Surgery in the treatment of acute pancreatitis--minimal access pancreatic necrosectomy

Natural History of Asymptomatic Walled-off Necrosis in Patients With Acute Pancreatitis

Background and objectives Studies on the natural history of asymptomatic walled-off necrosis (WON) in acute pancreatitis (AP) are scarce. We conducted a prospective observational study to look for the incidence of infection in WON. Material and methods In this study, we included 30 consecutive AP patients with asymptomatic WON. Their baseline clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters were recorded and followed up for three months. Mann Whitney U test and unpaired t-tests were used for quantitative data and chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used for qualitative data analysis. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was done to identify the appropriate cutoffs for the significant variables. Results Of the 30 patients enrolled, 25 (83.3%) were males. Alcohol was the most common etiology. Eight patients (26.6%) developed an infection on follow-up. All were managed by drainage either percutaneously (n=4, 50%) or endoscopically (n=3, 37.5%). One patient required both. No patient required surgery and there was no mortality. Median baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) was higher in infection group 76 (IQR=34.8) mg/L vs asymptomatic group, 9.5 mg/dl (IQR=13.6), p<0.001. IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was also higher in the infection group. The size of the largest collection (157.50±33.59 mm vs 81.95±26.22 mm, P<0.001) and CT severity index (CTSI) (9.50±0.93 vs 7.82±1.37, p<0.01) were also higher in infection group as compared to the asymptomatic group. ROC curve analysis of baseline CRP (cutoff 49.5mg/dl), size of WON (cutoff 127mm) and CTSI (cutoff of 9) showed AUROC (area under ROC) of 1, 0.97, and 0.81 respectively for the future development of infection in WON. Conclusion Around one-fourth of asymptomatic WON patients developed an infection during three-months follow-up. Most patients with infected WON can be managed conservatively.

C-reactive protein predicts the development of walled-off necrosis in patients with severe acute pancreatitis

Background and Aim

Walled‐off necrosis (WON) is reported to occur in 1–9% of patients with acute pancreatitis. However, the factors associated with the onset of this condition have not been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the potential predictive factors for WON in patients diagnosed with severe acute pancreatitis at our hospital.

Methods

This study included 26 patients with severe acute pancreatitis identified among the 211 patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to our hospital between January 2014 and December 2018. Patients with and without WON (WON and non‐WON groups, respectively) were compared to identify potential factors involved in the onset of this condition.

Results

The 26 patients had a median age of 67 years, and 65% were male. WON occurred in 15 patients (57.7%). In a univariate analysis, the WON and non‐WON groups differed significantly in terms of maximum C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels (median) (322.7 mg/L vs 163.8 mg/L [P = 0.001]). In a multivariate analysis, a significant association was identified between the maximum CRP level and the onset of WON (odds ratio: 1.20, 95% confidence interval: 1.05–1.37). The CRP level peaked within 3 days in 88%.

Conclusion

The maximum CRP level was identified as a predictive factor for the onset of WON, and a high proportion of patients with WON exhibited elevated CRP levels within 3 days after diagnosis. This work suggests the clinical importance of continuous monitoring at an early stage after diagnosis to identify the maximum CRP level.

Strategic approach to minimally invasive necrosectomy for necrotizing pancreatitis: technique, complications and predictors of outcome

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive retroperitoneal necrosectomy has been an integral component of 'step-up' approach for infected pancreatic necrosis. Even though the clinical outcome of nephroscopic necrosectomy has been studied earlier, its predictor and morbidities following surgery have not been extensively evaluated. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcome and early and late complications after percutaneous nephroscopic necrosectomy (PCNN).

METHODS

The pre- and intra-operative as well as post-operative and follow-up data of severe pancreatitis patients undergoing PCNN were collected prospectively.

RESULTS

Out of 115 patients requiring intervention, 40 patients (34.78%) improved with percutaneous drain alone and another 40 proceeded for PCNN. After exclusion, 37 patients successfully underwent 48 sessions of PCNN. Median number of PCNN session was 1 (1-4). Early complications were seen in 21 (56.75%) patients and mortality was experienced in eight (21.62%) patients. On median follow-up of 36 months, 12 (32.43%) patients experienced late complications. Persistent post-operative pancreatic fistula was observed in six (16.21%) patients. Of these, three developed late-onset pseudocyst, whereas one patient had disconnected duct syndrome. Seven patients experienced new-onset diabetes. Age, severity of pancreatitis, preoperative organ failure and multiorgan failure were significant predictors of mortality on univariate analysis (P ≤ 0.05 for each). The logistic regression analysis revealed presence of multiorgan failure before surgery as the sole predictor (P = 0.007; odds ratio 10.417; 95% confidence interval 1.759-61.672).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative multiorgan failure was the most important predictor of mortality following PCNN. Late complications were seen in nearly one-third of patients emphasizing the need for long-term follow-up.

NECROTIZING PANCREATITIS: THE WAYS OF IMPROVEMENT OF SURGICAL TREATMENT

Background. In connection with a steady increase of patients with destructive forms of acute pancreatitis, the proportion of which takes from 10-15 to 20-30%, despite of the wide range of treatments for non-biliary necrotizing pancreatitis, the rate of mortality reaches 80-90% in case of infected forms and needs further improvement of therapies. Objective. The purpose of this study is to improve the results of treatment of patients with nonbiliary necrotizing pancreatitis, by optimizing surgical tactics. Methods. The study examined the cases of 120 patients, whose age ranged from 22 to 83 years, including patients under the age of 50 years old who accounted for 60.0%. There were 80 males (66.7%) and 40 females (33.3%). Disease duration up to 24 hours was found in 36 (30.0%) patients, from 25 to 72 hours - in 25 (20.8%) individuals, more than 72 hours - in 49 (49.2%) patients. Results. The research claims in non-necrotizing pancreatitis, left-sided retroperitoneal phlegmon often develops in 64.2% (mortality rate 26.0%) of patients, right-sided in 24.2% (mortality rate 6.8%) of patients, and bilateral - in 11, 6% (mortality rate 64.2%) individuals. Moreover, the highest mortality was observed with a combination of retroperitoneal phlegmon cellulose and abscess of the pancreas and/or omental bursa - 39.1%. Conclusions. The use of various surgical interventions depending on the involvement in the pathological process of various sections of the abdominal cavity/ retroperitoneal space, which made it possible to reduce mortality and hospitalization time of patients in the hospital by 1.5-2 times is proposed.

Incidence, predictors and clinical outcome of pancreatic fistula in patients receiving splenectomy for advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer: a large multicentric experience

PURPOSE

To evaluate the incidence, predictors and clinical outcome of pancreatic fistulas in patients receiving splenectomy during cytoreductive surgery for advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Data of women who underwent splenectomy during cytoreduction for advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer from December 2012 to May 2018 were retrospectively retrieved from the oncological databases of five institutions. Surgical, post-operative and follow-up data were analysed.

