Clinical study on acute pancreatitis in pregnancy in 26 cases

A retrospective study of pregnant patients with acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

Acute pancreatitis is a rare disease in pregnant patients. Although it may have serious maternal and fetal consequences, morbidity and mortality rates have decreased recently due to appropriate and rapid treatment with earlier diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate pregnant patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

The study included pregnant patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis who were admitted to Adana City Training and Research Hospital in Adana, Turkey, between January 2014 and January 2022. Patients' files were screened. Patients' demographics, acute pancreatitis etiology, severity, complications, and applied treatment, as well as maternal and fetal outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

The study included 65 pregnant patients with acute pancreatitis. The mean age was 26.6±5 (19-41) years. Acute pancreatitis was observed in the third trimester. The most common cause of acute pancreatitis was gallstones, and its severity was often mild. Only two patients required endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and the remaining patients were treated medically. Maternal and infant death developed in a patient with necrotizing acute pancreatitis secondary to hyperlipidemia.

CONCLUSION

The most common etiology of acute pancreatitis in pregnancy was gallstones. Acute pancreatitis occurred in the third trimester. Most of the patients had mild acute pancreatitis. Maternal and fetal complications were rare. We think that the reasons for the low mortality rate were mild disease severity and biliary etiology, and most patients were in the third trimester, as well as early diagnosis and no delay in the intervention.

Impact of acute pancreatitis during pregnancy in Chinese women: a meta-analysis

A random-effects meta-analysis was performed in English and Chinese databases since its inception to August 2020 to assess the incidence, causes and severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) at various stages of pregnancy, maternal and foetal mortality. A total of 154 articles representing 4034 patients with AP during pregnancy in China were included for the analysis. The incidence of AP during pregnancy was 0.0469 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0349; 0.0627) in the first trimester, whereas it was 0.2518 (95% CI, 0.2210; 0.2854) and 0.6323 (95% CI, 0.5870; 0.6753) in the second and third trimester, respectively. The major causes of AP were hypertriglyceridaemia (0.351 [95% CI, 0.3202; 0.3834]) and biliary pancreatitis (0.424 [95% CI, 0.4094; 0.5002]). The severity of AP was mild in majority of the patients. The incidence of AP at maternal mortality was 0.0184 (95% CI, 0.0126; 0.0269) and foetal mortality was 0.1018 (95% CI, 0.0867; 0.1192). Our meta-analysis revealed that hypertriglyceridaemia and biliary pancreatitis remain the major causes of AP during pregnancy. Foetal mortality requires further investigation. IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Acute pancreatitis (AP) in pregnant women is characterised by acute onset and delay in understanding the interaction of the metabolic changes with pancreatic pathophysiology, and thus becomes difficult to diagnose the disease and provide timely treatment to the patients. This poses a greater health risk among women and their foetus by increasing their chances of mortality.What the results of this study add? We performed an exhaustive, random-effects meta-analysis involving 154 articles representing 4034 patients to assess the incidence of AP at various stages of pregnancy, the causes of AP and the severity of AP during pregnancy, maternal and foetal mortality.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our meta-analysis revealed that hypertriglyceridaemia and biliary pancreatitis remain the major causes of AP during pregnancy. Although the rates of maternal mortality have decreased in the recent years, foetal mortality still remains high and requires further investigation.

Acute Pancreatitis in Pregnancy: A Ten-Year Noninterventional, Retrospective Cohort Experience

Background

The study is aimed at evaluating the clinical attributes, types, and risk factors associated with poor outcomes in women with acute pancreatitis (AP) during pregnancy.

Methods

From 2011 to 2020, 45 antenatal mothers with AP were included in this noninterventional, retrospective study. The correlation between etiology of AP, its severity, biochemical parameters, length of stay, and treatment was analyzed. Based on the presence of organ failure and systemic complications, the severity of AP was classified according to the revised Atlantic criteria.

