Utility of endoscopic ultrasonography in endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts in selected patients

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) on endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts and to determine patency with fistula dilation and placement of multiple stents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between September 1995 and January 1999, 19 patients underwent endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts, 17 of whom were assessed by EUS before drainage. Radial EUS scanning was used to detect an optimal site of apposition of pseudocyst and gut wall, free of intervening vessels. A fistula was created with a fistulatome, followed by balloon dilation of the fistula tract. Patency was maintained with multiple double pigtail stents. The primary goal of this retrospective study was to determine whether EUS affected the practice of endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts. RESULTS: In 3 patients, drainage was not attempted based on EUS findings. In the other 13 patients (14 pseudocysts), creation of a fistula was successful on 13 occasions, and no immediate complications occurred. However, 1 patient subsequently developed sepsis that required surgery. All other patients were treated with balloon dilation, multiple stents, and antibiotics, with no septic complications. Of 14 pseudocysts (in 13 patients), 13 (93%) resolved. CONCLUSIONS: Results of EUS may alter management of patients considered for endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts. Endoscopic ultrasonography was useful for selecting an optimal and safe drainage site. The combination of balloon dilation, multiple stents, and antibiotics appears to resolve pancreatic pseudocysts without septic complications.     

Endoscopic management of pancreatic pseudocyst: a long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: No studies with real long-term follow-up after endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts are available. The present study was undertaken to investigate the long-term outcome of endoscopic management of pancreatic pseudocyst with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 38 consecutive patients with pancreatic pseudocyst underwent endoscopic cystogastrostomy (n = 27), endoscopic cystoduodenostomy (n = 6) and transpapillary drainage (n = 5). Patients were monitored at 1 and 3 months after drainage, and finally between 24 and 80 months. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was done at 1 and 3 months after drainage while ultrasound was done at 3 months and at the end of follow-up. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was only done before cyst drainage if no cyst bulge was visible in the stomach or duodenum or if obstructive jaundice was present. RESULTS: Biliary pancreatitis was responsible for the pseudocyst in 19 cases while the remaining occurrences were caused by alcohol (n = 12) and trauma (n = 7). All forms of endoscopic drainage were effective in treating pancreatic pseudocyst and there was complete disappearance of the cyst within 3 months of drainage, irrespective of cause. Over a mean follow-up of 44.23 months (24 - 80 months). Three patients had symptomatic recurrences while three had asymptomatic recurrences; all had alcohol-induced pancreatitis. No recurrences were seen in the biliary pancreatitis and trauma group. All symptomatic recurrences were successfully managed with endoscopic cystogastrostomy and stenting. A massive bleed in one patient required surgery while stent block and cyst infection in three patients and perforation in one patient were managed conservatively. ERCP was done before cyst drainage in eight patients because there was no visible bulge into the stomach or duodenum (n = 5), or because obstructive jaundice was present (n = 3). In five patients ERCP revealed cyst duct communication. All these patients were managed by transpapillary drainage and there was only one asymptomatic recurrence in this group. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic management of pancreatic pseudocyst is quite an effective and safe mode of treatment in experienced hands. ERCP before the procedure is only required when the cyst does not bulge into gut lumen, for a decision about the feasibility of transpancreatic drainage. On long-term follow-up, recurrences were seen only in the alcoholic pancreatitis group. In the biliary pancreatitis group, no recurrences were seen after cholecystectomy and removal of common bile duct (CBD) stones if present. No recurrences were seen in the trauma group.     

超声内镜引导经胃内引流术治疗胰腺假性囊肿误吸的预防

目的探讨如何预防在超声内镜(EUS)引导下经胃内治疗胰腺假性囊肿引起的误吸。方法对该院所做的EUS引导下经胃内引流胰腺假性囊肿的资料进行回顾性分析。结果 16例胰腺假性囊肿患者,经EUS引导胃内穿刺放置内支架引流成功16例,穿刺引流操作成功率为100.0%。囊肿完全吸收16例,治愈率100.0%。穿刺后囊液反流导致误吸2例,发生率为12.5%。3例患者通过内镜拔出引流支架,另外13例患者支架自行脱落排出。结论头高脚低位、精细操作及食管套管可以防止EUS穿刺后胰腺假性囊肿囊液误吸入气管。     