RESULTS

Overall, 260 patients were included in the study. Pancreatic resection was performed in 45 (17.6%) women, 23 of whom received capsule resection alone, while 22 required tail resection. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) was administered in 28 (10.8%) patients. In the overall population, a pancreatic fistula was detected in 32 (12.3%) patients, and pancreatic resection (p-value = 0.033) and HIPEC administration (p-value = 0.039) were associated with fistula development. In multivariate analysis, HIPEC (OR = 2.573; p-value = 0.058) was confirmed as a risk factor for fistula development in women receiving splenectomy alone, while concomitant cholecystectomy (OR = 2.680; p-value = 0.012) was identified as the only independent predictor of the occurrence of pancreatic fistulas in those receiving additional distal pancreatectomy. Although the median length of hospital stay was higher in women with pancreatic leakage (p-value = 0.008), the median time from surgery to adjuvant treatment was not significantly increased.

CONCLUSION

HIPEC was identified as a risk factor for pancreatic fistulas in patients who underwent splenectomy alone, while concomitant cholecystectomy was the only independent predictor of fistula in those receiving additional pancreatectomy. The development of pancreatic leakage was not associated with increased post-operative mortality or delay in the initiation of chemotherapy.

Robot-assisted trans-gastric drainage and debridement of walled-off pancreatic necrosis using the EndoWrist stapler for the da Vinci Xi: A case report

BACKGROUND

Walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) is a late complication of acute pancreatitis. The management of a WOPN depends on its location and on patient's symptoms. Trans-gastric drainage and debridement of WOPN represents an important surgical treatment option for selected patients. The da Vinci surgical System has been developed to allow an easy, minimally invasive and fast surgery, also in challenging abdominal procedures. We present here a case of a WOPN treated with a robotic trans-gastric drainage using the da Vinci Xi.

CASE SUMMARY

A 63-year-old man with an episode of acute necrotizing pancreatitis was referred to our center. Six wk after the acute episode the patient developed a walled massive fluid collection, with an extensive pancreatic necrosis, causing obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. The patient underwent a robotic trans-gastric drainage and debridement of the WOPN performed with the da Vinci Xi platform. Firstly, an anterior ideal gastrotomy was carried out, guided by intraoperative ultrasound (US)-scan using the TilePro™ function. Then, through the gastrotomy, the best location for drainage on the posterior gastric wall was again US-guided identified. The anastomosis between the posterior gastric wall and the walled-off necrosis wall was carried out with the new EndoWrist stapler with vascular cartridge. Debridement and washing of the cavity through the anastomosis were performed. Finally, the anterior gastrotomy was closed and the cholecystectomy was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful and a post-operative computed tomography-scan showed the collapse of the fluid collection.

CONCLUSION

In selected cases of WOPN the da Vinci Surgical System can be safely used as a valid surgical treatment option.

Stent-Assisted Percutaneous Endoscopic Necrosectomy for Infected Pancreatic Necrosis: Technical Report and a Pilot Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

A variety of minimally invasive techniques have been proposed to replace open surgery for the treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN). In this study, we evaluate the feasibility and safety of the stent-assisted percutaneous endoscopic necrosectomy (SAPEN) procedure.

METHODS

Data were collected on all patients who underwent the SAPEN procedure between October 2017 and March 2018. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the study patients were analyzed. A composite primary endpoint of major complications and/or death was used. Three different cases were selected to illustrate different technical aspects of the SAPEN procedure.

RESULTS

The placement of a percutaneous stent was successful in all of the 23 patients (17 males, six females). IPN was successfully managed in 16/23 (70%) patients, with the need for open surgery in seven patients (30%), with a median of two (range 1-5) SAPEN procedures. No significant procedure-related complications occurred. Overall 11/23 (48%) patients had a major complication and/or death.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the SAPEN procedure was effective in treating IPN without adding extra procedural risk. The role and benefits of the SAPEN procedure now need to be demonstrated in larger controlled study.

Minimally invasive surgery in the era of step-up approach for treatment of severe acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

To assess the minimally invasive surgery into the step-up approach procedures as a standard treatment for severe acute pancreatitis and comparing its results with those obtained by classical management.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study comparative with two groups treated over two consecutive, equal periods of time were defined: group A, classic management with open necrosectomy from January 2006 to June 2010; and group B, management with the step-up approach with minimally invasive surgery from July 2010 to December 2014.

RESULTS

In group A, 83 patients with severe acute pancreatitis were treated, of whom 19 underwent at least one laparotomy, and in 5 any minimally invasive surgery. In group B, 81 patients were treated: minimally invasive surgery was necessary in 17 cases and laparotomy in 3. Among operated patients, the time from admission to first interventional procedures was significantly longer in group B (9 days vs. 18.5 days; p = 0.042). There were no significant differences in Intensive Care Unit stay or overall stay: 9.5 and 27 days (group A) vs. 8.5 and 21 days (group B). Mortality in operated patients and mortality overall were 50% and 18.1% in group A vs 0% and 6.2% in group B (p < 0.001 and p = 0.030).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of the step-up approach and minimally invasive surgery algorithm is feasible and could be considered as the standard of treatment for severe acute pancreatitis. The mortality rate deliberately descends when it is used.

Predictive Value of Computed Tomography Scans and Clinical Findings for the Need of Endoscopic Necrosectomy in Walled-off Necrosis From Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

Choosing the best treatment option at the optimal point of time for patients with walled-off necrosis (WON) is crucial. We aimed to identify imaging parameters and clinical findings predicting the need of necrosectomy in patients with WON.

METHODS

All patients with endoscopically diagnosed WON and pseudocyst were retrospectively identified. Post hoc analysis of pre-interventional contrast-enhanced computed tomography was performed for factors predicting the need of necrosectomy.

RESULTS

Sixty-five patients were included in this study. Forty patients (61.5%) were diagnosed with pseudocyst and 25 patients (38.5%) with WON. Patients with WON mostly had acute pancreatitis with biliary cause compared with more chronic pancreatitis and toxic cause in pseudocyst group (P = 0.002 and P = 0.004, respectively). Logistic regression revealed diabetes as a risk factor for WON. Computed tomography scans revealed 4.62% (n = 3) patients as false positive and 24.6% (n = 16) as false negative findings for WON. Reduced perfusion and detection of solid findings were independent risk factors for WON.

CONCLUSIONS

Computed tomography scans are of low diagnostic yield when needed to predict treatment of patients with pancreatic cysts. Reduced pancreatic perfusion and solid findings seem to be a risk factor for WON, whereas patients with diabetes seem to be at higher risk of developing WON.

Outcomes From Minimal Access Retroperitoneal and Open Pancreatic Necrosectomy in 394 Patients With Necrotizing Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

To examine the outcomes from minimal access retroperitoneal pancreatic necrosectomy (MARPN) and open pancreatic necrosectomy (OPN) for severe necrotizing pancreatitis in a single center.

BACKGROUND

The optimal management of severe pancreatic necrosis is evolving with a few large center single series.

METHODS

Between 1997 and 2013, patients with necrotizing pancreatitis at the Liverpool Pancreas Center were reviewed. Outcome measures were retrospectively analyzed by intention to treat.

