A novel endoscopic morcellator device to facilitate direct necrosectomy of solid walled-off necrosis

Metal stent and percutaneous endoscopic necrosectomy as dual approach for the management of complex walled-off pancreatic necrosis

Pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) are one of the local complications of acute pancreatitis and include walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN), which are complex entities with challenging management. The infection of pancreatic necrosis leads to a poorer prognosis, with a growth of the mortality rate up to 30%. The primary strategy for managing PFCs is a minimally invasive step-up approach, with endosonography-guided transmural drainage and debridement as the preferred and less invasive method. Percutaneous drainage (PCD) can be the technique of choice when endoscopic drainage is not feasible, for example for early PFCs without a mature wall or for the anatomic location and extension to the paracolic gutter of the collection. As PCD alone may be ineffective, especially when a great amount of necrosis is present, a percutaneous endoscopic necrosectomy (PEN) has been proposed, showing interesting results. The technique consists of the placement of an esophageal fully or partially covered self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) percutaneously into the collection and a direct debridement can be performed using a flexible endoscope through the SEMS. In this review, we will discuss about the role of metal stent and PEN for the management of complex walled-off pancreatic necrosis.

Direct Endoscopic Necrosectomy of a Recurrent Walled-Off Pancreatic Necrosis at High Risk for Severe Bleeding: A Hybrid Technique Using a Dedicated Device

Direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN) is a challenging procedure for the debridement of walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN), which may be complicated by several adverse events, primarily bleeding which may require radiological embolization or even surgery. The lack of dedicated devices for this purpose largely affects the possibility of safely performing DEN which increases the risk of complications. We present the case of a 63 years-old man who underwent an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage of a WOPN, and who was readmitted one month after stent removal with clinical, endoscopic, and radiological signs of infected necrosis involving the splenic artery. A second EUS-guided drainage was performed, with clear visualization of the arterial vessel in the midst of a large amount of solid necrosis. Due to the high risk of major bleeding during DEN, a hybrid procedure in the angiographic room was performed, in order to identify and avoid, under fluoroscopic control, the splenic artery during the entire procedure guide, which was successfully performed using the EndoRotor system. We hereby review the current literature regarding DEN using the EndoRotor system. The case reported, with a literature overview, may help the management of these patients affected by benign but life-threatening conditions which involve a multidisciplinary setting.

Delayed endoscopic necrosectomy improves hospital length of stay and reduces endoscopic interventions in patients with symptomatic walled‐off necrosis

Objectives

Advancements in the endoscopic management of walled‐off necrosis using lumen apposing metal stents have improved outcomes over its surgical and percutaneous alternatives. The ideal procedural technique and timing of direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN) have yet to be clarified.

Methods

From November 2015 to June 2021, a retrospective comparative cohort analysis was performed comparing clinical outcomes for patients undergoing immediate DEN (iDEN) versus delayed DEN (dDEN). Subgroups were identified based on the quantification of necrosis. Wilcoxon two‐sample tests were used to compare continuous variables and Fisher's exact test was used to compare categorical variables.

Results

A total of 80 patients underwent DEN for management of walled‐off necrosis (iDEN = 43, dDEN = 37). Technical success was achieved in all patients. Clinical success was seen in 39 (91%) patients in the iDEN group and 34 (92%) in the dDEN group. Amongst iDEN patients, the mean number of necrosectomies was 2.5 (standard deviation [SD] 1.4) in comparison to 1.5 (SD 1.0) for dDEN (p‐value = 0.0011). The median index hospital length of stay was longer with iDEN than dDEN (7.5 days vs. 3.0 days respectively, p‐value = 0.010). Subgroup analysis was performed based on the percentage of necrosis (<25% vs. >25% necrosis). iDEN was associated with more necrosectomies than dDEN regardless of the percentage of necrosis (p = 0.017 and 0.0067, respectively).

Conclusion

Patients undergoing dDEN had a shorter index hospital stay and fewer necrosectomies than iDEN. The large diameter of lumen apposing metal stents permits adequate drainage allowing a less aggressive approach thereby improving clinical outcomes and avoiding unnecessary interventions.