Endoscopic ultrasound drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst: a prospective comparison with conventional endoscopic drainage

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Pancreatic pseudocysts are a complication in up to 20% of patients with pancreatitis. Endoscopic management of pseudocysts by a conventional transenteric technique, i. e. conventional transmural drainage (CTD), or by endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage (EUD), is well described. Our aim was to prospectively compare the short-term and long-term results of CTD and EUD in the management of pseudocysts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 99 consecutive patients underwent endoscopic management of pancreatic pseudocysts according to this predetermined treatment algorithm: patients with bulging lesions without obvious portal hypertension underwent CTD; all remaining patients underwent EUD. Patients were followed prospectively, with cross-sectional imaging during clinic visits. We compared short-term and long-term results (effectiveness and complications) at 1 and 6 months post procedure. RESULTS: 46 patients (37 men) underwent EUD and 53 patients (39 men) had CTD. The mean age of the entire group was 50 +/- 13 years. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding short-term success (93% vs. 94%) or long-term success (84% vs. 91%); 68 of the 99 patients completed 6 months of follow-up. Complications occurred in 19% of EUD vs. 18% of CTD patients, and consisted of bleeding in three, infection of the collection in eight, stent migration into the pseudocyst in three, and pneumoperitoneum in five. All complications but one could be managed conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: No clear differences in efficacy or safety were observed between conventional and EUS-guided cystenterostomy. The choice of technique is likely best predicated by individual patient presentation and local expertise.     

Endoscopic management of pancreatic pseudocysts

Recently, endoscopic interventional procedures were introduced for nonsurgical therapy of symptomatic pancreas pseudocysts. We reported 25 patients treated by endoscopic retrograde pancreas drainage (ERPD), endoscopic cystogastrostomy (ECG), or endosopic cystoduodenostomy (ECD).ERPD was performed in 9 patients by placement of a 5 Fr. or 7 Fr. endoprosthesis transpapillary into the cyst or the main pancreatic duct. ECG was carried out in 10 cases, in 7 of these, a double pigtail catheter was additionally inserted. Three patients suffering from pseudocysts of the pancreas head were treated by ECD. In a further 3 cases, ERPD and ECG were combined.All patients reported a dramatic reduction of pain with a simultaneous increase of appetite and body weight. The drainage tubes were removed after disappearance of symptoms, and abnormal clinical and endoscopic findings within 2 to 12 months. In 4 cases, a recurrence of the cyst was found 10 and 22 months later, in 3 cases the endoprostheses had to be renewed because of catheter occlusion or dislocation. 2 patient underwent surgical treatment after insufficient endoscopic drainage due to haemorrhage or recurrence.Endoscopic treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts yielded good results with low rates of recurrence and complications. According to our experiences we think endoscopic interventional techniques will oust surgery from its present dominant position in the next years.     

Multiple stenting of refractory pancreatic duct strictures in severe chronic pancreatitis: long-term results

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Dominant pancreatic duct strictures located in the head of the pancreas in patients with severe chronic pancreatitis are often managed by endoscopic placement of a single plastic stent. Patients with refractory strictures after prolonged stenting require repeated stent replacement or surgical pancreaticojejunostomy. Placement of multiple plastic stents has proved effective in managing postoperative biliary strictures. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility, efficacy, and long-term results of multiple stenting of refractory pancreatic strictures in severe chronic pancreatitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 19 patients with severe chronic pancreatitis (16 men, three women; mean age 45 years) and with a single pancreatic stent through a refractory dominant stricture in the pancreatic head underwent the following protocol: (i) removal of the single pancreatic stent; (ii) balloon dilation of the stricture; (iii) insertion of the maximum number of stents allowed by the stricture tightness and the pancreatic duct diameter; and (iv) removal of stents after 6 to 12 months. RESULTS: The median number of stents placed through the major or minor papilla was 3, with diameters ranging from 8.5 to 11.5 Fr and length from 4 to 7 cm. Only one patient (5.5 %) had persistent stricture after multiple stenting. During a mean follow-up of 38 months after removal, 84 % of patients were asymptomatic, and 10.5 % had symptomatic stricture recurrence. No major complications were recorded. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic multiple stenting of dominant pancreatic duct strictures in chronic pancreatitis is a feasible and safe technique. Multiple pancreatic stenting is promising in obtaining persistent stricture dilation on long-term follow-up in the setting of severe chronic pancreatitis.     