RESULTS

There were 394 patients who had either MARPN (274, 69.5%) or OPN (120, 30.5%). Complications occurred in 174 MARPN patients (63.5%) and 98 (81.7%) OPN patients (P < 0.001). OPN was associated with increased postoperative multiorgan failure [42 (35%) vs 56 (20.4%), P = 0.001] and median (inter-quartile range) Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score 9 (6-11.5) vs 8 (5-11), P < 0.001] with intensive care required less frequently in MARPN patients [40.9% (112) vs 75% (90), P < 0.001]. The mortality rate was 42 (15.3%) in MARPNs and 28 (23.3%) in OPNs (P = 0.064). Both the mortality and the overall complication rates decreased between 1997-2008 and 2008-2013 [49 (23.8%) vs 21 (11.2%) P = 0.001, respectively; and 151 (73.3%) vs 121 (64.4%), P = 0.080, respectively). Increased mortality was independently associated with age (P < 0.001), preoperative intensive care stay (P = 0.014), and multiple organ failure (P < 0.001); operation before 2008 (P < 0.001) and conversion to OPN (P = 0.035). MARPN independently reduced mortality odds risk (odds ratio = 0.27; 95% confidence interval = 0.12-0.57; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing experience and advances in perioperative care have led to improvement in outcomes. The role of MARPN in reducing complications and deaths within a multimodality approach remains substantial and should be used initially if feasible.

Interventions for necrotising pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Acute necrotising pancreatitis carries significant mortality, morbidity, and resource use. There is considerable uncertainty as to how people with necrotising pancreatitis should be treated.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and harms of different interventions in people with acute necrotising pancreatitis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, 2015, Issue 4), MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded, and trials registers to April 2015 to identify randomised controlled trials (RCT). We also searched the references of included trials to identify further trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We considered only RCTs performed in people with necrotising pancreatitis, irrespective of aetiology, presence of infection, language, blinding, or publication status for inclusion in the review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently identified trials and extracted data. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) and mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using Review Manager 5 based on an available-case analysis using fixed-effect and random-effects models. We planned a network meta-analysis using Bayesian methods, but due to sparse data and uncertainty about the transitivity assumption, performed only indirect comparisons and used Frequentist methods.

MAIN RESULTS

We included eight RCTs with 311 participants in this review. After exclusion of five participants, we included 306 participants in one or more outcomes. Five trials (240 participants) investigated the three main treatments: open necrosectomy (121 participants), minimally invasive step-up approach (80 participants), and peritoneal lavage (39 participants) and were included in the network meta-analysis. Three trials (66 participants) investigated the variations in the main treatments: early open necrosectomy (25 participants), delayed open necrosectomy (11 participants), video-assisted minimally invasive step-up approach (12 participants), endoscopic minimally invasive step-up approach (10 participants), minimally invasive step-up approach (planned surgery) (four participants), and minimally invasive step-up approach (continued percutaneous drainage) (four participants). The trials included infected or sterile necrotising pancreatitis of varied aetiology.All the trials were at unclear or high risk of bias and the overall quality of evidence was low or very low for all the outcomes. Overall, short-term mortality was 30% and serious adverse events rate was 139 serious adverse events per 100 participants. The differences in short-term mortality and proportion of people with serious adverse events were imprecise in all the comparisons. The number of serious adverse events and adverse events were fewer in the minimally invasive step-up approach compared to open necrosectomy (serious adverse events: rate ratio 0.41, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.68; 88 participants; 1 study; adverse events: rate ratio 0.41, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.68; 88 participants; 1 study). The proportion of people with organ failure and the mean costs were lower in the minimally invasive step-up approach compared to open necrosectomy (organ failure: OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.60; 88 participants; 1 study; mean difference in costs: USD -11,922; P value < 0.05; 88 participants; 1 studies). There were more adverse events with video-assisted minimally invasive step-up approach group compared to endoscopic-assisted minimally invasive step-up approach group (rate ratio 11.70, 95% CI 1.52 to 89.87; 22 participants; 1 study), but the number of interventions per participant was less with video-assisted minimally invasive step-up approach group compared to endoscopic minimally invasive step-up approach group (difference in medians: 2 procedures; P value < 0.05; 20 participants; 1 study). The differences in any of the other comparisons for number of serious adverse events, proportion of people with organ failure, number of adverse events, length of hospital stay, and intensive therapy unit stay were either imprecise or were not consistent. None of the trials reported long-term mortality, infected pancreatic necrosis (trials that included participants with sterile necrosis), health-related quality of life at any time frame, proportion of people with adverse events, requirement for additional invasive intervention, time to return to normal activity, and time to return to work.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Low to very low quality evidence suggested that the minimally invasive step-up approach resulted in fewer adverse events, serious adverse events, less organ failure, and lower costs compared to open necrosectomy. Very low quality evidence suggested that the endoscopic minimally invasive step-up approach resulted in fewer adverse events than the video-assisted minimally invasive step-up approach but increased the number of procedures required for treatment. There is currently no evidence to suggest that early open necrosectomy is superior or inferior to peritoneal lavage or delayed open necrosectomy. However, the CIs were wide and significant benefits or harms of different treatments cannot be ruled out. The TENSION trial currently underway in Netherlands is assessing the optimal way to perform the minimally invasive step-up approach (endoscopic drainage followed by endoscopic necrosectomy if necessary versus percutaneous drainage followed by video-assisted necrosectomy if necessary) and is assessing important clinical outcomes of interest for this review. Implications for further research on this topic will be determined after the results of this RCT are available.

Step-up mini-invasive surgery for infected pancreatic necrosis: Results from prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the clinical efficacy and success predictors of mini-invasive techniques in the treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN).

METHODS

IPN patients admitted to our clinic for treatment by mini-invasive techniques were included in this study prospectively. Treatment was divided into four sequential phases: percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD), mini-incision drainage (MID), video assisted debridement (VAD) and open surgery. Patients progressed to next phase if the infection cannot be controlled. The frequency of surgery, treatment duration, cure rate, incidence of complication and overall mortality were recorded. Risk factors for failure of PCD and MID procedures were detected by logistic regression including demographics, disease severity and morphologic characteristics.

RESULTS

From January 2012 to March 2015, a total of 54 consecutive IPN patients were treated, with an average age of 51.2 ± 3.1 years. Of the 54 cases, 18 (33.3%) were cured after PCD; 13 (24.1%) with uncontrolled infection were cured after MID; and the remaining 19 cases (35.2%) were cured after VAD. No open surgery was performed. Overall mortality was 7.4% (4/54), and the incidence of complications was 12.9% (7/54). In multivariable regression, the following factors were associated with high failure rate for both PCD and MID: heterogeneous fluid collection (odds ratio (OR) = 3.14; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32 ～ 4.25, P = 0.001 for PCD; OR = 2.99; 95% CI: 1.52 ～ 5.10, P = 0.006 for MID), multiple infected collections (OR = 4.51; 95% CI: 2.94 ～ 8.63; P = 0.000 for PCD; OR = 4.17; 95% CI: 2.77 ～ 8.12, P = 0.000 for MID), CT severity index (0 ～ 3/4 ～ 6/7 ～ 10: OR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.83 ～ 3.62, P = 0.031 for PCD; OR = 2.72; 95% CI: 1.78 ～ 4.10, P = 0.005 for MID).

