Percutaneous puncture and drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts

A total of 63 patients with cystic pancreatic lesions (60 pseudocysts, 3 true cysts) underwent percutaneous therapeutic procedures with ultrasound guidance. Repeated needle aspirations were performed in 50 patients, 13 underwent transabdominal catheter drainage. Complete resolution of the cystic lesion was obtained in 37 (59%) patients overall, while 41% required further therapy. Thirty seven (62%) of the 60 pancreatic pseudocysts were successfully drained by percutaneous procedures, in 23 (38%) fluid collections recurred. Complications of the drainage procedures occurred in two patients (3.2%). Considering these results, ultrasound guided needle aspiration and catheter drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts have proved to be of value for both nonsurgical temporary and definitive treatment.     

Three cases of pancreatic pseudocyst treated with transpapillary endoscopic management of pancreatic duct disruption after percutaneous drainage as a first-line treatment]

Previously reported series suggested that the morbidity rate of internal surgical drainage procedure alone was about 15% and the mortality rate was less than 5% in patients with pancreatic pseudocysts. Recently, ultrasonography or CT-guided percutaneous drainage and endoscopic drainage techniques have created a new dimension of invasive, non-surgical treatment options for these patients. In the absence of prospective, randomized, controlled studies comparing outcomes of different pseudocysts drainage techniques, the decision as to which method should be employed often lies with local expertise and enthusiasm. In our experience, radiologic percutaneous drainage with subsequent transpapillary endoscopic drainage had a high success rate and was relatively less difficult which resulted in rapid clinical improvement. We report three cases of pancreatic pseudocysts treated with percutaneous drainage as a first-line treatment followed by endoscopic treatment.     

Pancreatic pseudocysts during first attack of acute pancreatitis

One hundred and forty-eight patients admitted with their first episode of acute pancreatitis were examined by ultrasonography. During the acute attack 1 or more pseudocysts were found in 19 patients (13%), pancreatic abscess in 2, whereas 127 had a normal or swollen pancreas. Two small cysts resolved spontaneously, eight were cured after ultrasonically guided needle aspiration or catheter drainage, and cystogastrostomy was necessary in four cases. One patient refused treatment. Abscesses requiring surgical drainage developed in four of the patients with pseudocysts. The study showed that pseudocysts may appear as early as within 1 week of the first episode of acute pancreatitis. Some pseudocysts may resolve spontaneously, and ultrasonically guided aspiration or drainage may cure approximately half of the pseudocysts.     

Classification and Management of Pancreatic Pseudocysts

This article aims to elucidate the classification of and optimal treatment for pancreatic pseudocysts.Various approaches, including endoscopic drainage, percutaneous drainage, and open surgery, have been employed for the management of pancreatic pseudocysts. However, no scientific classification of pancreatic pseudocysts has been devised, which could assist in the selection of optimal therapy.We evaluated the treatment modalities used in 893 patients diagnosed with pancreatic pseudocysts according to the revision of the Atlanta classification in our department between 2001 and 2010. All the pancreatic pseudocysts have course of disease >4 weeks and have mature cysts wall detected by computed tomography or transabdominal ultrasonography. Endoscopic drainage, percutaneous drainage, or open surgery was selected on the basis of the pseudocyst characteristics. Clinical data and patient outcomes were reviewed.Among the 893 patients, 13 (1.5%) had percutaneous drainage. Eighty-three (9%) had type I pancreatic pseudocysts and were treated with observation. Ten patients (1%) had type II pseudocysts and underwent the Whipple procedure or resection of the pancreatic body and tail. Forty-six patients (5.2%) had type III pseudocysts: 44 (4.9%) underwent surgical internal drainage and 2 (0.2%) underwent endoscopic drainage. Five hundred six patients (56.7%) had type IV pseudocysts: 297 (33.3%) underwent surgical internal drainage and 209 (23.4%) underwent endoscopic drainage. Finally, 235 patients (26.3%) had type V pseudocysts: 36 (4%) underwent distal pancreatectomy or splenectomy and 199 (22.3%) underwent endoscopic drainage.A new classification system was devised, based on the size, anatomical location, and clinical manifestations of the pancreatic pseudocyst along with the relationship between the pseudocyst and the pancreatic duct. Different therapeutic strategies could be considered based on this classification. When clinically feasible, endoscopic drainage should be considered the optimal management strategy for pancreatic pseudocysts.     