Drainage of Complex Walled-Off Pancreatic Fluid Collections in LAMS Era: A Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

The lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) has been increasingly used for EUS-guided drainage of symptomatic walled-off pancreatic fluid collection (WOPFC) in recent years. Nevertheless, some WOPFCs may require additional drainage methods including another LAMS as a result of complexity of the lesions. This current study aimed to compare clinical parameters of patients with complex WOPFC requiring LAMS with additional methods (complex WOPFC: group A) versus single LAMS alone (noncomplex WOPFC; group B).

METHOD

Medical records of patients with complex (group A) versus noncomplex WOPFCs (group B) were reviewed and compared in three centers in Thailand and Malaysia, between January 2016 to December 2020.

RESULT

31 patients with WOPFCs were recruited. 6 of 31 (19%) patients were in group A. Multivariate analysis showed that the maximal diameter of WOPFCs in group A was significantly larger than that of group B (18 ± 6 versus 13 ± 3 cm in diameter, respectively, p = 0.021). Solid component proportion was higher in group A versus B (35.8% versus 17.8%, respectively, p = 0.025). The prevalence of pancreatic duct leakage was significantly higher in group A (67% versus 20%, p = 0.23). The need of direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN) and the number of DEN sessions were higher in group A versus B (100% vs. 48%, p = 0.020 and 3.5 vs 0 p = 0.031, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Complex WOPFC had larger diameter of lesions, higher proportion of solid component, higher prevalence of pancreatic duct leakage, and higher number of DEN is required than group noncomplex lesions. Trial Registration. This trial is registered with TCTR20180223004.

Endoscopic Management of Pancreatic Fluid Collections

Pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) are a common sequela of pancreatitis. Most PFCs can be managed conservatively, but symptomatic PFCs require either surgical, percutaneous, or endoscopic intervention. Recent advances in the therapeutics of PFCs, including the step-up approach, endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural drainage with lumen apposing metal stents, and direct endoscopic necrosectomy, have ushered endoscopy to the forefront of PFCs management and have allowed for improved patient outcomes and decreased morbidity. In this review, we explore the progress and future of endoscopic management of PFCs.

Endoscopic pancreatic necrosectomy in the United States-Mexico border: A cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

A recent expert panel issued recommendations about the technical aspects of direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN) for pancreatic walled-off necrosis (WON). However, significant technical heterogeneity still exists among endoscopists.

AIM

To report the outcomes of our DEN technique and how it differs from a recent expert consensus statement and previous studies.

METHODS

Medical records of patients with WON who underwent DEN from September 2016 - May 2019 were queried for the following information: Age, gender, ethnicity, etiology of acute pancreatitis, WON location and size, DEN technical information, adverse events (AEs) and outcomes. Adverse events were graded according to the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Lexicon grading system. Technical success was defined as adequate lumen apposing metal stent (LAMS) deployment plus removal of ≥ 90% of necrosum. Clinical success was defined as complete resolution of WON cavity by imaging and resolution of symptoms at ≤ 3 months (mo) after last DEN. Data analysis was performed using mean and standard deviation for continuous variables, frequency and proportion for categorical variables, and median and range for interval data.

RESULTS

A total of 21 patients underwent DEN. Most of them were Hispanic and their mean age was 51 ± 17 years. The majority of the collections were located in the body of the pancreas and the mean size was 13 cm ± 5 cm. The most common indication was persistent vomiting. Antibiotics were administered only in cases of infected necrosis. All LAMS were placed without radiological guidance, dilated the same day of deployment and removed after a mean of 27 ± 11 d. Routine cross-sectional imaging immediately after drainage was not performed. The mean interval between DEN sessions was 7 ± 4 d and the mean number of DEN/patient was 3 ± 2. Technical and clinical success rates were both 95%. AEs were seen in 5 patients and included: Sepsis (2), stent migration (1), stent maldeployment (1), perforation (1). The sensitivity and positive predictive value of an occluded LAMS leading to sepsis was 50% and 0.11 respectively. No fatalities were observed.

CONCLUSION

Our DEN technique differed significantly from the one recommended by a recent expert panel and the one published in previous studies. Despite these differences excellent clinical outcomes were obtained.