Preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with pancreatic pseudocyst associated with resolving acute and chronic pancreatitis.

Experience with patients with pancreatic pseudocysts has led the authors to the hypothesis that preoperative evaluation of the pancreatic and bile ducts by ERCP will define those patients who may be inadequately treated by pseudocyst drainage alone without attention to associated pancreatic and biliary ductal abnormalities. In patients with certain ductal abnormalities, the pseudocyst operation was combined with a definitive operative drainage of the pancreatic duct and/or of the biliary tree where appropriate. A prospective evaluation of routine preoperative ERCP was undertaken over a 36-month period in all patients scheduled for operative treatment of pseudocyst of the pancreas. From an initial group of 44 patients with pseudocysts, three patients who had spontaneous regression of the pseudocyst were excluded. ERCP was successful in 39 of the remaining 41 patients. Among 41 operated patients, 24 were admitted with a diagnosis of pseudocyst that arose after an episode of acute pancreatitis, and 17 had chronic pancreatitis with pseudocyst. Nine patients, initially assumed to have acute pancreatitis, were recognized to have chronic pancreatitis on the basis of ERCP findings. Communication with the main pancreatic duct (MPD) was demonstrated in 18 of 41 pseudocysts, and the rate of communication was similar in patients with acute and chronic pancreatitis. Dilatation of the MPD was seen in 23 of 41 patients and was associated with chronic pancreatitis in 21. Dilatation of the common bile duct was found in 12 patients with chronic pancreatitis. The operative plan was altered by ERCP findings in 24 of 41 patients; 22 of the 24 patients had chronic pancreatitis. There were no complications of ERCP. These data suggest that ERCP should be performed in all patients with pseudocysts to establish correct diagnosis and to allow optimal choice of operation.     

Simultaneous treatment of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocyst

Records from 87 consecutive patients undergoing lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (LPJ) for chronic pancreatitis were reviewed to determine the incidence of pseudocyst and the safety of combined pancreatic duct and pseudocyst drainage. Twelve patients had undergone previous pancreatic pseudocyst drainage; four of them also had pancreatic pseudocysts present at the time of LPJ. In addition, 22 patients had pseudocysts identified preoperatively and/or confirmed at operation. The overall incidence of pseudocyst was 39%. Twenty-six patients (group 1) underwent pancreaticojejunostomy combined with pseudocyst drainage. Sixty-one patients (group 2) underwent pancreaticojejunostomy only. Operative morbidity and mortality results (19% and 8%, respectively, in group 1; 18% and 2%, respectively, in group 2) were similar. Patient outcome was also similar in the two groups (81% and 84% of patients obtained pain relief in groups 1 and 2, respectively). There were no pseudocyst recurrences in either group. Thus, there is a high incidence (39%) of pancreatic pseudocyst in patients undergoing LPJ for chronic pancreatitis. Combined drainage of the pancreatic duct and pseudocyst is safe and effective.     

Main pancreatic ductal anatomy can direct choice of modality for treating pancreatic pseudocysts (surgery versus percutaneous drainage)

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that pancreatic ductal anatomy may predict the likely success of percutaneous drainage of pseudocysts of the pancreas. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Various modalities are currently applied to pseudocysts, with little or no data to aid in the choice of management strategy. Pancreatic ductal anatomy was assessed and a system to categorize ductal changes was established. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of pancreatic pseudocyst were evaluated from 1985 to 2000. Two hundred fifty-three patients have been included in this series. Pancreatic ductal anatomy was defined using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and categorized as a normal duct, a stricture, or complete cut-off of the pancreatic duct. Communication between the duct and cyst was noted. RESULTS: Among the 253 patients, 68 (27%) had spontaneous resolution. Fifty of the remaining 185 had percutaneous drainage and 148 (13 of whom failed to respond to percutaneous drainage) had surgery. There were no deaths in either group. Mean length of time with catheter drainage among all percutaneous drainage patients was 79.2 +/- 19.6 days. Patients with normal pancreatic ducts and those with strictures but no communication between the duct and the cyst who had percutaneous drainage had a much shorter length of hospital stay (6.1 +/- 4.6 days) than patients with strictures and duct-cyst communication and patients with complete cut-off of the duct (33.5 +/- 5.2 days and 39.1 +/- 7.9 days, respectively). Length of drainage also correlated with ductal anatomy. All patients with chronic pancreatitis failed to respond to percutaneous drainage. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic ductal anatomy provides a clear correlation with the failure and successes of pseudocysts managed by percutaneous drainage as well as predicting the total length of drainage. Percutaneous drainage is best applied to patients with normal ducts and is acceptably applied to patients with stricture but no cyst-duct communication.     

