Outcomes of Infected versus Symptomatic Sterile Walled-Off Pancreatic Necrosis Treated with a Minimally Invasive Therapy

The 1st i-EUS consensus on the management of pancreatic fluid collections - Part 2

Pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs), including pancreatic pseudocysts (PPs) and walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WON), are common complications of pancreatitis and pancreatic surgery. Historically, the treatment of these conditions has relied on surgical and radiological approaches. The treatment of patients with PFCs has already focused toward an endoscopy-based approach, and with the development of dedicated lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS), it has almost totally shifted towards interventional Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)-guided procedures. However, there is still limited consensus on several aspects of PFCs treatment within the multidisciplinary management. The interventional endoscopy and ultrasound (i-EUS) group is an Italian network of clinicians and scientists with special interest in biliopancreatic interventional endoscopy, especially interventional EUS. This manuscript focuses on the second part of the results of a consensus conference organized by i-EUS, with the aim of providing evidence-based guidance on several intra- and post-procedural aspects of PFCs drainage, such as clinical management and follow-up.

When to Intervene in Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis: A Narrative Review of the Optimal Timing for Intervention Strategies

Introduction: Acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) is the acute inflammation of pancreatic parenchyma, most commonly due to alcohol abuse or cholelithiasis. The treatment can be either conservative or invasive, including a variety of techniques; however, it has not yet been established if the intervention should be early or if it should be delayed. The aim of this review is to investigate the optimal time for intervention in ANP. Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus from inception until September 2024 for studies reporting the comparison between early and late intervention. Results: Early intervention, within 4 weeks of symptom onset, often involves drainage via percutaneous, endoscopic, or combined methods. Delayed intervention occurs after 4 weeks of symptom onset. This can be conducted either surgically or via minimally invasive means. The results of this review reveal that the time of intervention for ANP plays an important role in the prognosis and the course of the disease. In particular, early intervention is associated with higher mortality, which is also the primary clinical outcome. Delayed intervention is also superior regarding secondary clinical outcomes, specifically the complications associated with the intervention. Thus, it is accompanied by fewer episodes of new-onset organ failure, bleeding, gastrointestinal fistula, pancreatic fistula, wound infection, endocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and other complications. Finally, delayed intervention results in shorter stays, both in hospitals and the ICU. Conclusions: Delayed intervention is clearly more effective than early intervention and should be preferred. However, early intervention appears to be both safe and effective, and it is feasible.

The Experience of a Tertiary Referral Center with Endoscopic Management and Combining Percutaneous Intervention for the Treatment of Walled-Off Necrosis: A Stepwise Approach

Background: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic management in patients with walled-off necrosis and additionally explore the results of a stepwise approach for combining percutaneous intervention in cases where endoscopic management was inadequate. Methods: We included cases of endoscopic management for walled-off necrosis between February 2019 and December 2023. Results: Endoscopic management was performed in 11 patients. The median largest dimension was 150 mm. Multiple cavities were present in four patients. Technical success was 90.9%, while clinical success with only endoscopic management was 36.3%. Clinical success could not be achieved with only endoscopic management in patients with a large diameter (≥125 mm) or multi-lobulated walled-off necrosis. Combining percutaneous intervention resulted in success for all patients. Two patients experienced major complications: one suffered from major bleeding, while the other experienced perforation, necessitating surgical intervention. The patient with perforation died due to multi-organ failure. Conclusions: Endoscopic management is recommended as the primary treatment method for walled-off necrosis due to its less invasive and higher safety profile. In cases involving large or multi-lobulated walled-off necrosis where clinical success cannot be achieved, combining percutaneous intervention is highly successful and safe. Ultimately, this approach can minimize the need for more invasive surgery.