Long-term results of endoscopic and percutaneous transhepatic treatment of benign biliary strictures

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Benign biliary strictures, mostly associated with biliary surgery, are of growing importance for the therapeutic endoscopist. In the short term, endoscopic therapy has success rates similar to those of surgery. With regard to the long-term results, fewer data are available, particularly concerning forms of treatment including percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) as an additional tool. The present study was aimed at allowing evaluation of the short and long-term results of endoscopic and percutaneous treatment in patients with benign biliary strictures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The charts of 40 consecutive patients treated during the period 1992-1994 (12 men, 28 women; median age 60.5 years, range 24-86) were analyzed retrospectively. Long-term follow-up was carried out by direct contact. In almost all of the cases, the endoscopic treatment consisted of papillotomy and stenting (single stent treatment 10 or 11.5 Fr); Yamakawa-type prostheses (14 or 16 Fr) were used in the PTBD patients. RESULTS: The primary treatment was successful in 37 of the 40 patients, including nine of 21 patients (43 %) treated endoscopically and 28 of 31 patients (90%) treated using the percutaneous approach. The complication rates after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were 14%, compared with 26% after PTBD. Relief of the stricture was achieved in 25 patients after a median period of stent treatment of nine months (range 3-44), while recurrences were seen in six patients with stents in place for only 4.5 months (range 1-8), and in one patient with a metal stent. Therapy failed in two patients, and three were lost to follow-up. Serious long-term complications were rare, but there was a fatal complication in one patient with metal stents. The follow-up period was 44 months (range 11-66). Three patients underwent successful primary surgery, and three more underwent successful surgery after stricture recurrence; all were free of complaints after 49 months (range 40-44). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic and percutaneous treatment of benign biliary strictures is not only a short-term treatment, but also an adequate long-term therapeutic alternative to surgery, with tolerable complication rates. The period of stenting appears to influence the outcome, and the diameter of the stents used also probably plays a role. Prospective studies are required for further evaluation of these observations.     

Endoscopic treatment of postsurgical external pancreatic fistulas

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: External pancreatic fistulas (EPFs) are managed primarily by conservative treatment with a success rate of 40-90%. Failures of conservative therapy have traditionally been dealt with using surgery; however, major morbidity and mortality are associated with operative treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of endoscopic treatment in the closure of EPF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 16 consecutive patients with EPF (12 men, four women; median age 50, range 21-66) underwent an attempt at endoscopic management after failure of conservative therapy. Four patients had chronic pancreatitis. All patients had EPFs occurring after open abdominal surgery. The mean interval between the onset of the fistula and our intervention was 108 days (range 27-365 days). The mean output volume of the fistula was 205 ml/d (range 50-600 ml/ d). The aim of treatment was to lower the pancreatic duct pressure and to bypass the ductal disruption by placement of drains and/or stents to induce fistula healing. RESULTS: In all, 13 biliary and nine pancreatic sphincterotomies were performed in order to gain access to the pancreatic duct. Access through the minor papilla was required in one patient. Complete visualization of the main pancreatic duct as well as of the fistulous tract was obtained in 12 patients (75%). Treatment consisted of placement of a nasal pancreatic drain (NPD) across the pancreaticojejunal anastomosis in one patient after duodenopancreatectomy. In 11 of the remaining 15 patients (73%) a NPD could be placed in the pancreatic duct across the ductal leakage (n = 9) or nearby (n = 2). One patient died 24 hours after endoscopic treatment from severe sepsis and massive pulmonary embolism. Endoscopic drainage was effective in healing the EPF in all patients in whom NPDs had been successfully placed, except one. The fistula in this patient healed completely after insertion of an 8.5-Fr pancreatic stent. The mean interval between endoscopic treatment and fistula closure was 8.8 days (range 2-33 days). No complications related to the endoscopic treatment were recorded in this series. In the 12 successfully treated patients, fistulas did not recur in any of the 11 surviving patients after a mean follow-up of 24.7 months (range 3-63 months). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic pancreatic drainage, when feasible, is safe and effective for EPF and should be considered as a first-line therapy when EPFs do not respond to conservative therapy.     