Results

In total, 19 (42.2%), 15 (33.3%), and 11 (24.2%) patients had mild AP (MAP), moderately severe AP (MSAP), and severe AP (SAP), respectively. The major cause of AP in these patients was hypertriglyceridemia (26.6%), while only 2 (4.44%) suffered from biliary pancreatitis. The median length of stay at hospital was significantly longer in patients with SAP (P = 0.034), and these patients had significantly higher triglycerides and total cholesterol levels when compared to MAP and MSAP. It was observed that levels of liver function enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase serum levels and aspartate aminotransferase serum levels were significantly higher in patients who stayed in hospital for >13 days. The presence of hypertriglyceridemia significantly increased the duration of stay (>13 days, P = 0.04) and induced SAP (P = 0.001). Majority of patients with SAP received blood purification than those with MAP and MSAP (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Hypertriglyceridemia was associated with AP during pregnancy in our study. Early diagnosis of AP and assessment of its severity are very important for the general management of this disease.

Challenging Obstetrical Management in Generalized Peritonitis during Pregnancy

Acute abdomen in pregnancy represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, despite the current advances in modern medicine, since the typical symptoms and altered laboratory parameters mimic normal pregnancy. Acute appendicitis is the most common nonobstetric surgical emergency during pregnancy, with an incidence of 1 per 500-2000 pregnancies. Delayed diagnosis and reluctance to operate on a pregnant woman predispose to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. The elective termination of pregnancy or interventions to prolong it in the presence of appendicitis is controversial. We present a case of a 38-year-old Caucasian woman, G2P0, admitted to the Obstetric Emergency Department at 13 4/7 weeks of gestation with a primary complaint of severe nausea and vomiting associated with progressive diffuse abdominal pain which had started 7 days before. After the difficulty of inherent differential diagnosis, she was diagnosed with generalized peritonitis due to acute perforated appendicitis. Prompt exploratory laparotomy with appendectomy and drainage of multiple abscesses were performed. Conservative obstetrical management was assumed, with subsequent periodic monitoring of the fetal focus. Due to abdominal compartment syndrome, the abdomen was left open for 4 days. After 7 days in the intensive care unit, recovery was favorable, pregnancy remained uneventful, and a healthy full-term baby was born 27 weeks later. This case represents a successful example of how the cooperation of the obstetrics and general surgery teams and the decision of conservative obstetrical management in the surgical environment contributed to optimizing maternal health, achieving the best obstetrical outcome.

Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy and its impact on the maternal and foetal outcomes: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of AP in pregnancy (APIP) is uncertain with varying reports of its impact on maternal and foetal outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This study was aimed to find the prevalence of APIP and its effect on the maternal and foetal outcomes.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Electronic databases were searched upto 31.05.2020 for the appropriate studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Prospective, retrospective observational studies or case series evaluating APIP in terms of maternal and foetal outcomes were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data on the prevalence of APIP, etiology, maternal mortality rates and foetal outcomes were collated. Due to high heterogeneity among the studies, the data has been represented as a systematic review.

RESULTS

A total of 16 studies with 8466 pregnant patients were included in the systematic review. The overall prevalence of APIP ranged from 0.225/1000 pregnancies to 2.237/1000 pregnancies. Gallstone disease was the most common cause ranging from 14.29 to 96.3%, with eastern studies reporting more cases of hypertriglyceridemia as etiology. Mild pancreatitis was noted in 33.33-100% of cases with milder disease among western studies. APIP incidence was higher during 3rd trimester (27.27%-95.24%). Maternal mortality ranged from 0 to 12.12/100 pregnancies. Foetal loss ranged from 0 to 23.08%, with adverse foetal outcomes ranging from 0 to 57.41%. Neonatal mortality ranged from 0 to 75.5/1000 neonatal live birth.

CONCLUSION

APIP is usually mild, but its incidence increases with gestational age. Maternal outcome is usually good but adverse foetal outcome is high in APIP (PROSPERO No.: CRD42020194313).