Endoscopic therapy for chronic pancreatitis.

When endoscopic therapy is used for the treatment of patients with painful chronic pancreatitis, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) can be proposed as a first-line approach when obstructive ductal stone(s) induce upstream dilation of the main pancreatic duct. Stone fragmentation by ESWL is followed by endoscopic ductal drainage using pancreatic sphincterotomy, fragmented stone(s) extraction, and pancreatic stenting in case of ductal stricture. After completion of endoscopic pancreatic ductal drainage, long-term clinical benefit can be expected for two thirds of the patients. Best clinical results are associated with absence or cessation of smoking and with early treatment in the course of chronic pancreatitis, while alcohol abuse increases the risks of diabetes, steatorrhea and mortality. The complications of chronic pancreatitis are mainly the development of pseudocyst secondary to the downstream ductal obstruction, and biliary obstruction caused by fibrotic changes in the head of the pancreas. Successful endoscopic pseudocyst drainage is currently obtained in most patients, and carries a low complication rate. Biliary stenting is a safe and effective technique for the short-term treatment of symptomatic bile duct stricture due to chronic pancreatitis, but permanent resolution is obtained in only 25% of cases. In conclusion, endoscopic management is now considered to be the preferred interventional treatment of chronic pancreatitis, for patients selected on the basis of the anatomical changes caused by the disease. This treatment is generally safe, minimally invasive, often effective for years, does not prevent further surgery, and can be repeated.     

Changing concepts in the surgical management of pancreatic pseudocysts.

A 27-year experience in the surgical management of 160 patients with pancreatic pseudocysts was reviewed. Sixty-eight patients treated from 1964 to 1981 (Group I) were compared to 92 patients managed from 1982 to 1990 (Group II). During the recent period, computed tomography (CT) scanning, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), selective visceral angiography, and percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) techniques were available. The mean age of patients was similar in both groups (45 vs 44 years). Most pseudocysts in both periods represented complications of chronic pancreatitis due to alcohol abuse (82% vs 87%). Pancreatitis-associated complications occurring before management (fistula, obstruction, hemorrhage) were more frequent in Group II (19% vs 40%, P less than .05). There was a significant increase in the number of patients managed with external drainage in Group II (10% vs 52%) attributable to the use of PCD as definitive therapy in 46 per cent of patients in the recent period. Use of internal drainage procedures (cystgastrostomy, cystduodenostomy, cystjejunostomy) decreased in Group II (38% vs 16%, P less than .05). The use of lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (LPJ) combined either with caudal resection or cyst drainage has remained constant in both periods (32% vs 24%, NS). Patient morbidity was similar (26% vs 28%, NS) and mortality improved in Group II (9% vs 1%, P less than .05). Internal or external drainage for pseudocyst is often not definitive because of the underlying ductal disease. The authors' current approach is to manage large symptomatic cysts either with internal drainage or PCD; they employ octreotide acetate in the management of persistent pancreatic fistula following external drainage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

胰腺巨大假性囊肿27例的外科治疗

目的 探讨巨大胰腺假性囊肿的临床特点,并对各种外科治疗方法进行评价.方法 对1991年2月至2008年2月收治的27例巨大胰腺假性囊肿(长径>10cm)的临床资料进行回顾性分析.结果 27例巨大胰腺假性囊肿约占同期全部胰腺假性囊肿的20.9%;病因分类:急性胰腺炎所致占51.9%,胰腺外伤和手术所致占33.3%,慢性胰腺炎所致占11.1%;病程小于6周者占绝大多数(21/27);30%患者出现上消化道梗阻(8/27);影像学上虽然囊肿巨大,但均为单房囊肿;ERCP检查发现多数囊肿与胰管相通(9/11).手术方式包括囊肿外引流术9例,均失败,改行其他内引流术.囊肿胃吻合术10例,1例失败,改行囊肿空肠引流术,ERCP胰腺导管囊肿内支架引流术2例,1例失败,改行囊肿空肠引流术,囊肿空肠Roux-en-Y吻合术17例(其中11例为采用其他手术方式治疗失败者).所有患者均临床治愈.结论 胰腺巨大假性囊肿多数出现胰管解剖学改变,外科治疗时机和适应证有别于一般性胰腺假性囊肿.     