超声内镜下经胃、十二指肠乳头引流治疗胰腺假性囊肿的效果评价*

目的探究超声内镜(EUS)下经胃或十二指肠乳头置管引流治疗胰腺假性囊肿(PPC)的临床疗效。方法选取2012年3月-2015年3月该院收治的100例PPC患者,按临床治疗指标对其中的80例进行EUS下经胃穿刺置管引流,20例行EUS下经十二指肠乳头穿刺置管引流。记录所有患者的治疗效果以及并发症的发生情况。结果 100例患者的手术中成功率为95.00%,其中囊肿完全消失率为84.00%。100例患者中共有10例发生术中出血,3例发生支架移位堵塞,另有7例术后出现囊肿内部感染,并发症的发生率为20.00%。结论对PPC患者进行EUS下经胃、十二指肠乳头穿刺置管引流治疗可以提高临床疗效,减少并发症,值得在临床上推广应用。     

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided one-step transmural drainage of cystic abdominal lesions with a large-channel echo endoscope

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Transmual endoscopic drainage of peripancreatic fluid collections under endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) control has been reported. We evaluated a facilitated technique of one-step puncture and drainage using a new stenting device and a large-channel echo endoscope. PATIENTS AND METHODS: EUS-guided transumural drainage of cystic lesions was attempted in six male patients. The drainage sites were duodenal in two instances and gastric in four. The lesions were pseudocysts, arising from chronic pancreatitis (n=2), and following acute pancreatitis (n=3), and one abscess. The median size of the pseudocysts was 50mm (range, 25 to 90). The punctures were carried out under direct EUS guidance, using a new echo endoscope with a 3.2-mm working channel. Transmural drainage was done using modified 7-F stents. Stents were inserted directly over a 1-mm puncture needle and their position was optimized using a 7-F pusher connected to the stent by a special construction. The stents were released by withdrawing the needle. RESULTS: EUS-guided one-step drainage was technically successful in all 6 patients. It was possible to position the stents as desired, regardless of the location, size or pathogenesis of the target lesions. There were no complications associated with the endoscopic interventions. All the lesions, including two with putrid contents, had collapsed by the day following drainage. The stents were removed after a median period of 2 weeks (range 2-12). The cysts had completely resolved in four patients at follow-ups of 3-13 months (range). The patient with the gastric abscess underwent gastrectomy 2 weeks after stent extraction, because of a coincidental adenocarcinoma at the cardia, the abscess being resolved. One patient with necrotizing pancreatitis, who refused surgical treatment, died because of septic complications. CONCLUSIONS: New large-channel echo endoscopes allow more aggressive endoscopic interventions to be carried out safely under direct EUS control. One-step drainage using the new 7-F stent-over-needle device was effective for six cystic lesions of variable origin.     

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts complicated by portal hypertension or by intervening vessels

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Portal hypertension often coexists with pancreatic pseudocysts and is potentially dangerous if a collateral vessel is in the vicinity of the needle puncture pathway. Hitherto, there have been no reports of pseudocyst drainage in this setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided pancreatic pseudocyst drainage complicated by intervening vessels were assessed for success and outcomes. An Olympus mechanical linear-array video echo endoscope GF-UM 140D was used for the drainage procedure in all patients. Either a "hot" diathermy technique was employed or a "cold" technique using direct aspiration with a 19-G needle, followed by deployment of a nasocystic catheter. RESULTS: Eight patients with a symptomatic pseudocyst and intervening vessels underwent drainage that was guided (n = 6) or assisted (n = 2) by EUS. All were found to have successful resolution of the cyst at follow-up 6 weeks later, while segmental portal hypertension had disappeared in one patient. There were no major complications. One patient had transient hemorrhagic drainage that resolved by itself. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudocysts complicated by portal hypertension or by intervening vessels can be safely drained under EUS guidance, even in the absence of color Doppler imaging.     

Incomplete pancreas divisum: is it merely a normal anatomic variant without clinical implications?