Adherence to the evidence-based guidelines in the management of acute biliary pancreatitis: A case series

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is considered one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders; the annual worldwide incidence for AP is 4.9-73.4 cases / 100,000 people and the total mortality rate is 4-8%, increasing to 33% in patients with infected necrosis. This study aims to assess the outcome of providing standardized evidence-based care to patients with acute biliary pancreatitis.

METHODS

Thirty patients diagnosed with acute biliary pancreatitis, were enrolled in this study and managed according to the Japanese guidelines, 2015 with a complementary scope on other recent guidelines.

RESULTS

Out of 30 patients in the study, 60% were females. Twenty-five cases were presented in the early phase of the disease while the rest presented in the late phase. Gallstones were the commonest cause (80%). The complications encountered were a systemic complication in one case, organ failure in three cases, and the local complications in the form of fluid collections in (43.3%) of cases.Out of 30 patients, 6 patients had an intervention. The main approach was minimally invasive techniques (4 cases), Open approach was performed in 2 cases. The total mortality rate was 10%. Most mild cases were discharged within one week from admission. Cases readmitted with recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis were 3 cases, one male and 2 females.

CONCLUSION

By applying guidelines in the management of acute biliary pancreatitis, we can reduce disease-related morbidity and mortality. Besides, we can reduce the costs of medical services with the proper investment of healthcare resources.

Therapeutic approaches in hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis: A literature review of available therapies and case series

Hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HGAP) is the third most common etiology of acute pancreatitis. HGAP can be attributed to genetic disturbances in triglyceride metabolism or multiple secondary causes. Here, we presented three cases for HGAP and explored different therapeutic approaches for treating HGAP. A case series of three patients who presented with HGAP and underwent different therapeutic approaches was conducted. The first patient was a 37-year-old male who presented with nonsevere HGAP; he was treated with conservative therapy with insulin and heparin infusion, which resulted in clinical and laboratory improvement. The second patient was a 64-year-old male with human immunodeficiency virus on multiple highly active antiretroviral therapy. He presented with severe HGAP and multiorgan failure. After initiation of therapeutic plasma exchange, his HGAP resolved. The third patient was a 28-year-old male who presented with recurrent episodes of HGAP; his conservative therapy failed and was eventually escalated to therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). HGAP can be attributed to genetic disturbances of lipid or secondary etiologies. A nonsevere form of HGAP can be managed with conventional therapy including insulin and heparin; however, severe HGAP may require TPE.

Treatment of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis with insulin

INTRODUCTION

Hypertriglyceridaemia (HT)-induced pancreatitis rarely occurs unless triglyceride levels exceed 1000 mg/dl. Hypertriglyceridaemia over 1,000 mg/dl can provoke acute pancreatitis (AP) and its persistence can worsen the clinical outcome. In contrast, a rapid decrease in triglyceride level is beneficial. Insulin-stimulated lipoprotein lipase is known to decrease serum triglyceride levels. However, their efficacy in HT-induced AP is not well documented.

AIM

To present 12 cases of AP successfully treated by insulin administration.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Three hundred and forty-three cases of AP were diagnosed at our clinic between 2005 and 2012. Twelve (3.5%) of these cases were HT-induced AP. Twelve patients who suffered HT-induced AP are reported. Initial blood triglyceride levels were above 1000 mg/dl. Besides the usual treatment of AP, insulin was administered intravenously in continuous infusion. The patients' medical records were retrospectively evaluated in this study.

RESULTS

Serum triglyceride levels decreased to < 500 mg/dl within 2-3 days. No complications of treatment were seen and good clinical outcome was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results are compatible with the literature. Insulin may be used safely and effectively in HT-induced AP therapy. Administration of insulin is efficient when used to reduce triglyceride levels in patients with HT-induced AP.