A Comparative Study Between Longitudinal Pancreacticojejunostomy v/s Lateral Pancreaticogastrostomy as a Drainage Procedure for Pain Relief in Chronic Pancreatitis Done in a Tertiary Referral Centre of Eastern India

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a chronic inflammation of pancreas that leads to progressive fibrosis of pancreatic parenchyma. Commonest indication of surgery in chronic pancreatitis is intractable pain. Choice of procedure depends upon the main pancreatic duct (MPD) morphology. Decompression is useful in dilated and obstructed ducts. Traditional form of decompression is construction of a pancreatico-jejunal anastomosis (LPJ). Another method to achieve ductal decompression is by a pancreaticogastrostomy (LPG) and this study will try to evaluate its effectiveness against pancreaticojejunostomy. To compare the effectiveness of LPG and LPJ in relieving intractable abdominal pain in patients with CP and their respective post-operative complications. This prospective study was done over a period of 4 years from Jan 2007 to Dec 2010 at IPGME & R (SSKM), a tertiary hospital of eastern India. Patients with diagnosis of CP with or without duct calculi and MPD diameter ≥7 mm with intractable pain were included. 70 patients were randomly allocated for LPJ and LPG operation by lottery method. Study tools were questionnaires, blood and radiological investigations and standard instruments for open surgery. The patients were prospectively analyzed for duration of surgery and hospital stay, operative/postoperative complications and assessment of postoperative pain relief. Pain relief was assessed as complete (no analgesic requirement), satisfactory (tolerable pain with normal daily activities) and unsatisfactory (hospitalization, narcotics or hampered daily activities). 1. Operative time was shorter in LPG than LPJ (Median 85 vs. 110 min). 2. Incidence of ileus was lesser in LPG group (p = .054). Other complications were comparable in both groups. 3. LPG was associated with shorter duration of hospital stay (Mean 6 vs. 8 days). 4. Pain relief was comparable in LPG and LPJ. LPG is a good alternative to LPJ for CP.     

The surgical spectrum of hereditary pancreatitis in adults.

The role of operative intervention for hereditary pancreatitis, a rare form of chronic parenchymal destruction, is unclear. To determine whether surgical therapy is safe and provides prolonged symptomatic relief, the authors reviewed the management of 22 adults (11 men, 11 women) with hereditary pancreatitis treated surgically between 1950 and 1989. Hereditary pancreatitis was defined as a family history of two or more relatives with pancreatitis and clinical, biochemical, or radiologic evidence of pancreatitis. The mean ages at onset of symptoms and at operation were 15 years (range, 3 to 52 years) and 31 years (range, 18 to 54 years), respectively. Pain was the primary indication for operation in all patients. Additional symptoms included nausea, vomiting (73%), weight loss (55%), and diarrhea (41%). Ductal dilatation was present in 68%, pancreatic parenchymal calcifications in 73%, pseudocysts in 36%, and splenic vein thrombosis in 18%. Primary operations included ductal drainage in 10 patients, pancreatic resection alone in three, resection with drainage in three, cholecystectomy plus sphincteroplasty in two, cholecystectomy with or without common bile duct exploration in two, pancreatic abscess drainage in one, and pseudocyst drainage in one. There were no perioperative deaths, and the morbidity rate was 14% (intra-abdominal abscess, wound infection, and urinary tract infection). Symptoms recurred in nine patients. Severity prompted reoperation in five. Secondary operations included pancreatic resection in three, pseudocyst excision in one, and pancreaticolithotomy in one. Follow-up to date is complete and extends for a median of 85 months. Eighteen patients (82%) are clinically improved or asymptomatic. Symptoms have persisted in four patients, and two patients have died of pancreatic carcinoma. Two patients died of unrelated causes. Surgical therapy for patients with hereditary pancreatitis selected on the basis of the traditional indications for surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis is safe and efficacious.     