Intracystic wire exchange facilitating insertion of multiple stents during endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts and abscesses has been shown to be an effective treatment modality. A major determinant for successful cyst resolution is the insertion of multiple endoprostheses and/or placement of a nasocystic drain, which require repeated entries of a catheter into the pseudocyst to reintroduce the guidewire. OBJECTIVE: We describe a novel and easy technique to prevent the need for repeated access into the pseudocyst, thereby facilitating the placement of multiple endoprostheses by using a commercially available guiding system for stent introduction. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands. PATIENTS: Eight consecutive patients with symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts after acute pancreatitis. INTERVENTIONS: Intracystic wire exchange for the insertion of multiple stents in endoscopic treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts by using an echoendoscope. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Feasibility of intracystic wire exchange and complications. RESULTS: No guidewire access to the pseudocyst was lost. The procedure was well tolerated by the patients. Complete pseudocyst resolution was established in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic appliance of multiple stents becomes easier when using intracystic wire exchange for transgastric pancreatic pseudocyst drainage.     

Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts in chronic pancreatitis

Pancreatic pseudocysts are a well-known complication of acute or chronic pancreatitis, with a higher incidence in the latter. Diagnosis is accomplished most often by computed tomographic scanning, by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or by ultrasound, and a rapid progress in the improvement of diagnostic tools enables detection with high sensitivity and specificity. Different strategies contribute to the treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts: endoscopic transpapillary or transmural drainage, percutaneous catheter drainage, or open surgery. The feasibility of endoscopic drainage is highly dependent on the anatomy and topography of the pseudocyst, but provides high success and low complication rates. Percutaneous drainage is used for infected pseudocysts. However, its usefulness in chronic pancreatitis-associated pseudocysts is questionable. Internal drainage and pseudocyst resection are frequently used as surgical approaches with a good overall outcome, but a somewhat higher morbidity and mortality compared with endoscopic intervention. We therefore conclude that pseudocyst treatment in chronic pancreatitis can be effectively achieved by both endoscopic and surgical means. This review entails publications referring to the classification of pancreatic pseudocysts, epidemiology, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic options for pancreatic pseudocysts. Only full articles were considered for the review. Based on a search in PubMed, the MeSH terms "pancreatic pseudocysts and classification," "diagnosis," and "endoscopic, percutaneous, and surgical treatment" were used either alone or in combination.     

Pancreatic pseudocysts. When and how should drainage be performed?

A better definition of a pseudocyst that clearly separates it from acute fluid collection, improvements in imaging studies, and a better understanding of the natural history of pseudocysts have changed the concepts regarding their management. The old teaching that cysts of more than 6 cm in diameter that have been present for 6 weeks should be drained is no longer true. Indications for drainage are presence of symptoms, enlargement of cyst, complications (infection, hemorrhage, rupture, and obstruction), and suspicion of malignancy. The available forms of therapy include percutaneous drainage, transendoscopic approach, and surgery. The choice of procedure of depends on a number of factors, including the general condition of the patient; size, number, and location of cysts; presence or absence of communication of the cyst with the pancreatic duct; presence or absence of infection; and suspicion of malignancy. Expertise of the radiologist and the endoscopist is also a major deciding factor in the choice of therapy. Percutaneous catheter drainage is safe and effective and should be the treatment of first choice in poor-risk patients, for immature cysts, and for infected pseudocysts. Contraindications include intracystic hemorrhage and presence of pancreatic ascites. For mature cysts, in skilled endoscopic drainage should be given the first preference. It is less invasive, less expensive, and easier to perform with better outcomes in smaller pseudocysts and pancreatic head pseudocysts. Endoscopic expertise is limited, however, and at present endoscopic drainage cannot be advocated as the procedure for general use. In the absence of endoscopic expertise, percutaneous catheter drainage is the procedure of choice. Surgical treatment has been the traditional approach and is still the preferred treatment in most centers. Multiple pseudocysts, giant pseudocysts, presence of other complications related to chronic pancreatitis in addition to pseudocyst, and suspected malignancy are best managed surgically. Surgery is also the backup management in the event that percutaneous or endoscopic drainage fails. Because radiologic diagnosis of pseudocyst may be inaccurate in 20%; it is imperative to be sure that the cystic structure is not a neoplasm before percutaneous or endoscopic drainage. There have been no prospective, randomized trials that have evaluated the results of the three major modalities of therapy (percutaneous, endoscopic, and surgical), and before one can definitely recommend percutaneous drainage or endoscopic approach as the preferred initial mode of therapy, further studies are needed.     