CONCLUSIONS

Step-up mini-invasive techniques can be considered a first choice in the treatment of IPN. CT is effective to predict success of PCD and MID.

Summary and recommendations from the Australasian guidelines for the management of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency

AIM

Because of increasing awareness of variations in the use of pancreatic exocrine replacement therapy, the Australasian Pancreatic Club decided it was timely to re-review the literature and create new Australasian guidelines for the management of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI).

METHODS

A working party of expert clinicians was convened and initially determined that by dividing the types of presentation into three categories for the likelihood of PEI (definite, possible and unlikely) they were able to consider the difficulties of diagnosing PEI and relate these to the value of treatment for each diagnostic category.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Recent studies confirm that patients with chronic pancreatitis receive similar benefit from pancreatic exocrine replacement therapy (PERT) to that established in children with cystic fibrosis. Severe acute pancreatitis is frequently followed by PEI and PERT should be considered for these patients because of their nutritional requirements. Evidence is also becoming stronger for the benefits of PERT in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. However there is as yet no clear guide to help identify those patients in the 'unlikely' PEI group who would benefit from PERT. For example, patients with coeliac disease, diabetes mellitus, irritable bowel syndrome and weight loss in the elderly may occasionally be given a trial of PERT, but determining its effectiveness will be difficult. The starting dose of PERT should be from 25,000-40,000 IU lipase taken with food. This may need to be titrated up and there may be a need for proton pump inhibitors in some patients to improve efficacy.

Laparoscopy-assisted open cystogastrostomy and pancreatic debridement for necrotizing pancreatitis (with video)

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic pseudocysts and walled-off necrosis are well-known complications, described in 10% of cases of acute pancreatitis. Open cystogastrostomy is usually proposed after failure of minimally invasive drainage or in the presence of septic shock. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopy-assisted open cystogastrostomy for treatment of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocyst with pancreatic necrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2011 and October 2014, all patients with pseudocyst and pancreatic necrosis undergoing open cystogastrostomy were included. Surgical procedure was standardized. The primary efficacy endpoint was the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopy-assisted open cystogastrostomy as treatment of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocyst. Secondary endpoints included demographic data, preoperative management, operative data, postoperative data and follow-up.

RESULTS

Laparoscopy-assisted open cystogastrostomy was performed in 11 patients [six men (54%)], with a median age of 61 years (45-84). Nine patients received preoperative radiological or endoscopic management. First-line open cystogastrostomy was performed in two cases. Median operating time was 190 min (110-240). There was one intraoperative complication related to injury of a branch of the superior mesenteric vein. There were no postoperative deaths and two postoperative complications (18%) including one major complication (postoperative bleeding). The median length of hospital stay after surgery was 16 days (7-35). The median follow-up was 10 months (2-45). One patient experienced recurrence during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Open cystogastrostomy for necrotizing pancreatitis promotes adequate internal drainage with few postoperative complications and a short length of hospital stay. However, this technique must be performed very cautiously due to the risk of vascular injury which can be difficult to repair in the context of severe local inflammation related to pancreatic necrosis.

Minimally invasive treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis

Infected pancreatic necrosis is a challenging complication that worsens prognosis in acute pancreatitis. For years, open necrosectomy has been the mainstay treatment option in infected pancreatic necrosis, although surgical debridement still results in high morbidity and mortality rates. Recently, many reports on minimally invasive treatment in infected pancreatic necrosis have been published. This paper presents a review of minimally invasive techniques and attempts to define their role in the management of infected pancreatic necrosis.

Validation of the determinant-based classification and revision of the Atlanta classification systems for acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Two new classification systems for the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) have been proposed, the determinant-based classification (DBC) and a revision of the Atlanta classification (RAC). Our aim was to validate and compare these classification systems.

METHODS

We analyzed data from adult patients with AP (543 episodes of AP in 459 patients) who were admitted to Hospital General Universitario de Alicante from December 2007 to February 2013. Imaging results were reviewed, and the classification systems were validated and compared in terms of outcomes.

RESULTS

Pancreatic necrosis was present in 66 of the patients (12%), peripancreatic necrosis in 109 (20%), walled-off necrosis in 61 (11%), acute peripancreatic fluid collections in 98 (18%), and pseudocysts in 19 (4%). Transient and persistent organ failures were present in 31 patients (6%) and 21 patients (4%), respectively. Sixteen patients (3%) died. On the basis of the DBC, 386 (71%), 131 (24%), 23 (4%), and 3 (0.6%) patients were determined to have mild, moderate, severe, or critical AP, respectively. On the basis of the RAC, 363 patients (67%), 160 patients (30%), and 20 patients (4%) were determined to have mild, moderately severe, or severe AP, respectively. The different categories of severity for each classification system were associated with statistically significant and clinically relevant differences in length of hospital stay, need for admission to the intensive care unit, nutritional support, invasive treatment, and in-hospital mortality. In comparing similar categories between the classification systems, no significant differences were found.

CONCLUSION

The DBC and the RAC accurately classify the severity of AP in subgroups of patients.

Effect of obesity and decompressive laparotomy on mortality in acute pancreatitis requiring intensive care unit admission

Background

Controversy still exists on the effect that obesity has on the morbidity and mortality in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The primary purpose of this study was to compare the mortality rate of obese versus nonobese patients admitted to the ICU for SAP. Secondary goals were to assess the potential risk factors for abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) and to investigate the performance of validated scoring systems to predict ACS and in-hospital mortality.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of adults admitted to the ICU for SAP was stratified by their body mass index (BMI) as obese and nonobese. The rates of morbidity, mortality, and ACS were compared by univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Areas under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the discriminating performance of severity scores and other selected variables to predict mortality and the risk of ACS.

Result

Forty-five patients satisfied the inclusion criteria and 24 (53 %) were obese with similar characteristics to nonobese patients. Among all the subjects, 11 (24 %) died and 16 (35 %) developed ACS. In-hospital mortality was significantly lower for obese patients (12.5 vs. 38 %; P = 0.046) even though they seemed to develop ACS more frequently (41 vs. 28 %; P = 0.533). At multivariable analysis, age was the most significant factor associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio (OR) = 1.273; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.052–1.541; P = 0.013) and APACHE II and Glasgow-Imrie for the development of ACS (OR = 1.143; 95 % CI 1.012–1.292; P = 0.032 and OR = 1.221; 95 % CI 1.000–1.493; P = 0.05) respectively. Good discrimination for in-hospital mortality was observed for patients’ age (AUC = 0.846) and number of comorbidities (AUC = 0.801). ACS was not adequately predicted by any of the clinical severity scores (AUC = 0.548–0.661).

Conclusions

Patients’ age was the most significant factor associated with mortality in patients affected by SAP. Higher APACHE II and Glasgow-Imrie scores were associated with the development of ACS, but their discrimination performance was unsatisfactory.

