%) alcohol intake (35%) and 12% had an unknown etiology. The body mass index (BMI) dropped during baseline and 3 months after discharge (p = .03) and increased 12 months after discharge (p = .002). Twelve months after discharge, 29% had mild exocrine insufficiency, 7% moderate insufficiency and 50% severe insufficiency based on the Lundh's test. Fecal elastase was <100 μg/g in 35% and <200 μg/g in 59% 12 months after discharge. Only, 24% required pancreatic enzyme substitution. Endocrine insufficiency developed in 24%. These patients also had exocrine insufficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

A considerable proportion of patients with WON experience both endocrine and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency suggesting that long-term follow-up is needed in order to ensure adequate treatment.

The negative association between skeletal muscle and fat mass wasting caused by oesophagectomy in patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

This prospective observational study aimed to investigate postoperative skeletal muscle and fat mass wasting and their clinical significance in oesophageal cancer patients undergoing minimally invasive McKeown oesophagectomy.

METHODS

Bioelectrical impedance analyses of body compositions were conducted before surgery and 1, 4 and 12 weeks after surgery. Curve-fitting analysis was used to describe the relationship between changes in the skeletal muscle mass index (ΔSMI) and fat mass index (ΔFMI). A logistic regression-based nomogram was established using the R tool.

RESULTS

Among the 78 patients, 74.4% were male, and the mean age was 64.8 [standard deviation (SD): 6.6] years. Decreased SMIs and FMIs were concentrated in the first 4 weeks after surgery, with proportions of -3.42% (SD: 4.58) and -17.7% (SD: 11.9), respectively. A negative relationship between ΔFMI and ΔSMI was detected by linear regression (coefficient -0.341, P < 0.001). Based on the median ΔSMI to ΔFMI ratio (35.5%), 2 postoperative weight loss types were defined: SMI-dominated (SMDT) and FMI-dominated (FMDT) types. SMDT patients reported increased feeding-related problems, poorer functional status and more unhealthy symptoms than FMDT patients within 12 weeks after surgery. SMDT patients also showed poorer 2-year overall survival (71.1% vs 87.3%, P = 0.021) and disease-free survival (60.5% vs 84.9%, P = 0.032) than FMDT patients. A nomogram based on baseline and perioperative parameters was established to quantify postoperative SMDT and FMDT tendencies with good accuracy (C-index: 0.897).

CONCLUSIONS

The negative relationship between ΔFMI and ΔSMI indicated differentiated metabolism post-oesophagectomy. SMDT was associated with adverse therapeutic outcomes and warranted aggressive interventions.

CLINICAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

The study protocol was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the registration number ChiCTR1800018511.