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Incomplete pancreas divisum (PD) has been generally regarded as merely a normal anatomic variant, without clinical implications. This study compares the prevalence, symptom occurrence rate, clinical presentation, and outcomes of endoscopic treatment in patients with incomplete PD and those with complete PD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 56 patients (27 with complete PD and 29 with incomplete PD), identified from 4473 newly performed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography examinations. Endoscopic treatment (minor papilla sphincterotomy with stents or nasopancreatic drainage tube insertion) was attempted in 25 symptomatic patients with PD, which was suspected to be causing the associated pancreatic diseases: acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) (n = 13; five patients with complete PD and eight with incomplete PD); chronic pancreatitis (CP) (n = 10: five patients with complete PD and five with incomplete PD); and pancreatic-type pain (PP) (n = 2; one patient with complete PD and one with incomplete PD). The mean follow-up period was 17 months (range 9 - 49 months). RESULTS: In 12 of the 27 patients with complete PD--six with ARP, five with CP, and one with PP--it was suspected that PD was the cause of pancreatic disease. Ten of the 11 symptomatic patients with complete PD underwent successful endoscopic treatment (five with endoscopic minor papilla sphincterotomy and stenting, and five with endoscopic minor papilla sphincterotomy and endoscopic nasopancreatic drainage), and seven of these ten patients benefited from the endoscopic treatment. In 14 of the 29 patients with incomplete PD--eight with ARP, five with CP, and one with PP--it was suspected that pancreas divisum was the cause of pancreatic disease. Thirteen of the 14 symptomatic patients with incomplete PD underwent successful endoscopic treatments (six with endoscopic minor papilla sphincterotomy and stenting, and seven with endoscopic minor papilla sphincterotomy and endoscopic nasopancreatic drainage), and eight of these 13 patients experienced clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rate, symptom occurrence rate, clinical presentation, and outcomes of endoscopic treatment were similar in patients with complete PD and incomplete PD. Incomplete PD may therefore have similar clinical implications to those of complete PD.     

Therapeutic pancreatic endoscopy

A number of endoscopic interventions have expanded the range of treatment options in symptomatic pancreatic diseases. Early endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) appear to be beneficial in patients with severe acute biliary pancreatitis. Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy can be safely performed with high technical success rates in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Routine additional biliary ES or drainage procedures are not apparently necessary. Stenting can be limited to the treatment of dominant pancreatic duct strictures. In patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, temporary placement of pancreatic stents reduces the morbidity associated with ES. Transpapillary or transmural endoscopic drainage achieves resolution of pancreatic pseudocysts in the majority of selected patients. Drainage procedures with endoscopic ultrasound guidance can potentially expand the indications and reduce the procedure-related morbidity. Therapeutic endoscopy should be considered in symptomatic patients with pancreas divisum, as well as in selected children with pancreatic diseases. Most of the published studies on therapeutic pancreatic endoscopy have been conducted retrospectively. Additional prospective controlled trials are warranted to allow further evaluation of the impact of these methods on the clinical outcome in comparison with alternative treatment strategies.     

Long-term follow-up of patients with endoscopic treatment of sporadic adenomas of the papilla of vater

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Knowledge about the long-term outcome of patients after endoscopic treatment of ampullary adenomas remains poor, although surgical series have suggested that the initial endoscopic evaluation of these diseases might overlook cancer foci developed in adenomas. The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the long-term outcome in patients with ampullary adenomas treated endoscopically, with a focus on the possible development of cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 24 patients (median age 59 years, range 34 - 84) with macroscopically benign adenomas of the papilla of Vater treated using mainly laser photodestruction between 1983 and 1996. Medical, endoscopic, surgical, and histological reports were reviewed. Patients and general practitioners were contacted to determine patient outcome when endoscopic follow-up had been discontinued. RESULTS: Endoscopic remission (macroscopic and histological) was achieved in 16 patients (66.6 %) with one recurrence (6.2 %) during a mean endoscopic follow-up of 66 months (4-168 months). Endoscopic treatment was discontinued in five (20.8 %) patients (with minimal residual adenoma and advanced age and/or severe unrelated disease), and failed in three patients (12.5 %) (failure of Nd:YAG laser in one case, severe pancreatitis and pancreatic duct ingrowth in one case each). After a mean clinical follow-up of 81 months (8-172 months), two patients (8.3 %) had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy; eight (33.3 %) had died from unrelated diseases; and 14 (58.3 %) were alive and asymptomatic without any evidence of ampullary cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term follow-up revealed no case of advanced ampullary cancer and suggested that endoscopic treatment was satisfactory for the large majority of patients with ampullary adenomas.     

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts or pancreatic abscesses using a therapeutic echo endoscope.