Failure of percutaneous catheter drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst

Percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts under CT radiologic guidance is a valuable adjunct or alternative to operative pseudocyst management. PCD failure is characterized by the development of recurrent pseudocysts or external pancreatic fistulas. The purpose of this study is to define the cause and management of PCD failure patients. A retrospective review and analysis of patients with symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts managed with PCD who required subsequent operative treatment because of PCD failure was undertaken. There were 23 study patients (18 men, 5 women) with a mean age of 44 years identified over a 13-year time period. Pancreatitis etiology was alcohol abuse in 10, gallstones in 7, pancreas divisum in 3, trauma in 2, and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction in 1. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography findings were: 13 genu strictures, 4 main pancreatic duct dilations, 2 head strictures, 1 body stricture, 1 stricture in the tail, 1 intact duct, and 1 unknown. Operations used to manage PCD failures were: lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (LPJ) in 9 patients, Roux-en-Y pancreatic fistula jejunostomy in 7, distal pancreatectomy in 3, caudal pancreatectomy in 2, pancreatoduodenectomy in 1, cyst gastrotomy in 1, and caudal pancreatojejunostomy in 1. Follow-up has ranged from 1 to 13 years (mean, 5 years). Five patients who underwent pancreatic fistula jejunostomy developed recurrent pseudocysts or pancreatitis. There have been no recurrent pseudocysts or fistulas in patients managed with LPJ or pancreatic resection. Genu strictures were the cause of PCD failure in the majority of patients. LPJ is the treatment of choice for genu strictures but may not always be possible because of chronic inflammatory changes. Roux-en-Y pancreatic fistula jejunostomy is an acceptable alternative. Recurrent pseudocysts in the head and body are treated with LPJ with cyst incorporation. Pancreatic resection is appropriate for certain strictures of the head, body, and pancreatic tail. Failure of PCD is associated with an underlying ductal disorder that needs to be defined preoperatively with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to select the appropriate operation.     

Outcome after lateral pancreaticojejunostomy in patients with chronic pancreatitis associated with pancreas divisum

In order to evaluate surgical outcome after lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (LPJ) in patients with pancreas divisum (PD), we compared the operative results in patients who underwent LPJ for PD with those who underwent LPJ for other causes of chronic pancreatitis. The records of 129 patients who underwent LPJ for chronic pain associated with chronic pancreatitis from 1995 through 2001 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. There were 21 patients (11 men, 10 women, mean age 40 years) who had PD as a cause of chronic pancreatitis. The remaining 108 patients (58 men, 50 women, mean age 48 years) had chronic pancreatitis of other etiologies. The two groups had a similar stage of disease progress measured by incidence of pancreatic duct strictures, terminal biliary stenosis, pseudocysts, insulin dependency, need for pancreatic enzymes, and symptom duration. There was no difference in operative time (200 +/- 13.3 vs. 206 +/- 6.1 minutes) or intraoperative blood loss (200 vs. 300 mL) comparing the PD to the other group. The overall postoperative morbidity (14% vs. 23%) and mortality (0% vs. 2%) were not significantly different in PD versus other group comparison. Hospital length of stay was similar in both groups (7.0 +/- 2.4 vs. 8.0 +/- 1.3 days). In the PD group 10 per cent required reoperation with pancreatic resection for failure of LPJ to improve chronic pain versus 9 per cent in the other group. Comparison of patients who undergo LPJ for PD with those who undergo LPJ for other etiologies showed no significant difference in failure rates as measured by the need for reoperation. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were similar in both groups. Failure of LPJ in patients with PD may be related to factors associated with failure of LPJ in management of chronic pancreatitis of other causes. This includes inadequate drainage of the head of gland, failure to drain small ducts, and perineural inflammation.     

Surgical management of complications associated with percutaneous and/or endoscopic management of pseudocyst of the pancreas