German experience with endoscopic transmural drainage for pancreatic pseudocysts

Background: Endoscopic drainage provides a good alternative or supplement to a surgical approach for the therapy of pancreatic pseudocysts. Methods: Between 1987 and 2000, 47 patients had been treated for pancreatic pseudocysts by transmural or transductal drainage. In 79% the pseudocysts were due to chronic pancreatitis mainly caused by alcoholism. The main symptoms were abdominal pain in 85% of patients and loss of appetite or weight in 60% of patients. In 17% of patients, signs of septicemia were observed. Results: In 42 patients pancreatic pseudocysts disappeared completely. In the remaining five cases drainage was not successful. Six patients suffered a relapse 7–38 months after drainage. No other recurrences were followed up within 4–10 years. In another six patients the prostheses were renewed because of occlusion or dislocation. Overall six patients had to undergo surgery, three patients because of relapsing cyst, two patients because of insufficient drainage and one patient because of severe bleeding. There was no case of death related to the endoscopic treatment. Conclusions: Since the development of a modified needle type cystotom, the puncture and insertion of the prosthesis for pancreatic cyst drainage is less precarious and quicker. The endoscopic sonography is a valuable supplement to the diagnostic procedure to localize the optimal spot for puncture and to avoid hemorrhage because of damage of intramural or extramural blood vessels. Advantages of endoscopic drainage are minimal invasiveness, short period of hospitalization and low costs. These aspects make endoscopic therapy the first choice of treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts.     

超声内镜引导下胰腺假性囊肿引流术的临床疗效分析

目的 评价超声内镜(EUS)引导下胰腺假性囊肿(PPC)引流术的安全性和有效性.方法 17例PPC患者行EUS以探查和确定适当的穿刺点及穿刺深度,经内镜活检孔将穿刺针刺入PPC腔内,用注射器抽出囊液,X线引导下沿针孔插入导丝,沿导丝置入针状刀以切开胃壁和囊壁,行球囊扩张,根据囊液性状选择引流方式.评价操作成功率、治疗成功率、并发症发生率和操作技巧.结果 4例行鼻囊肿管外引流,9例行双猪尾支架内引流,4例行鼻囊肿管和双猪尾支架联合引流,其治疗成功率分别为3/4、7/9、4/4.1例患者于支架放置成功后见穿刺部位渗血,因内镜下治疗等措施无效而转行外科手术缝扎止血.4例患者在PPC引流过程中出现感染,其中2例因内科治疗效果不佳转行外科手术切除,另2例经静脉滴注囊液细菌敏感抗生素和经鼻囊肿管甲硝唑溶液冲洗PPC处理后痊愈.中位随访时间为28.5个月,无1例复发.结论 EUS引导下PPC引流术安全有效,支架和鼻囊肿管引流对PPC治疗具有重要价值.     

Pancreatic pseudocysts complicated by splenic parenchymal involvement: results of operative and percutaneous management.

Pancreatic pseudocysts are a common finding in acute and chronic pancreatitis, but most are small and uncomplicated, and do not require treatment. Pseudocysts with splenic parenchymal involvement are uncommon but have the potential for massive hemorrhage. Data on the clinical presentation and optimal treatment of this unusual complication of pseudocysts are lacking. The purpose of this review was to identify the clinical features of pancreatic pseudocysts complicated by splenic parenchymal involvement and to determine the outcome with nonoperative and operative therapy. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of all patients with pancreatic pseudocysts from December 1984 to January 1999 revealed 238 patients, of whom 14 (6%) had splenic parenchymal involvement. These medical records were reviewed in detail and all pertinent radiographs were reviewed by the authors to confirm splenic parenchymal involvement by a pancreatic pseudocyst. RESULTS: Initial treatment included observation (n = 2), percutaneous drainage (n = 8), and surgery (n = 4). Of the eight patients treated by percutaneous drainage, one died, three required repeated percutaneous drainage, and three required surgical intervention. None of the patients treated primarily by surgery required additional therapy for the pseudocyst. Overall, 11 patients had complications of the primary therapy, and 25% of patients treated by surgery had significant hemorrhage. Complications included infection (n = 5), pseudocyst persistence (n = 4), bleeding (n = 2), multisystem organ failure (n = 2), gastric outlet obstruction (n = 1), and splenic rupture (n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic pseudocysts complicated by splenic parenchymal involvement may have life-threatening clinical presentations and respond poorly to percutaneous drainage. Distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy are effective, but the complication rate is high.     