Timing of cholecystectomy after acute severe pancreatitis in pregnancy

Acute pancreatitis is one of the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and is usually caused by gallstones; its occurrence in pregnancy is rare. Cholecystectomy for biliary pancreatitis during pregnancy is unavoidable, but its timing is controversial. We herein present the case of a patient who underwent termination of pregnancy due to deteriorated acute severe pancreatitis during the 27th week of gestation. Cholecystectomy was performed because of the relapse of acute biliary pancreatitis 10 days after being discharged. The interval from pancreatitis to cholecystectomy varies with its severity; in mild pancreatitis the interval may be one week, but in severe cases it maybe up to three weeks. Because pancreatitis may relapse during this interval, as occurred in the present case, a better solution for the timing of cholecystectomy must be sought.

Acute Pancreatitis Due to Hypertriglyceridaemia in Pregnancy

Acute pancreatitis due to hypertriglyceridaemia during pregnancy is a rare but severe clinical condition that may cause fatal results for both the mother and the foetus. Acute pancreatitis developed in a 37-year-old pregnant woman with familial hypertriglyceridaemia and diabetes mellitus in the 31(st) week of pregnancy. As intrauterine foetal death developed, the pregnancy of the patient was terminated. Additionally, insulin, octreotide and plasmapheresis with "double membrane filtration" were applied, and triglycerides rapidly decreased. After 24 hours, the level of triglycerides decreased from 9742 mg dL(-1) to 432 mg dL(-1). The patient was discharged from the intensive care unit at the end of 5 days and was discharged from the hospital after 32 days. The current article presents the successful treatment of severe hypertriglyceridaemia in a pregnant case.

Treatment of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis with insulin

INTRODUCTION

Hypertriglyceridaemia (HT)-induced pancreatitis rarely occurs unless triglyceride levels exceed 1000 mg/dl. Hypertriglyceridaemia over 1,000 mg/dl can provoke acute pancreatitis (AP) and its persistence can worsen the clinical outcome. In contrast, a rapid decrease in triglyceride level is beneficial. Insulin-stimulated lipoprotein lipase is known to decrease serum triglyceride levels. However, their efficacy in HT-induced AP is not well documented.

AIM

To present 12 cases of AP successfully treated by insulin administration.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Three hundred and forty-three cases of AP were diagnosed at our clinic between 2005 and 2012. Twelve (3.5%) of these cases were HT-induced AP. Twelve patients who suffered HT-induced AP are reported. Initial blood triglyceride levels were above 1000 mg/dl. Besides the usual treatment of AP, insulin was administered intravenously in continuous infusion. The patients' medical records were retrospectively evaluated in this study.

RESULTS

Serum triglyceride levels decreased to < 500 mg/dl within 2-3 days. No complications of treatment were seen and good clinical outcome was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results are compatible with the literature. Insulin may be used safely and effectively in HT-induced AP therapy. Administration of insulin is efficient when used to reduce triglyceride levels in patients with HT-induced AP.

A Case of Idiopathic Acute Pancreatitis in the First Trimester of Pregnancy

Acute pancreatitis is rare in pregnancy, with an estimated incidence of approximately 1 in 1000 to 1 in 10,000 pregnancies. Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy usually occurs in the third trimester. Here, we report a case of acute pancreatitis in the first trimester. A 36-year-old primigravida at 11 weeks of gestation complained of severe lower abdominal pain. The pain gradually worsened and migrated toward the epigastric region. She had no history of chronic alcoholism. Blood investigations showed elevated level of C-reactive protein (9.58 mg/dL), pancreatic amylase (170 IU/L), and lipase (332 IU/L). There was no gallstone and no abnormality in the pancreatic and biliary ducts on ultrasonography. Antinuclear antibody and IgG4 were negative and no evidence of hyperlipidemia or diabetes was found. There was also no evidence of viral infection. On the third day of hospitalization, she was diagnosed with severe acute pancreatitis on magnetic resonance imaging. Medical interventions were initiated with nafamostat mesilate and ulinastatin, and parenteral nutrition was administered through a central venous catheter. On the eighth day of hospitalization, her condition gradually improved with a decreased level of pancreatic amylase and the pain subsided. After conservative management, she did not have any recurrence during her pregnancy.