Controversies in endoscopic ultrasonography-guided management of walled-off necrosis

Walled-off necrosis (WON) develops as local complications after acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Although less invasive interventions such as endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided drainage and endoscopic necrosectomy are selected over surgical interventions, delayed and step-up interventions are still preferred to avoid procedure-related adverse events. However, there is a controversy about the appropriate timing of drainage and subsequent necrosectomy. The advent of large-caliber lumen-apposing metal stents has also brought about potential advantages of proactive interventions, which still needs investigation in future trials. When step-up interventions of necrosectomy and additional drainage are necessary, a structured or protocoled approach for WON has been reported to improve safety and effectiveness of endoscopic and/or percutaneous treatment, but has not been standardized yet. Finally, long-term outcomes such as recurrence of WON, pancreatic endocrine, and exocrine function are increasingly investigated in association with disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome. In this review we discuss current evidence and controversy on EUS-guided management of WON.

Pancreatitis sepsis: Evolution and principles in the management of necrotizing pancreatitis

Outcomes from some recent clinical trials have helped to improve the management of necrotizing pancreatitis over the last 2 decades. The location of the retroperitoneal collection, previous gastric surgery, patient preference, and medical expertise dictates a minimally invasive surgical step-up versus endoscopic approach. Endoscopic drainage is facilitated by either a plastic or metallic stent. Direct endoscopic necrosectomy is performed for lack of improvement after endoscopic drainage. The surgical approach is accomplished by minimally invasive surgery with either video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement or laparoscopic drainage. A multidisciplinary team with appropriate expertise should care for patients with necrotizing pancreatitis. This brief review summarizes the landmark clinical trials, compares the benefits and roles of endoscopic, surgical, and percutaneous interventions, and discusses treatment algorithms for necrotizing pancreatitis in the modern era.

Clinical outcomes following endoscopic or video-assisted retroperitoneal management of acute pancreatitis with large (>15 cm) walled-off pancreatic necrosis: Retrospective, single tertiary center cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Acute pancreatitis with walled-off necrosis (WON) is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have evaluated outcomes in WON collections of limited size, while data about large WON with long-term follow-up are lacking. We aimed to report our experience in managing large WON.

METHODS

Between 2010 and 2020, consecutive patients with large (>15 cm) WON were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Patients with chronic pancreatitis or an index intervention 90 days or more from the debut of symptoms were excluded. We registered clinical and technical outcomes following minimally invasive treatment in WON >15 cm. Follow-up was a minimum of 1 year.

RESULTS

Overall, 144 patients with WON >15 cm, with a median age of 60 (interquartile range [IQR] 49-69) years, were included. The median WON size was 19.2 cm (IQR 16.8-22.1). Most patients were treated with endoscopic transluminal drainage (93%). The median length of stay was 53 days (IQR 39-76) and 61 (42%) patients needed intensive care support during their hospital stay. As 143 patients (99%) were managed using endoscopic or video-assisted retroperitoneal techniques, only one (0.7%) patient needed an open necrosectomy. Procedure-related adverse events occurred in 10 (7%) patients. Overall, 24 patients (17%) died during admission, all due to multiorgan failure. The median follow-up was 35 months (IQR 15-63.5). Complete resolution was achieved in all remaining patients.

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive treatment of large WON is feasible, with a minimal need for surgery and acceptable rates of morbidity and mortality.

Management of Necrotizing Pancreatitis

Necrotizing pancreatitis affects 10% to 15% of all patients with acute pancreatitis. Despite improved understanding of this complex disease, it is still attended by up to 15% mortality. Necrotizing pancreatitis provides the clinical challenges of working in a multi-disciplinary group, determining proper timing for intervention, and identifying appropriate intervention approaches. The step-up approach consists of supportive care initially. When there is documented infected necrosis, treatment begins with antibiotics, progressing to minimally invasive mechanical necrosis intervention, and reserving surgery as the final treatment modality. However, treatment must be tailored to the individual patient. This article provides an overview of necrotizing pancreatitis.

Outcomes of Endoscopic Management of Sterile Walled-Off Pancreatic Necrosis: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to systematically review outcomes related to treatment success, mortality, and adverse events of endoscopic management in patients with sterile walled-off pancreatic necrosis.