Endoscopic-sonographic control of cystogastric catheter drainage of pancreatogenic fluid collections]

In 1985, Hancke published a report on cystogastrostomy using a double pigtail catheter as an alternative to surgical drainage of pseudocysts. Between 1986 and 1991, with the aim of testing the technique, we carried out a prospective study in 39 patients with 40 pancreatic collections of fluid. The object of the study was to identify those collections of fluid that would be suitable for cystogastric drainage. Among the first 20 patients thus treated, permanent evacuation of the cyst was achieved in eleven. In the other nine patients, the reasons for the failure of cystogastric drainage included to immature a cyst, too small a cyst, prior cyst infection and status after a BII resection. For the patients No. 21 to 40, these conditions were adopted as exclusion criteria, with the result that we were able to increase the percentage of permanent emptying to 75%. This makes cystogastric drainage a genuine alternative to surgical and other drainage procedures. As a minimally invasive intervention, it is a first choice therapeutic procedure in suitable pancreatic pseudocysts. If cystogastric drainage is shown not to be feasible, the possibility of employing percutaneous drainage should be investigated. Surgical drainage procedures are reserved for use in such cases as cannot be treated with catheter drainage.     

Treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts in line with D＇Egidio＇s classification

AIM: To explore the implications of underlying diseases in treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts (PPC). METHODS: Clinical data of 73 cases of pancreatic pseudocyst treated in a 12-year period were reviewed comprehensively. Pancreatic pseudocysts were classified according to the etiological criteria proposed by D'Egidio. The correlation between the etiological classification, measure of treatment and clinical outcome of the patients was analyzed. RESULTS: According to the etiological criteria proposed by D'Egidio, 73 patients were divided into three groups. Group I was comprised of 37 patients with type I pseudocyst, percutaneous drainage was successful in the majority (9/11, 82%) while external or internal drainage was not satisfactory with a low success rate (8/16, 50%). Group II was comprised of 24 patients with type II pseudocyst, and internal drainage was curative for most of the cases (11/12, 92%), but the success rate of percutaneous or external drainage was unacceptably low (4/9, 44%). Group III consisted of 12 patients with type III pseudocyst. Internal drainage or pancreatic resection performed in 10 of these patients produced a curative rate of 80% (8/10) with the correction of the ductal pathology as a prerequisite. CONCLUSION: The classification of pancreatic pseudocyst based on its underlying diseases is meaningful for its management. Awareness of the underlying diseases of pancreatic pseudocyst and detection of the ductal pathology in type II and III pancreatic pseudocysts with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography may help make better decisions of treatment to reduce the rate of complications and recurrence.     

Treatment of pseudocysts in acute pancreatitis. Retrospective study of 45 patients]

A total of 55 pancreatic pseudocysts in 45 patients with acute pancreatitis were managed between 1980 and 1990. Six patients were managed conservatively with resolution of pseudocysts in 5 patients. All pancreatic pseudocysts that disappeared were smaller than 35 mm. CT or ultrasound-guided aspiration were performed in 26 patients with a morbidity rate of 5%. Nine among 21 patients (42%) who were initially treated by percutaneous puncture were definitively cured: all pseudocysts were smaller than 55 mm. Nine patients were managed by long-term percutaneous drainage: 3 minor complications occurred and in 7 patients, no other treatment was necessary even for large pseudocysts. Endoscopic cystoenterostomy was performed in 12 patients. Only 15 pseudocysts (27%) bulged into the digestive wall, mainly of the stomach. Three complications (following 2 cystogastrostomies) occurred and one patient died after endoscopic cystogastrostomy. In 7 patients (58%), no other treatment was necessary even for large pancreatic pseudocysts. Surgery was required in 13 patients but only 4 patients underwent surgery as primary treatment. One major complication occurred and one patient died. Percutaneous drainage and endoscopic cystoenterostomy when technically feasible, are effective treatments of pancreatic pseudocysts complicating acute pancreatitis.     

Endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts: a long-term follow-up study of 49 patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic drainage is one of the non-surgical treatment modalities for pancreatic pseudocysts. The aim of the current study was to assess the safety and the utility of endoscopic treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts. Prognostic factors for the outcome were evaluated in a prospective analysis. METHODOLOGY: Forty-nine consecutive symptomatic patients were included in the study. Transmural drainage was used in 30 patients and transpapillary drainage in 19 patients. RESULTS: Successful drainage was achieved in 27/30 (90%) patients after transmural drainage and in 16/19 (84.2%) patients after transpapillary drainage. Twelve (24.5%) patients had complications: 2 patients had bleeding, 2 patients had mild pancreatitis, 8 patients had cyst infection, in relation to the presence of necrosis (5 patients) or clogging of the stent (3 patients). Nine patients (20.9%) had recurrence of pseudocysts. Endoscopic drainage was a definitive treatment in 37/49 (75.5%) patients (median follow up: 25.9 months). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic drainage provides a successful and safe minimally invasive approach to pancreatic pseudocyst management.     

ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASONOGRAPHY‐GUIDED SIMULTANEOUS INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL DRAINAGE OF INFECTED PANCREATIC PSEUDOCYSTS

The procedure for endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)‐guided cystodrainage of pancreatic pseudocysts has been established but, at times, we encounter difficult cases because of infected pseudocysts. We report successful simultaneous internal and external drainage performed in three patients with severely infectious pancreatic pseudocysts.     

Long term outcome of endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts

Objective: Nonoperative drainage either by the percutaneous or endoscopic route has become a viable alternative to surgical drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts. Endoscopic drainage has been reported in a few small series with encouraging short term results. The aim of this study was to determine the indications, suitability, and long term outcome of transmural endoscopic drainage procedures. Methods: All patients presenting over a 2-yr period to a tertiary referral hepatobiliary unit with pancreatic pseudocysts were studied. Endoscopic drainage was performed in patients with pseudocysts bulging into the stomach or duodenal lumen. Outcome measures were successful drainage of the pseudocyst, complications, and recurrence rates. Results: Of 66 patients presenting with pseudocysts, 34 were considered suitable for endoscopic drainage. Twenty-four (71%) were successfully drained. Failures were associated with thick walled pseudocysts (>1 cm), location in the tail of the pancreas, and pseudocysts associated with acute necrotizing pancreatitis. There were three recurrences (7%), two of which were successfully redrained endoscopically. The long term success rate (median follow-up, 46 months) of the initial procedure was 62%. Conclusion: Transmural endoscopic drainage is a safe procedure with minimal complications. It should be the procedure of choice for pseudocysts associated with chronic pancreatitis or trauma, with a wall thickness of <1 cm and a visible bulge into the gastrointestinal lumen. Forty percent of pseudocysts fulfilled these criteria in our study.     

超声内镜下一步穿刺法引流治疗胰腺假性囊肿

目的探讨彩色多普勒超声内镜在胰腺假性囊肿治疗中的作用。方法在纵轴超声内镜监测下以一步法细针穿刺囊肿抽吸或引入导丝、插入鼻囊肿塑料管引流,治疗3例胰腺假性囊肿。结果3例胃内均无囊肿压迹表现,囊肿大小6.0 cm×5.9 cm,6.5 cm×3.8 cm,8.5 cm×5.0cm,位于胰腺体部、尾部和体尾交界各1例。2例囊肿周围血流信号不明显,1例囊壁周围可见血流信号,3例囊肿壁与胃壁间无明显层次回声。抽吸或置入鼻囊肿引流管后,患者分别于2 d、2 d和3 d腹痛缓解,引流3 d后病灶缩小,14 d、30 d囊肿消失。1例穿刺后胃黏膜局部渗血,用去甲肾上腺素冲洗止血,未发生感染、穿孔等并发症。随访2个月、5个月和7个月无复发。结论初步观察表明,超声内镜引导下的一步穿刺法简单、实用,感染及出血风险较小。     