Acute idiopathic pancreatitis in pregnancy: A case study

Acute pancreatitis during pregnancy is a rare event, and can be associated with high maternal mortality and fetal loss. Gallstone disease is thought to be the most common causative factor of acute pancreatitis, but, in many cases, the cause remains unclear. We report a case of a 36-year-old woman at 35 wk of gestation, who presented with severe pain confined to the upper abdomen and radiating to the back. The patient was diagnosed with acute idiopathic pancreatitis, which was managed conservatively; she recovered within several days and then delivered a healthy baby. Therefore it is important to consider acute pancreatitis when a pregnant woman presents with upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting in order to improve fetal and maternal outcomes for patients with acute pancreatitis.

Unexpected fetal demise despite the reactive nonstress test during the conservative management of acute pancreatitis in pregnancy

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Dealing with acute pancreatitis in pregnancy is a challenging problem.

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Even in the presence of reassuring NST and biophysical profile assessment, an unpredictable fetal loss can occur during the medical management of the pregnancies complicated with mild acute pancreatitis.

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Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a potentially life threatening inflammatory condition of the pancreas with a high mortality and morbidity rates.

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We report a complicated case of mild acute pancreatitis induced by gallbladder sludge in a pregnant woman whose pregnancy ended up with unexpected fetal demise at 34 weeks of her gestation.

INTRODUCTION

Dealing with acute pancreatitis in pregnancy is a challenging problem due to unexpected nature of the disease.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We report a complicated case of a 29-year-old pregnant woman with a mild acute pancreatitis whose pregnancy ended up with an unexpected fetal demise at her 34th gestational week. This unfortunate outcome led us reconsider our obstetrical approach to acute pancreatitis during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Based on this unfortunate event, we now think that obstetricians should keep in mind that even in the presence of reassuring NST and biophysical profile assessment, an unpredictable fetal loss can occur during the medical management of the pregnancies complicated with mild acute pancreatitis.

DISCUSSION

The subject patient of this case report was diagnosed with mild AP and underwent conservative medical management. Since the patient was stable and fetal well-being was confirmed with BPP and NST, the termination of pregnancy was out of question at that time. The occurrence of unexpected fetal death despite assuring parameters led us reconsider the approach to the pregnant women with mild AP.

Clinical analysis of 16 patients with acute pancreatitis in the third trimester of pregnancy

AIM

Acute pancreatitis (AP), in particular, severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), is a rare but challenging complication during pregnancy in terms of diagnosis and management. The objective of this paper is to investigate the causes and therapeutic strategies of AP in patients during the third trimester of pregnancy.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical features, laboratory data, and outcomes in 16 patients with acute pancreatitis during the third trimester of pregnancy.

RESULTS

Information was collected on admission, management, and outcome. A total 16 patients were diagnosed with acute pancreatitis during pregnancy. In 7 of 9 patients with mild AP, pregnancy was terminated by cesarean section and all 9 cases were cured. In 4 out of 7 patients with SAP, pregnancy was terminated by cesarean section in conjunction with peritoneal irrigation and drainage, and the mothers and infants survived. In the remaining 3 patients with SAP, there was one case of intrauterine death in which Induced labor was performed and 2 patients died of multiple organ failure.

CONCLUSION

A high-fat diet and cholelithiasis are the triggers of AP in pregnancy. Conservative treatment is the preferred therapeutic method; in particular, for mild AP. Endoscopic surgery and peritoneal drainage are effective for acute biliary pancreatitis. Patients with hyperlipidemic pancreatitis should undergo lipid-lowering therapy, and hemofiltration should be done as soon as it becomes necessary. For patients with SAP, termination of pregnancy should be carried out as early as possible.