OBJECTIVE: To study the magnitude of complications associated with the nonoperative management of peripancreatic fluid collections and pseudocysts and to assess the surgical management of these complications. These are compared with complications associated with operative management. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Pancreatic pseudocysts and peripancreatic fluid collections associated with acute pancreatitis have been managed with success using nonoperative techniques for more than a decade. When successful, these techniques have clear advantages compared with operative management. There has, however, been little focus on the magnitude and outcomes after complications sustained by nonoperative management. Our report focuses on these complications and pseudocysts and on the surgical management. We have been struck by the high percentage of patients who sustain significant and at times life-threatening complications related to the nonoperative management of fluid collections. We further define an association between the main pancreatic ductal anatomy and the likelihood of major complications after nonoperative management. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2003, all patients admitted to our service with peripancreatic fluid collections or pseudocysts were monitored. We evaluated complications patients managed with percutaneous (PD) or endoscopic drainage (E). Data were collected regarding patient characteristics, need for intensive care unit (ICU) stays, hemorrhage, hypotension, renal failure, and ventilator support. We further focused on the duration of fistula drainage from patients who have had a percutaneous drainage, and we assessed the necessity for urgent or emergent operation. By protocol, all patients had pancreatic ductal anatomy evaluated by means of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Patients with complications of E and PD were compared with 100 consecutive patients who underwent operative management of pseudocyst and fluid collections as their sole mode of intervention. RESULTS: A total of 79 patients with complications of PD, E, or both were studied. There were 41 males and 38 females in the group of patients who sustained complications (mean age 49 years). Sixty-six of the 79 subsequently required operation to manage their peripancreatic fluid collection, 37 urgent or emergent. The mean elapsed time from diagnosis to nonoperative intervention was 18.1 days. This group of 79 patients had mean 3.1 +/- 0.7 hospitalization (range, 1-7) and length-of-stay 42.7 +/- 4.1 days. ICU stays were required in 36 of the 79 (46%). A defined episode of clinical sepsis was identified in 72 of 79 (91%) and was by far the most common complication. Hemorrhage requiring transfusion was identified in 16 of the 79 (20%), clinical shock 51 of the 79 (65%), renal failure 16 of the 79 (20%), ventilator support for longer than 24 hours 19 of the 79 (24%). A persistent pancreatic fistula occurred in 66 of the 79 patients (84%); mean duration was 61.4 +/- 9.6 days. Sixty-three of the 79 patients with complications of E or PD had ductal anatomy (ERCP/MRCP) which predicted failure because of significant disruption or stenosis of the main pancreatic duct. Among the 100 operated patients, 69 complications occurred in 6 of the 100 (6%). Operation was initiated electively a mean interval of 42.7 days after diagnosis of pseudocyst. Hemorrhage, hypotension, renal failure, sepsis, persistent fistula, or urgent operation all were not seen in the complications associated with operated patients. CT imaging obtained at least 6 months after intervention documented complete resolution after surgery alone in 91 and 9 with cystic structures less than 2 cm. In patients with operation after failed nonoperative therapy, 6 patients had persistent cystic lesions less than 2 cm in diameter. CONCLUSION: These data support the premise that a choice between operative and nonoperative management for peripancreatic fluid collections and pseudocysts should be made with careful assessment of the pancreatic ductal anatomy, with a clear recognition of the magnitude of complications which are likely to occur should nonoperative measures be used in patients most likely to sustain complications. It is vital to recognize the magnitude and severity of complications of nonoperative measures as one chooses a modality. Ductal anatomy predicts patients who will have complications or failure of management of their peripancreatic fluid collection.     

Improved reduction in pain in chronic pancreatitis with combined intraoperative celiac axis plexus block and lateral pancreaticojejunostomy

PURPOSE:Severe abdominal pain secondary to chronic pancreatitis is often multifactorial in origin. Lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (LPJ) is currently the accepted surgical treatment of choice when the main pancreatic duct is dilated. Chemical ablation of the celiac plexus for the treatment of intractable pain in chronic pancreatitis has been used without clear benefit. The aim of this study is to compare treatment outcomes of 2 groups of patients with the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis and intractable abdominal pain (LPJ alone versus LPJ with intraoperative alcohol celiac ablation).Between 1994 and 1997, 34 patients underwent LPJ to control intractable pain secondary to chronic pancreatitis. These patients were divided into 2 groups, group 1 was LPJ only (16 patients) and group 2 was LPJ and intraoperative celiac ablation with 50% absolute alcohol (18 patients). Preoperative diagnosis and treatment criteria were similar for both groups. The clinical characteristics and outcome of both groups were retrospectively analyzed. Fisher exact test was used for statistical analysis.Demographic characteristics were similar in both groups. Pain control at short- and long-term follow-up was significantly improved in group 2 compared with group 1 (p < 0.035).Intraoperative celiac ablation in addition to LPJ appears to have a better response than does LPJ alone. Even though the number of patients is small, these results provide a basis for pursuing a prospective, randomized study to definitively answer this question.     

Percutaneous catheter drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts.