METHODS

We reviewed studies published from 2008 to 2018 from Medline and Embase that evaluated the endoscopic treatment of necrotizing pancreatitis. The primary outcome was success of treatment in resolving the collection. Secondary outcomes included length of hospitalization, mortality rate, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Five studies were included, which entailed a total of 280 patients with a mean age of 51.8 years. The primary indication for endoscopic treatment was symptomatic walled-off pancreatic necrosis. Four studies used endoscopic transmural drainage, one of them combining percutaneous drainage and 1 study performed transpapillary drainage. The pooled treatment success was 94.3% with a mean time to resolution of 77.8 days. The mean length of stay was 16.3 days, and mortality rate was 1.3%. The overall adverse event rate was 24.6%, with bleeding the most common adverse event (11%), followed by pancreatic fistula formation (3.4%) and perforation (2.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Although endoscopic management of sterile pancreatic necrosis has a high rate of treatment success, there is a relatively high rate of adverse events, bleeding being the most common.

Development and validation of a computed tomography index for assessing outcomes in patients with acute pancreatitis: "SMART-CT" index

PURPOSE

The existing CT indices do not allow quantitative prediction of clinical outcomes in acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of this study was to develop and validate a revised CT index using a nomogram-based approach.

METHODS

This retrospective study comprised consecutive patients with AP who underwent contrast-enhanced CT between June 2017 and March 2019. 123 CT scans were randomly divided into training (n = 103) and validation groups (n = 20). Two radiologists analyzed CT scans for findings described in modified CT severity index and additional exploratory items (13 items). Seven items (pancreatic necrosis, number of collections, size of collections, ascites, pleural effusion, celiac artery involvement, and liver steatosis) found to be statistically significant were used for development of index. Synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) was employed to balance representation of minority classes and hence this index was named "SMOTE Application for Reading CT in AcuTe Pancreatitis (SMART-CT index)". Binomial logistic regression was used for development of prediction algorithm. Nomograms were then created and validated for each outcome.

RESULTS

The new CT index had area under the curve (AUC) of 0.79 [95% CI 0.65-0.93], 0.66 (95% CI 0.54-0.77), 0.75 (95% CI 0.65-0.85), 0.83 (95% CI 0.69-0.96), 0.70 (95% CI 0.60-0.81), and 0.64 (95% CI 0.53-0.75) for mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, length of hospitalization, length of ICU stay, number of admissions, and severity, respectively. The AUC of validation cohort was comparable to the training cohort.

CONCLUSION

The novel nomogram-based index predicts occurrence of clinical outcome with moderate accuracy.

Outcome of patients with acute severe necrotizing pancreatitis in a dedicated hepato-biliary unit of Pakistan

Objective:

To analyze the management of severe necrotizing pancreatitis in a specialized center of a lower middle-income country, Pakistan using multiple outcome measures.

Methods:

All the patients in this prospective observational study with severe necrotizing pancreatitis being referred to Pak Emirates Military Hospital from January 2017 to December 2019 were followed over the course of their admission. Demographic data and disease outcomes were duly noted. Cox regression analysis was used to predict fatality outcome.

Results:

A total of 57 patients with 48 (84.6%) infected necrotizing pancreatitis were managed in our set up. The most common etiology reported was gall-stones (37%) with male preponderance (72%) and a mean age of 50±11.3 years. The most common complications were acute-kidney-injury (63%), splenic-vein-thrombosis (21%) and ascites (21%). Fourteen patients required mechanical-ventilation with a mean duration of 7±1.4 days on respiratory support. Eight (14%) patients required Endoscopic-Ultra-Sound guided drainage and six (10.5%) underwent surgical-necrosectomy depending upon the patients’ condition and collections characteristics. Mortality, as one of the main outcome measures, was reported to be 12.3% and was statistically related to mechanical-ventilation, organ failure and surgical-necrosectomy while 22 (38.6%) patients were discharged on pancreatic enzymes supplements and 7% required insulin.

Conclusion:

Survival outcomes with acute severe necrotizing pancreatitis are improving in a dedicated hepato-biliary unit internationally in lieu with a multidisciplinary team approach. Percutaneous and EUS guided drainage of pancreatic collections have turned out to be an important procedure to manage infected pancreatic necrosis that helps to avoid a morbid procedure in the form of necrosectomy.