Non-surgical management of pancreatic pseudocysts associated with arterial pseudoaneurysm

BackgroundPseudoaneurysms associated with pancreatic pseudocysts are different from simple, isolated pancreatic pseudoaneurysms and there is paucity of published data on their non surgical treatment.AimTo retrospectively analyze results of combination of angioembolisation or thrombin injection followed by endoscopic transpapillary drainage for management of pseudoaneurysms associated with pancreatic pseudocysts.MethodsEight patients (all males; mean age ± SD: 31.2 ± 6.1 years; age range: 21–38 years) underwent radiological management of the pseudoaneurysm followed by endoscopic drainage of the pseudocysts.ResultsAll patients had pseudocysts (median size 4 cm) with underlying chronic pancreatitis. All patients had abdominal pain on presentation and 7/8 (87.5%) patients had presented with overt gastrointestinal bleeding. The size of the pseudoaneurysms varied from 1 to 4 cm. Two patients were treated with percutaneous thrombin injection whereas six patients underwent digital subtraction angiography and angioembolisation. All patients underwent successful endoscopic transpapillary drainage through the major (5) or minor papilla (3) and resolution of pseudocysts was noted within 6 weeks (median 4 weeks). No significant complication of the procedure was noted in any of the patients.ConclusionsPseudoaneurysms associated with pancreatic pseudocysts can be successfully and safely treated with a combination of radiological obliteration of the pseudoaneurysm followed by endoscopic transpapillary drainage.     

The size of pancreatic pseudocyst does not influence the outcome of invasive treatments

BACKGROUND: Authors generally agree that Giant Pancreatic Pseudocysts (> 10 cm) have a lower spontaneous resolution and are more difficult to treat than smaller pancreatic pseudocysts. This study was carried out on two groups of patients with larger and smaller pancreatic pseudocysts (pancreatic pseudocysts > 10 cm versus pancreatic pseudocysts < 10 cm), and aims to establish whether the size of pancreatic pseudocysts is a factor influencing treatment outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, we examined 71 patients with pancreatic pseudocysts following an episode of acute pancreatitis, which were treated in our hospital from 1980 to 2000. Forty-one (57.5%) patients had a large pancreatic pseudocyst. Most patients underwent invasive treatments: 9 (12.6%) had percutaneous drainage, 37 (52.1%) open surgery and 13 (18.3%) endoscopic cyst gastrostomy. 12 patients (16.9%) of the 71 were cured with medical therapy alone. RESULTS: As far as the aetiology of the pancreatitis, location and number of the cysts were concerned, no major differences emerged between the two groups, although large pancreatic pseudocysts followed more severe pancreatitis (P = 0.0005). All giant pancreatic pseudocysts required invasive treatments; 40% of the pancreatic pseudocysts < 10 cm were successfully treated with medical therapy alone. No statistical differences were found regarding hospital mortality, morbidity, recurrence rate and hospital stay among the patients treated invasively. CONCLUSIONS: Giant pancreatic pseudocysts more often require invasive therapy due to persistent symptoms or complications. Treatment outcomes do not seem to be influenced by the size of the pancreatic pseudocysts.     

Definitive treatment of pancreatic abscess by endoscopic transmural drainage

BACKGROUND: Experience with endoscopic transmural drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts prompted the use of a similar technique for the primary treatment of pancreatic abscess. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of endoscopic transmural drainage for the treatment of pancreatic abscesses compressing the gut lumen. METHODS: In 9 patients, a total of 11 pancreatic abscesses compressing the stomach, duodenum, or both organs were drained endoscopically by means of endoscopic fistulization followed by saline solution irrigation and subsequent stent(s) placement. Complete resolution of the pancreatic abscess was defined as the absence of symptoms and no residual collection on follow-up CT. OBSERVATIONS: Endoscopic transmural drainage was technically successful in all cases. Ten abscess cavities (91%) resolved completely after stent placement for a mean duration of 32 days. In 2 patients, insertion of a nasopancreatic catheter was required to irrigate thick pus or necrotic debris. Bleeding occurred in 1 case (11%) but there was no mortality. The relapse rate was 13% over a mean follow-up of 18 months. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic transmural drainage is an effective therapy with minimal morbidity for pancreatic abscess compressing the gut lumen and is a valuable alternative to surgical drainage.