Management of infected pancreatic necrosis using retroperitoneal necrosectomy with flexible endoscope: 10 years of experience

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to provide our experience in the management of infected and drained pancreatic necrosis using the retroperitoneal approach.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study in a tertiary care university hospital. Thirty-two patients with confirmed infected pancreatic necrosis were studied. Superficial necrosectomy was performed with lavage and aspiration of debris. This was achieved though a retroperitoneal approach of the pancreatic area and under the direct vision of a flexible endoscope. The follow-up procedure using retroperitoneal endoscopy did not require taking the patient to the operating room. The main outcome measures were infection control, morbidity, and mortality related to technique, reintervention, and long-term follow-up.

RESULTS

No significant morbidity or mortality related to the technique was observed in all of the patients with infected pancreatic necrosis treated with this retroperitoneal approach compared with published data using other approaches. Reinterventions were not required and patients are currently asymptomatic.

CONCLUSIONS

Retroperitoneal access of the pancreatic area is a good approach for drainage and debridement of infected pancreatic necrosis. Translumbar retroperitoneal endoscopy allows exploration under direct visual guidance avoiding open transabdominal reintervention and the risk of contamination of the abdominal cavity. This technique does not increase morbidity and mortality, can be performed at the patients' bedside as many times as necessary, and has advantages over other retroperitoneal approaches.

A case of video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement in a patient with HELLP syndrome

Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome describes a cohort of disease processes that may have devastating consequences for the peripartum patient. Although the hemopoetic and hepatic systems are classically involved, we illustrate a case of walled-off pancreatic necrosis occurring in a woman with HELLP syndrome. Initially managed with resuscitation, steroids, and plasmapheresis, the patient developed necrotizing pancreatitis that overtime became walled-off. Despite attempts at percutaneous drainage, the patient ultimately had a video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement. As there are no descriptions in the literature of walled-off pancreatic necrosis stemming from HELLP syndrome, this case provides a new avenue from which to study the pathophysiology and provides a management strategy for this problem.

[Pancreatic necrosis: pro surgical therapy]

Currently, patients with severe necrotizing pancreatitis rarely need interventional or surgical treatment. However, in case of pancreatic infection and septic complications they should be treated with the step up approach, primarily with an interventional or endoscopic drainage. If further clinical deterioration occurs necrosectomy is indicated. This should ideally be postponed until the third or fourth week after onset of pancreatitis to optimize surgical conditions including demarcation of the necrosis. Open necrosectomy with postoperative continuous lavage is a valid treatment option with low mortality, low morbidity and good long-term outcome. In recent years, several minimally invasive techniques for necrosectomy have been developed and are alternative approaches in about 70% of cases. In most cases, the retroperitoneoscopic approach is used, although the endoscopic transgastric route is also being used more and more frequently. While the reduced operative trauma should theoretically also reduce the onset of postoperative organ failure, no study has actually proven this.

Percutaneous management of pancreatic abscesses: long term results in a single center

BACKGROUND

Several authors consider that surgical intervention is the gold standard for treatment of pancreatic abscesses. Recently, considerable interest has been generated in the minimally invasive management of pancreatic abscess with mixed results reported in the literature.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous aspiration and/or drainage for patients with pancreatic abscesses.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of 62 patients with 87 pancreatic abscesses treated by percutaneous management from 1989 to 2009. All patients received appropriate antibiotic therapy. Patients with pancreatic abscess <50mm in diameter were initially treated by ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle aspiration (PNA) and those with abscess ≥50mm were initially treated by ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD). Surgery was planned only when there was no clinical improvement after the initial percutaneous treatment. Primary outcome was conversion rate to surgery.

RESULTS

Two patients (3.2%) received supportive treatment only and one of them died. PNA was performed in 16 patients (25.8%), and 8 of them required PCD because of recurrence of abscess. In 44 patients (70.1%), PCD was performed initially. PCD was performed twice in 6 patients and 3 times in 2 patients. There were 5 patients converted to surgery (8.1%) and one of them died. Medians (interquartile ranges) of hospital stay and catheter dwell-time were 17 (12-26) and 12 (9-21) days, respectively. There were no complications related to the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous aspiration and/or drainage are effective and safe for the treatment of pancreatic abscesses.

Severe acute pancreatitis: advances and insights in assessment of severity and management

The patients with acute pancreatitis are at risk to develop different complications from ongoing pancreatic inflammation. Often, there is no correlation between the degree of structural damage to pancreas and clinical manifestation of the disease. The effectiveness of any treatment is related to the ability to predict severity accurately, but there is no ideal predictive system or biochemical marker. Severity assessment is indispensable to the selection of proper initial treatment in the management of acute pancreatitis. The use of multiparametric criteria and the evaluation of severity index permit us to select high-risk patients. Furthermore, contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scanning and contrast-enhanced MRI play an important role in severity assessment. The adoption of multiparametric criteria proposed together with morphological evaluation consents the formulation of a discreetly reliable prognosis on the evolution of the disease a few days from onset.

Step-up approach to infected necrotising pancreatitis: a 20-year experience of percutaneous drainage in a single centre

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of step-up approach to infected necrotising pancreatitis.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 86 patients treated by step-up approach from 1989 to 2009. Infection was confirmed by examination of aspirated material or by presence of free pancreatic gas at contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Conservative treatment was initially attempted in all patients; percutaneous catheter drainage was performed when conservative therapy failed; surgery was planned only if no clinical improvement was observed. Primary outcome was mortality.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients (17.4%) were successfully treated with conservative treatment only. Percutaneous catheter drainage was performed in 69 (80.2%). Eight patients (9.3%) died, two at week 1 without drainage or surgery and six after percutaneous catheter drainage and surgery. Eleven patients were converted to surgery (12.8%). Organ failure occurred in 59/86 (68.6%) and multiorgan failure in 25/86 (29.1%). Median (interquartile ranges) hospital stay and catheter dwell times were 13 (9-47) and 15 (7-34) days, respectively. There were 2.61 catheter problems and 1.68 catheter changes per patient.

CONCLUSIONS

The step-up approach is an effective and safe strategy for the treatment of infected necrotising pancreatitis. Percutaneous drainage can avert the need for surgery in the majority of patients.

Open transgastric debridement and internal drainage of symptomatic non-infected walled-off pancreatic necrosis

BACKGROUND

The best treatment options for walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) are not well defined. A retrospective study of patients treated for WOPN with transgastric debridement and internal drainage was undertaken.

METHODS

Patients with symptomatic non-infected WOPN treated with open transgastric debridement and internal drainage were evaluated.

RESULTS

In all, 51 patients underwent surgical management of necrotizing pancreatitis during the study period. Ten patients (19%) were treated with open transgastric debridement and internal drainage for symptomatic non-infected WOPN. The median patient age was 40 years, the most common aetiology for pancreatitis was biliary, the mean American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score was 2 and the delay to surgery was 100 days. The operating time was 118 min, with a blood loss of 50cc. One patient required reoperation, three patients had morbidity and there were no mortalities. The only factor associated with post-operative morbidity was the presence of positive cultures (P < 0.05). The length of stay (LOS) after surgery was 8 days, at a median follow-up of 18 months, one patient had late complications related to the surgery and the procedure was successful in 90% of the patients.