Clinical outcome of endoscopic treatment for symptomatic sterile walled-off necrosis

BACKGROUND

The majority of patients with symptomatic sterile walled-off necrosis (WON) can be treated conservatively. Although endoscopic transluminal drainage (ETD) is often performed in cases of persistent symptoms, post-procedural iatrogenic infection may occur. This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes after ETD of symptomatic sterile WON.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, multicenter, open-label case series of 56 patients with necrotizing pancreatitis who underwent ETD for symptomatic sterile WON between July 2001 and August 2018 at two tertiary referral hospitals. Primary end point was clinically relevant post-procedural iatrogenic infection, defined as need for endoscopic transluminal necrosectomy. Secondary end points included mortality, total number of interventions, hospital stay, and resolution of symptoms at 1-year follow-up.  RESULTS : ETD of sterile WON was performed in 56 patients (median age 55 years, 57 % male), who presented with abdominal pain (71 %), gastric outlet obstruction (45 %), jaundice (20 %), and failure to thrive (27 %). A total of 41 patients (73 %) developed clinically relevant post-procedural iatrogenic infection, resulting in a median of 3 (interquartile range [IQR] 2 - 4) endoscopic, radiological, and/or surgical interventions. Mortality rate was 2 %. Median total hospital stay was 12 days (IQR 6 - 17). Resolution of symptoms was reported in 40 of 46 patients (87 %) for whom long-term follow-up data were available (median follow-up 13 months, IQR 6 - 29).

CONCLUSIONS

ETD of symptomatic sterile WON resulted in high clinical success. Nonetheless, the majority of patients required additional reinterventions for clinically relevant post-procedural iatrogenic infection.

Outcomes of Open, Laparoscopic, and Percutaneous Drainage of Infected Walled-Off Pancreatic Necrosis: A Nationwide Inpatient Sample Study

Background

Walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) represents an encapsulated collection of necrotic pancreatic or peripancreatic tissue that tends to develop four weeks after the onset of acute necrotizing pancreatitis. When infected, it is managed initially by antibiotic therapy before drainage by endoscopic, percutaneous, or surgical means. This study aims to describe the morbidity, mortality, length of stay (LOS), and cost of care associated with open surgical, laparoscopic, and radiology-guided percutaneous drainage in adult patients with infected WOPN.

Methods

Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), patients aged 18 years and older discharged with the diagnosis of WOPN between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016 who underwent open, laparoscopic, or percutaneous drainage were included. Patients’ characteristics including age, gender, and body mass index were reported. The primary endpoints were the mortality rate as well as length and cost of stay in each group. The secondary endpoint was the rate of procedural complications in each arm. Endpoints were reported and compared with studies assessing similar outcomes. Statistical Analysis System (SAS) statistical software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) was used to perform the analysis.

Results

A total of 229 patients with the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis were identified. Of these 229 patients, 27, 15, and 20 underwent open, laparoscopic, and percutaneous drainage, respectively. A total of eight studies were used for comparison of outcome variables. Mortality rate was found to be similar among comparison studies. LOS and costs varied widely among studies. There were significantly fewer pancreatic fistula and significantly more multi-organ failure complications as a result of open necrosectomy in the NIS study sample.

Conclusion

Overall, in analyzing the outcomes of patients undergoing intervention for infected WOPN through the 2016 NIS database, it appears that the database is representative of the majority of outcomes seen in similar clinical trials.

Endoscopic Management of Pancreatic Fluid Collections

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

Operative pancreatic debridement: Contemporary outcomes in changing times

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Operative pancreatic debridement (OPD) is the historic gold standard for treating necrotizing pancreatitis (NP). Recent success with minimally invasive NP treatment approaches have raised the question of which NP patients require OPD. We therefore sought to define contemporary outcomes of NP patients undergoing OPD.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed of 116 consecutive NP patients undergoing OPD using a prospectively maintained institutional NP database between 2006 and 2018.