STUDY AIMS: The purpose of this study is to evaluate a new drainage technique for pancreatic pseudocysts or pancreatic abscesses entirely guided by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and using an interventional echo endoscope with a linear curved array transducer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 1996 and September 1999, EUS-guided drainage of a pancreatic pseudocyst or pancreatic abscess was carried out in 35 patients (26 men, 9 women; mean age 56.7, range 29-69). The mean size of the 35 pancreatic cysts was 7.8 cm (4-12 cm). Pancreatic pseudocysts were located in the head of the pancreas in two cases, in the body in six cases and in the tail in seven cases. On the other hand, the pancreatic abscesses were located in the tail of the pancreas in 17 cases and in the gastric wall in three cases. The EUS instrument used was the FG 38X endoscope manufactured by Pentax-Hitachi. RESULTS: No major complication occurred except in one case of a pneumoperitoneum, which was managed medically. Placement of the 7-F nasocystic drain was successful in 18/20 cases of pancreatic abscess. Surgery was performed in the two other patients. Concerning the pancreatic pseudocysts, placement of an 8.5-French stent was successful in 10 patients and of a nasopancreatic drain in five patients. In one case, only a puncture-aspiration was performed. One recurrence among the 15 pancreatic pseudocysts and two relapses of the 18 pancreatic abscesses have been observed, over a mean follow-up of 27 months (6-48 months). EUS-guided drainage was successful in 31/35 patients (88.5%); only four patients with pancreatic abscesses underwent surgery. No bleeding occurred during the time of this study. CONCLUSION: Internal drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts and abscesses exclusively performed with an echo endoscope is a safe and efficient method which should be evaluated further in larger studies.     

Endoscopic necrosectomy as primary therapy in the management of infected pancreatic necrosis

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Open pancreatic necrosectomy is the standard treatment for infected pancreatic necrosis but is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and prolonged hospital stay. Percutaneous or endoscopic necrosectomy are alternative techniques. We evaluated the use of endoscopic necrosectomy for treatment of patients with necrosis that could be accessed through the posterior wall of the stomach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the indication, patient status according to acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) 2 severity score, and success of endoscopic necrosectomy as primary treatment, in selected patients with localized infected pancreatic necrosis, who presented between May 2002 and October 2004. After the necrosis cavity had been accessed, with the assistance of endoscopic ultrasound, a large orifice was created and necrotic debris was removed using endoscopic accessories under radiological control. Follow-up was clinical and radiological. RESULTS: 13 patients (nine men, four women, mean age 53 years), 11 with positive bacteriology, underwent attempted endoscopic necrosectomy. Median APACHE 2 score on presentation was 8 (range 1-18). Four patients needed intensive therapy unit care and one other patient required (nonventilatory) high-dependency unit care only. Necrosis was successfully treated endoscopically in 12 patients, requiring a mean of 4 endoscopic interventions (range 1-10); one patient required open surgery; two underwent additional percutaneous necrosectomy and one required laparoscopic drainage. Two patients died of complications unrelated to the procedure. The 11 survivors have a median (range) follow-up of 16 (6-38) months. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic necrosectomy is a safe method for treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis. Multiple procedures are usually needed. It may be combined with other methods of surgical intervention. Larger prospective studies will more precisely define its role.     

Long-term outcome after pancreatic stenting in severe chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Although it has been proved that pancreatic stenting is effective in the symptomatic management of severe chronic pancreatitis, long-term outcomes after stent removal have not been fully evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients (75 men, 25 women; median age 49) with severe chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic duct strictures were successfully treated for pancreatic pain using polyethylene pancreatic stents and were followed up for at least 1 year after stent removal. The stents were exchanged "on demand" (in cases of recurrence of pain) and a definitive stent removal was attempted on the basis of clinical and endoscopic findings. Clinical variables were retrospectively assessed as potential predictors of re-stenting. RESULTS: The etiology of the chronic pancreatitis was alcoholic (77 %), idiopathic (18 %), or hereditary (5 %). Patients were followed up for a median period of 69 months (range 14 - 163 months) after study entry, including a median period of 27 months (range 12 - 126 months) after stent removal. The median duration of pancreatic stenting before stent removal was 23 months (range 2 - 134 months). After attempted definitive stent removal, 30 patients (30 %) required re-stenting within the first year of follow-up, at a median time of 5.5 months after stent removal (range 1 - 12 months), while in 70 patients (70 %) pain control remained adequate during that period. By the end of the follow-up period a total of 38 patients had required re-stenting and four ultimately underwent pancreaticojejunostomy. Pancreas divisum was the only factor significantly associated with a higher risk of re-stenting (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The majority (70 %) of patients with severe chronic pancreatitis who respond to pancreatic stenting maintain this response after definitive stent removal. However, a significantly higher re-stenting rate was observed in patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreas divisum.     