DISCUSSION

Open transgastric debridement with internal drainage of WOPN is safe and efficacious. Patients were clinically stable (no organ failure) and had a long delay in surgical intervention (100 days). In this select group of patients, the success, morbidity and mortality is similar to all reported minimally invasive techniques.

Minimal access retroperitoneal pancreatic necrosectomy: improvement in morbidity and mortality with a less invasive approach

OBJECTIVE

Comparison of minimal access retroperitoneal pancreatic necrosectomy (MARPN) versus open necrosectomy in the treatment of infected or nonresolving pancreatic necrosis.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Infected pancreatic necrosis may lead to progressive organ failure and death. Minimal access techniques have been developed in an attempt to reduce the high mortality of open necrosectomy.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis on a prospective data base comprising 189 consecutive patients undergoing MARPN or open necrosectomy (August 1997 to September 2008). Outcome measures included total and postoperative ICU and hospital stays, organ dysfunction, complications and mortality using an intention to treat analysis.

RESULTS

Overall 137 patients underwent MARPN versus open necrosectomy in 52. Median (range) age of the patients was 57.5 (18-85) years; 118 (62%) were male. A total of 131 (69%) patients were tertiary referrals, with a median time to transfer from index hospital of 19 (2-76) days. Etiology was gallstones or alcohol in 129 cases (68%); 98 of 168 (58%) patients had a positive culture at the first procedure. Of the 137 patients, 34 (31%) had postoperative organ failure in the MARPN group, and 39 of 52 (56%) in the open group (P<0.0001); 59/137 (43%) versus 40/52 (77%), respectively, required postoperative ICU support (P<0.0001). Of the 137 patients 75 (55%) had complications in the MARPN group and 42 of 52 (81%) in the open group (P=0.001). There were 26 (19%) deaths in the MARPN group and 20 (38%) following open procedure (P=0.009). Age (P<0.0001), preoperative multiorgan failure (P<0.0001), and surgical procedure (MARPN, P=0.016) were independent predictors of mortality.

CONCLUSION

This study has shown significant benefits for a minimal access approach including fewer complications and deaths compared with open necrosectomy.

Walled-off pancreatic necrosis

Walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN), formerly known as pancreatic abscess is a late complication of acute pancreatitis. It can be lethal, even though it is rare. This critical review provides an overview of the continually expanding knowledge about WOPN, by review of current data from references identified in Medline and PubMed, to September 2009, using key words, such as WOPN, infected pseudocyst, severe pancreatitis, pancreatic abscess, acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP), pancreas, inflammation and alcoholism. WOPN comprises a later and local complication of ANP, occurring more than 4 wk after the initial attack, usually following development of pseudocysts and other pancreatic fluid collections. The mortality rate associated with WOPN is generally less than that of infected pancreatic necrosis. Surgical intervention had been the mainstay of treatment for infected peripancreatic fluid collection and abscesses for decades. Increasingly, percutaneous catheter drainage and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography have been used, and encouraging results have recently been reported in the medical literature, rendering these techniques invaluable in the treatment of WOPN. Applying the recommended therapeutic strategy, which comprises early treatment with antibiotics combined with restricted surgical intervention, fewer patients with ANP undergo surgery and interventions are ideally performed later in the course of the disease, when necrosis has become well demarcated.

Laparostomy: why and when?

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Yearbook of Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2010 (Springer Verlag) and co-published as a series in Critical Care. Other articles in the series can be found online at http://ccforum.com/series/yearbook. Further information about the Yearbook of Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from http://www.springer.com/series/2855.

Dual access endoscopic necrosectomy of infected pancreatic necrosis: a case report

A 73-year-old male developed fever and jaundice 6 months after an episode of acute necrotizing pancreatitis. During endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, a distal bile duct compression was documented and stent insertion led to resolution of jaundice, however, the febrile condition persisted. A pancreatic necrosis measuring 11x7 cm was shown by computed tomography (CT) and the patient was referred for necrosectomy. During the first endoscopic session, spontaneous drainage of pus was observed in the duodenal bulb. Therefore, the pancreatic necrosis was first punctured under endoscopic ultrasound-guidance transduodenally. The pancreatic necrosis was then additionally punctured transgastrically and the necrotic cavity was entered with a standard upper gastrointestinal scope. Despite extensive irrigation and necrosectomy we felt the transgastric approach was not sufficient enough to treat the large necrotic cavity and decided to perform the further treatment by using both accesses. Endoscopic debridement was repeated daily through the transgastric as well as the transduodenal approach over 5 days. The clinical condition of the patient dramatically improved and he became afebrile. Two months after the initial endoscopic necrosectomy, a CT scan showed nearly complete resolution of the pancreatic necrosis and the bile duct stenosis resolved. Six months later, CT scans showed no residual necrosis and an atrophic but otherwise normal pancreas.

Infected necrosis in severe pancreatitis--combined nonsurgical multi-drainage with directed transabdominal high-volume lavage in critically ill patients

BACKGROUND

Infection of pancreatic necrosis is a life-threatening complication during the course of acute pancreatitis. In critically ill patients, surgical or extended endoscopic interventions are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Minimally invasive procedures on the other hand are often insufficient in patients suffering from large necrotic areas containing solid or purulent material. We present a strategy combining percutaneous and transgastric drainage with continuous high-volume lavage for treatment of extended necroses and liquid collections in a series of patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seven consecutive patients with severe acute pancreatitis and large confluent infected pancreatic necrosis were enrolled. In all cases, the first therapeutic procedure was placement of a CT-guided drainage catheter into the fluid collection surrounding peripancreatic necrosis. Thereafter, a second endosonographically guided drainage was inserted via the gastric or the duodenal wall. After communication between the separate drains had been proven, an external to internal directed high-volume lavage with a daily volume of 500 ml up to 2,000 ml was started.

RESULTS

In all patients, pancreatic necrosis/liquid collections could be resolved completely by the presented regime. No patient died in the course of our study. After initiation of the directed high-volume lavage, there was a significant clinical improvement in all patients. Double drainage was performed for a median of 101 days, high-volume lavage for a median of 41 days. Several endoscopic interventions for stent replacement were required (median 8). Complications such as bleeding or perforation could be managed endoscopically, and no subsequent surgical therapy was necessary. All patients could be dismissed from the hospital after a median duration of 78 days.

CONCLUSION

This approach of combined percutaneous/endoscopic drainage with high-volume lavage shows promising results in critically ill patients with extended infected pancreatic necrosis and high risk of surgical intervention. Neither surgical nor endoscopic necrosectomy was necessary in any of our patients.

Minimally invasive management of pancreatic abscess, pseudocyst, and necrosis: a systematic review of current guidelines

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive techniques have been used to manage infected pancreatic necrosis and its local complications, although there are no randomised trials to evaluate these techniques. The aims of this study were to review the scope and quality of recommendations in current clinical practice guidelines on the role of percutaneous catheter drainage and endoscopic techniques for pancreatic abscess, pseudocyst, and infected pancreatic necrosis and identify the degree of consensus between guidelines.

METHODS

A MEDLINE search was performed to identify current guidelines from any professional body published in the English language. Guidelines were analysed to determine their specific recommendations for using percutaneous catheter drainage and endoscopic techniques to manage pancreatic abscess, infected pseudocyst, and infected pancreatic necrosis.