RESULTS

86 (74%) patients underwent open pancreatic debridement (OD) and 30 (26%) underwent open transgastric debridement (TGD). Median follow-up was 16 months (interquartile range [IQR], 8-45 months). Median age was 51 years (IQR, 43-65 years); 73 (63%) were male. Pancreatitis etiology included biliary (53%), alcohol (22%), and idiopathic/other (25%). Median time from diagnosis to OPD was 64.5 days (IQR, 32-114.5 days). Mean APACHE-II score was: admission 8.5 (standard deviation [SD], 5.9); worst 12.6 (SD, 7.9); preoperatively 7.2 (SD, 4.6). 40 patients (34%) were initially managed with minimally invasive techniques (percutaneous drain only in 24, endoscopic only in 6, combination in 10). Median postoperative length of stay was 11 days (IQR, 7-19 days). 90-day morbidity and mortality were 70% and 2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

NP patients who require OPD are critically and chronically ill. OPD is associated with substantial morbidity, but acceptable mortality in an experienced center with multidisciplinary support. This large contemporary series demonstrates that in properly selected patients, OPD remains an important treatment for NP.

Disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome predicts failure of percutaneous therapy in necrotizing pancreatitis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Minimally invasive approaches, such as percutaneous drainage (PD), are increasingly utilized as initial treatment in necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) requiring intervention. Predictors of success of PD as definitive treatment are lacking. Our aim was to assess the application, predictors of success, and natural history of PD in NP. We hypothesized that necrosis morphology patterns and disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (DPDS) may predict the ability of PD to provide definitive therapy.

METHODS

714 NP patients were treated from 2005 to 2018. Patients achieving disease resolution with PD alone (PD) were compared to those requiring an escalation in intervention (Step). Outcomes were compared between groups using independent samples t-test, Fisher's exact test, and Pearson's correlation, as appropriate. P < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.

RESULTS

115 patients were initially managed with PD (42 PD, 73 Step). No difference in necrosis morphology was seen between the two groups. The PD group underwent significantly more repeat percutaneous interventions (PD, 3.2; Step, 2.0; P = 0.0006) including additional drain placement and drain upsize/reposition procedures. Patients with DPDS were more likely to require an escalation in intervention (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-7.6; P = 0.003). The mean number of months to NP resolution was similar (PD, 5.7; Step, 5.8; P = 0.9). Mortality was similar (PD, 7%; Step 14%, P = 0.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Necrosis morphology in and of itself does not reliably predict successful definitive treatment by percutaneous drainage. However, patients with disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome were less likely to have definitive resolution with PD alone.

Outcomes of infected pancreatic necrosis complicated with duodenal fistula in the era of minimally invasive techniques

Background: Duodenal fistula (DF) was reportedly thought to be the second most common type of gastrointestinal fistula secondary to acute necrotizing pancreatitis. However, infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) associated DF (IPN-DF) was rarely specifically reported in the literature. The outcome of IPN-DF was also less well recognized, especially in the era of minimally invasive techniques. A retrospective cohort study was designed mainly focused on the management and outcomes of IPN-DF in the era of minimally invasive techniques. Methods: One hundred and twenty-one consecutive patients diagnosed with IPN between January 2015 and May 2018 were enrolled retrospectively. Among them, 10 patients developed DF. The step-up minimal invasive techniques were highlighted and outcomes were analyzed. Results: Compared with patients without IPN-DF, patients with IPN-DF had longer hospital stay (95.8 vs. 63.5 days, p < .01), but similar mortality rates (10% vs. 21.6%, p > .05). The median interval between the onset of acute pancreatitis (AP) and detection of DF was 2.4 months (1-4 months). The median duration of DF was 1.5 months (0.5-3 months). Out of the 10 patients with DF, 9 had their fistulas resolve spontaneously over time by means of controlling the source of infection with the use of minimally invasive techniques and providing enteral nutritional support, while one patient died of uncontrolled sepsis. No open surgery was performed. On follow-up, the 9 patients recovered completely and remained free of infection and leakage. Conclusion: IPN-DF could be managed successfully using minimally invasive techniques in specialized acute pancreatitis (AP) center. Patients with IPN-DF suffered from a longer hospital stay, but similar mortality rate compared with patients without DF.