Effectiveness of endoscopic treatment modalities in complicated hepatic hydatid disease after surgical intervention

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Hepatic hydatid cyst is a common disease in Turkey and the rupture of the cyst into the biliary tract is the most common complication which is difficult to detect and to manage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of endoscopic treatment modalities in hydatid cyst patients with biliary complications who had previously undergone surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over the last 8 years, by means of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), we have examined 87 patients with postoperative biliary symptoms who had previously undergone surgery for hepatic hydatid disease of the liver. Endoscopic treatment modalities were as follows: endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) and nasobiliary drainage in patients with biliary fistula; balloon and or bougie dilation and stenting in patients with biliary stricture; and ES and balloon extraction in patients with residual hydatid material within the bile duct. RESULTS: Findings from ERCP included biliary fistula in 55 patients (63.2 %), biliary stricture in 16 (18.4 %), and residual hydatid material within the bile duct in 14 (16.1 %). Two patients had normal findings on ERCP. In total, 85 patients were treated by means of endoscopic modalities. The time to closure of fistula was 17.8 +/- 5 days and the rate of fistula closure was 81 %. Biliary stenting was performed in 13 patients with biliary stricture. Endoscopic removal of hydatid material was achieved in 14 patients. The overall success rate of endoscopic treatment was 86 %, and a second surgical intervention was required only in six patients. No serious complication was encountered after endoscopic procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment modalities are safe and helpful methods for the treatment of biliary complications of hepatic hydatid cyst in the postoperative period.     

Dieulafoy's lesion: management and long-term outcome

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Dieulafoy's lesion is usually considered to be a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding and little information is available about the long-term follow-up of this condition. We studied the clinical pattern and long-term outcome in patients with Dieulafoy's lesion who were managed in a gastrointestinal intensive care unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the data on the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of 70 patients admitted to our unit for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to Dieulafoy's lesion. Endoscopic hemostasis was performed in 69 cases. Patients underwent surgery if endoscopic therapy failed. A phone interview was carried out to assess the long-term clinical outcome. RESULTS: Dieulafoy's lesion accounted for 4 % of cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients admitted during the period studied. The mean number +/- SD of endoscopies required to establish the diagnosis was 1.4 +/- 0.75. Endoscopic hemostasis was initially successful in 91.3 % of patients, while nearly 16 % of patients required surgery because endoscopic therapy failed. The overall mortality rate was 8.6 %. None of the 52 patients who were followed up by phone reported recurrent bleeding after discharge from hospital, in a mean follow-up period of 69 months. CONCLUSIONS: Dieulafoy's lesion is a not uncommon cause of severe recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopic therapy is safe and effective in achieving permanent hemostasis. The long-term prognosis for Dieulafoy's lesion is excellent, even when patients are treated using endoscopic methods alone.     

Percutaneous drainage for treatment of infected pancreatic pseudocysts

BACKGROUND: Infection of pancreatic pseudocysts is a potentially fatal complication that must be treated immediately. Despite numerous published reports about percutaneous treatment, the effectiveness of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) of infected pancreatic pseudocysts is still under discussion. METHODS: In this study, 30 patients (17 women) with 30 infected pancreatic pseudocysts were administered local anesthesia and underwent PCD performed with the use of a single-step trocar technique with computed tomographic guidance. The patients' ages varied from 27 to 74 years (mean age, 45 yr). The etiology was acute pancreatitis in 18 patients, chronic pancreatitis in 11 patients, and surgical trauma in 1 patient. RESULTS: No complications related to the procedure occurred in our series. The success rate was 96% (29 of 30 patients), with no recurrence during follow-up, which ranged from 2 to 58 months (mean follow-up, 27.2 mo). One patient had unsuccessful PCD and was subsequently treated surgically. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that PCD is a safe and effective front-line treatment for patients with infected pancreatic pseudocysts.