RESULTS

Sixteen guidelines were reviewed. Percutaneous catheter drainage for pancreatic abscess was recommended by eight guidelines; for infected pseudocysts, one guideline did not recommend its use and six recommended its use; for infected necrosis, two guidelines did not recommend its use and four recommended its use. Endoscopic management of both pancreatic abscess and infected pseudocyst was recommended by seven guidelines; for infected necrosis, endoscopic management was recommended by ten guidelines. Ten guidelines did not include levels of evidence to support their recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

Guidelines lacked consensus in their recommendations for minimally invasive management of pancreatic abscess, infected pseudocyst, and infected necrosis, and few recommendations were graded according to the strength of the evidence. More prospective trials are needed to provide evidence where it is lacking, which should be incorporated into clinical practice guidelines.

Percutaneous necrosectomy in patients with acute, necrotizing pancreatitis

The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis treated by active percutaneous necrosectomy. By searching the radiological, surgical and internal medicine databases, all patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis treated by active percutaneous necrosectomy between 1992 and 2004 were identified. Demographic, laboratory, and clinical data, and details about invasive procedures were collected by reviewing patient charts, radiological and surgical reports. The computed tomography severity index (CTSI) scores were determined by reviewing CT images. Eighteen patients were identified. Median Ranson score on admission was 2. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score was median 22. Median CTSI score was 7. Initially all patients were treated with CT-guided drainage placement. Because passive drainage proved not to be effective, subsequent minimally invasive, percutaneous necrosectomy was performed. Eight out of 18 patients recovered fully without the need for surgery. Ten of 18 patients required additional surgical necrosectomy. For one of ten patients, percutaneous necrosectomy allowed postponing surgery by 39 days. Four of ten surgically treated patients died: three from septic multiorgan failure, one from pulmonary embolism. Percutaneous minimally invasive necrosectomy can be regarded as a safe and effective complementary treatment modality in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis. It is suitable for a subset of patients to avoid or delay surgery.

Debridement and closed packing for sterile or infected necrotizing pancreatitis: insights into indications and outcomes in 167 patients

OBJECTIVE

To examine the surgical indications and clinical outcomes of a large cohort of patients with necrotizing pancreatitis.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Mortality after debridement for necrotizing pancreatitis continues to be inordinately high. The clinical experience with patients who underwent uniform surgical treatment for necrotizing pancreatitis at the Massachusetts General Hospital over a 15-year period is described.

METHODS

Retrospective review of 167 patients with necrotizing pancreatitis who required intervention and were treated with single stage debridement and a closed packing technique. Particular emphasis was placed on the indication for surgery and the presence of infected necrosis. Multiple logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of mortality.

RESULTS

The primary preoperative indication for operation was infected necrosis (51%), but intraoperative cultures proved that 72% of the entire cohort was infected. The rate of reoperation was 12.6%, and 29.9% of patients required percutaneous interventional radiology drainage after initial debridement. Overall operative mortality was 11.4% (19/167), but higher in patients who were operated upon before 28 days (20.3% vs. 5.1%, P = 0.002). Other important predictors of mortality included organ failure > or =3 (OR = 2.4, P = 0.001), postoperative intensive care unit stay > or =6 days (OR = 15.9, P = 0.001), and female gender (OR = 5.41, P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Open, transperitoneal debridement followed by closed packing and drainage results in the lowest reported mortality and reoperation rates, and provides a standard for comparing other methods of treatment. A negative FNA does not reliably rule out infection. The clinical status of the patients and not proof of infection should determine the need for debridement.

Minimally invasive necrosectomy for infected necrotizing pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

Infected necrotizing pancreatitis represents a serious and therapeutically challenging complication. Percutaneous drainage of infected pancreatic necrosis is often unsuccessful. Alternatively, open necrosectomies are associated with high morbidity. Recently, minimally invasive necrosectomy techniques have been tried with satisfying results; however, they frequently necessitate multiple sessions for definitive necrosectomy. To evaluate results of single large-port laparoscopic necrosectomy for proven infected necrotizing pancreatitis.

METHODS

Eight patients presenting proven infected pancreatic necrosis during course of acute pancreatitis and not responding to radiological drainage were prospectively offered minimally invasive necrosectomy. Laparoscopic necrosectomy were performed using a single large port placed along the drain tract directly into the infected necrosis. In all patients, drainage was placed during laparoscopic necrosectomy for continuous postoperative lavage.

RESULTS

No perioperative complications were recorded with a median operative time of 87 +/- 42 minutes. No blood transfusions were needed. No surgical postoperative morbidity and mortality were recorded. In all cases, except for one patient with multiple abscesses, only one session of necrosectomy was sufficient to completely clear the necrotic abscess. Laparoscopic necrosectomy was successful in all patients, and none required complementary surgical or radiological treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive necrosectomy has been safe and highly efficient through single large-port laparoscopy for infected pancreatic necrosis in our series of patients. Minimally invasive necrosectomy is a promising technique for infected necrotizing pancreatitis and should be regarded as a valid therapeutic option for necrotizing pancreatitis.

Taurocholate-induced pancreatitis: a model of severe necrotizing pancreatitis in mice

OBJECTIVES

The outcome from acute pancreatitis depends on the severity of systemic complications. To be able to investigate mechanisms underlying the development of these systemic complications in acute pancreatitis in both wild-type and genetically engineered animal models, a mouse model of severe necrotizing pancreatitis was developed and characterized.

METHODS

Pancreatitis was induced by retrograde infusion of sodium taurocholate into the common bile duct in mice. After determining the optimum volume and concentration of taurocholate, the pancreatic damage and systemic inflammatory response were compared with those in cerulein-induced pancreatitis.

RESULTS

Pancreatic damage was higher in taurocholate pancreatitis than hyperstimulation-induced pancreatitis (24 hours: cerulein, 5.8 +/- 0.2 points; taurocholate, 14.8 +/- 0.8 points; P < 0.001) and mortality reached up to 60% within the first 24 hours after taurocholate administration. Pulmonary damage was detected, as measured by an increase in albumin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid only in taurocholate-induced pancreatitis (12 hours: cerulein, 97.1 +/- 22.83 mg/g of protein; taurocholate, 234.0 +/- 32.7 mg/g of protein; P < 0.001). Furthermore, plasma interleukin 6 concentration was significantly elevated in mice with taurocholate-induced pancreatitis (12 hours: cerulein, 2.6 +/- 6.1 pg/mL; taurocholate, 2168.8 +/- 941.7 microg/mL; P < 0.001) as compared with all other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Taurocholate pancreatitis is a reliable model for severe necrotizing pancreatitis in mice with significantly greater pancreatic damage and systemic inflammatory response in comparison with cerulein-induced pancreatitis.

Outcome of patients with acute, necrotizing pancreatitis requiring drainage-does drainage size matter?

AIM: To assess the outcome of patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis treated by percutaneous drainage with special focus on the influence of drainage size and number.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 80 patients with acute pancreatitis requiring percutaneous drainage therapy for infected necroses. Endpoints were mortality and length of hospital stay. The influence of drainage characteristics such as the median drainage size, the largest drainage size per patient and the total drainage plane per patient on patient outcome was evaluated.

RESULTS: Total hospital survival was 66%. Thirty-four patients out of all 80 patients (43%) survived acute necrotizing pancreatitis with percutaneous drainage therapy only. Eighteen patients out of all 80 patients needed additional percutaneous necrosectomy (23%). Ten out of these patients required surgical necrosectomy in addition, 6 patients received open necrosectomy without prior percutaneous necrosectomy. Elective surgery was performed in 3 patients receiving cholecystectomy and one patient receiving resection of the parathyroid gland. The number of drainages ranged from one to fourteen per patient. The drainage diameter ranged from 8 French catheters to 24 French catheters. The median drainage size as well as the largest drainage size used per patient and the total drainage area used per patient did not show statistically significant influence on mortality.

CONCLUSION: Percutaneous drainage therapy is an effective tool for treatment of necrotizing pancreatitis. Large bore drainages did not prove to be more effective in controlling the septic focus.

Severe acute pancreatitis: Clinical course and management

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) develops in about 25% of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). Severity of AP is linked to the presence of systemic organ dysfunctions and/or necrotizing pancreatitis pathomorphologically. Risk factors determining independently the outcome of SAP are early multi-organ failure, infection of necrosis and extended necrosis (>50%). Up to one third of patients with necrotizing pancreatitis develop in the late course infection of necroses. Morbidity of SAP is biphasic, in the first week strongly related to early and persistence of organ or multi-organ dysfunction. Clinical sepsis caused by infected necrosis leading to multi-organ failure syndrome (MOFS) occurs in the later course after the first week. To predict sepsis, MOFS or deaths in the first 48-72 h, the highest predictive accuracy has been objectified for procalcitonin and IL-8; the Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)-score predicts the outcome in the first 48 h, and provides a daily assessment of treatment response with a high positive predictive value. Contrast-enhanced CT provides the highest diagnostic accuracy for necrotizing pancreatitis when performed after the first week of disease. Patients who suffer early organ dysfunctions or at risk of developing a severe disease require early intensive care treatment. Early vigorous intravenous fluid replacement is of foremost importance. The goal is to decrease the hematocrit or restore normal cardiocirculatory functions. Antibiotic prophylaxis has not been shown as an effective preventive treatment. Early enteral feeding is based on a high level of evidence, resulting in a reduction of local and systemic infection. Patients suffering infected necrosis causing clinical sepsis, pancreatic abscess or surgical acute abdomen are candidates for early intervention. Hospital mortality of SAP after interventional or surgical debridement has decreased in high volume centers to below 20%.

Severe acute pancreatitis: Clinical course and management

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) develops in about 25% of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). Severity of AP is linked to the presence of systemic organ dysfunctions and/or necrotizing pancreatitis pathomorphologically. Risk factors determining independently the outcome of SAP are early multi-organ failure, infection of necrosis and extended necrosis (> 50%). Up to one third of patients with necrotizing pancreatitis develop in the late course infection of necroses. Morbidity of SAP is biphasic, in the first week strongly related to early and persistence of organ or multi-organ dysfunction. Clinical sepsis caused by infected necrosis leading to multi-organ failure syndrome (MOFS) occurs in the later course after the first week. To predict sepsis, MOFS or deaths in the first 48-72 h, the highest predictive accuracy has been objectified for procalcitonin and IL-8; the Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)-score predicts the outcome in the first 48 h, and provides a daily assessment of treatment response with a high positive predictive value. Contrast-enhanced CT provides the highest diagnostic accuracy for necrotizing pancreatitis when performed after the first week of disease. Patients who suffer early organ dysfunctions or at risk of developing a severe disease require early intensive care treatment. Early vigorous intravenous fluid replacement is of foremost importance. The goal is to decrease the hematocrit or restore normal cardiocirculatory functions. Antibiotic prophylaxis has not been shown as an effective preventive treatment. Early enteral feeding is based on a high level of evidence, resulting in a reduction of local and systemic infection. Patients suffering infected necrosis causing clinical sepsis, pancreatic abscess or surgical acute abdomen are candidates for early intervention. Hospital mortality of SAP after interventional or surgical debridement has decreased in high volume centers to below 20%.

New advances in pancreatic surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

New understanding of the dynamic of acute pancreatitis, the clinical impact of local pathology in chronic pancreatitis and cystic neoplastic lesions bearing high potential for malignant transformation has changed the management of pancreatic diseases.

RECENT FINDINGS

In acute pancreatitis, risk factors independently determining outcome in severe acute pancreatitis are early and persistent multiorgan failure, infected necrosis and extended sterile necrosis. The management of severe acute pancreatitis is based on early intensive-care treatment and late surgical debridement. In chronic pancreatitis, recent data from randomized controlled clinical trials have demonstrated duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection with an inflammatory mass of the head as superior to pylorus-preserving Whipple resection. Cystic neoplasms are local lesions of the pancreas with high malignant potential. Local organ-preserving resection techniques have been applied with low morbidity and mortality, replacing a Whipple-type resection. Resection of pancreatic cancer is ineffective to cure patients. After an R0-resection, a significant survival benefit has been achieved when adjuvant chemotherapy has additionally been applied.

SUMMARY

New knowledge about the nature of inflammatory diseases, cystic neoplastic lesions and malignant pancreatic tumours has changed the indication for surgical treatment and the application of organ-preserving surgical techniques.

Peroral endoscopic drainage/debridement of walled-off pancreatic necrosis

BACKGROUND

Experience with minimal access, transoral/transmural endoscopic drainage/debridement of walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) after necrotizing pancreatitis is limited. We sought to determine outcome using this technique.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis.

RESULTS

From 1998 to 2006, 53 patients underwent transoral/transmural endoscopic drainage/debridement of sterile (27, 51%) and infected (26, 49%) WOPN. Intervention was performed a median of 49 days (range, 20-300 days) after onset of acute necrotizing pancreatitis. A median of 3 endoscopic procedures/patient (range, 1-12) were performed. Twenty-one patients (40%) required concurrent radiologic-guided catheter drainage of associated or subsequent areas of peripancreatic fluid and/or WOPN. Twelve patients (23%) required open operative intervention a median of 47 days (range, 5-540) after initial endoscopic drainage/debridement, due to persistence of WOPN (n = 3), recurrence of a fluid collection (n = 2), cutaneous fistula formation (n = 2), or technical failure, persistence of pancreatic pain, colonic obstruction, perforation, and flank abscess (n = 1 each). Final outcome after initial endoscopic intervention (median, 178 days) revealed successful endoscopic therapy in 43 (81%) and persistence of WOPN in 10 (19%). Preexistent diabetes mellitus, size of WOPN, and extension of WOPN into paracolic gutter were significant predictive factors for need of subsequent open operative therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Successful resolution of symptomatic, sterile, and infected WOPN can be achieved using a minimal access endoscopic approach. Adjuvant percutaneous drainage is necessary in up to 40% of patients, especially when WOPN extends to paracolic gutters or pelvis. Operative intervention for failed endoscopic treatment is required in about 20% of patients.