Pancreatic pseudocysts represent a complication of severe pancreatic inflammatory disease. Although operative drainage is the cornerstone of therapy for pseudocysts, we have undertaken percutaneous catheter drainage in a selected group of 28 patients over a six-year period (1982-88). This represents 42 per cent of pseudocyst patients managed by the senior author and 1.7 per cent of admissions for pancreatitis at the Medical University Hospitals during that period of time. There were 26 men and two women with an age range of 26-66 years (mean = 42.1). Twenty-six patients had alcohol abuse as the cause of pancreatitis; two were due to surgical trauma. Nondilated pancreatic ducts were demonstrated in 25 patients. Six had pancreatic ascites associated with pseudocysts. Four had previous operative drainage (2 internal and 2 external drainage procedures). Five patients received octreotide acetate, a synthetic peptide which mimics the action of somatostatin, in an attempt to aid closure of external fistulas. The mean length of catheter drainage was 48 days (range 7-210 days). Eight (29%) patients developed procedure-related complications (1 pneumothorax, 1 sheared guidewire, six drain tract infections). There was no mortality. Successful resolution of pseudocysts was achieved in 26 patients (93%). Two patients subsequently had elective caudal pancreaticojejunostomy (CPJ), and one lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (LPJ) to drain obstructed pancreatic ducts. One patient has required repeat external drainage. Percutaneous external drainage is successful in pseudocyst eradication. When underlying pancreatic pathology remains uncorrected, elective surgical decompression of obstructed, dilated ducts may be necessary.     

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??Rationality of surgical managements according to the pathological anatomy of chronic pancreatitis GAO Hong-qiao, CAI Meng-shan, MA Yong-su, et al. Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
Corresponding author: YANG Yin-mo, E-mail: yangyinmo@263.net
Abstract Objective To investigate the outcome after surgery directed by pathological anatomy of chronic pancreatitis and provide evidence for surgical procedures. Methods The clinical material of 60 patients with chronic pancreatitis who underwent surgical treatment between 2000 and 2010 were investigated retrospectively. Result 43 cases (71.7%) presented with abdominal pain, Perioperative mortality was 1.7% (1 case). Forty-two patients with abdominal pain were all relieved after surgery, but long-term recurrence occered in 17 cases (40.5%). Modified Puestow procedure was performed on 21 patients with dilatation of pancreatic duct and/or lithiasis, long-term pain recurrence occered in 8 cases (38.1%); Six patients undergoing pancreatic head resection had no recurrence in the long-term follow-up; Pain recurrence rate of 11 cases with only cholangioenterostomy was 81.2% (9 cases) within 2 years. Chronic pancreatitis with common bile duct obstruction occurred in 33 cases(55%), cholangioenterostomy alone or combined with partly pancreatic resection or pancreatic duct drainage procedures could alleviate symptoms of biliary obstruction, 4(33.3%) cases after pure biliary drainage emerged abdominal pain, 5 cases of pancreatic head resection had no recurrence of jaundice and abdominal pain after long-term follow-up. Conclusion Surgical procedures should be selected according to the pathological anatomy of chronic pancreatitis. Reasonable pancreatic head resection and adequate bile and/or pancreatic drainage could significantly improve the long-term outcomes.     

INTERNAL PANCREATIC FISTULAE WITH SEROUS EFFUSIONS IN CHRONIC PANCREATITIS

Background: Serous effusions in chronic pancreatitis are infrequent but persistent. These occur usually as a consequence of internal pancreatic fistulae and commonly involve the pleural cavity or peritoneum. Methods: To assess strategies in operative management, the records of 12 patients who underwent surgery for internal pancreatic fistula with underlying chronic pancreatitis were reviewed retrospectively. Seven patients had pancreatic ductal calculi. Three cases underwent external drainage. Three cases with leaking pseudocysts underwent cystojejunostomy-en-Y. Three cases with ductal dilatation or calculi underwent lateral pancreaticojejunostomy and three patients had caudal pancreatectomy for distal disease. Results: Eight patients were completely controlled of all symptoms, with no sequelae. One case each had recurrent pancreatitis and ascites but did not require re-operation. There were two deaths: one with massive haematemesis and one with pre-existent multi-organ failure and sepsis. Conclusions: Pancreatic duct stones may be causally associated with internal pancreatic fistulae. Delineation of ductal anatomy and pathological aberrations of the pancreas, including determination of the leak site, was of paramount importance in planning surgery. Peroperative ductography proved the most useful in this regard.     

Long-term follow-up in small duct chronic pancreatitis: A plea for extended drainage by "V-shaped excision" of the anterior aspect of the pancreas

BACKGROUND: A pancreatic duct diameter (PDD) ranging from 4 to 5 mm is regarded as "normal." The "large duct" form of chronic pancreatitis (CP) with a PDD >7 mm is considered a classic indication for drainage procedures. In contrast, in patients with so-called "small duct chronic pancreatitis" (SDP) with a PDD <3 mm extended resectional procedures and even, in terms of an "ultima ratio," total pancreatectomy are suggested. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2004, a total of 644 patients were operated on for CP. Forty-one prospectively evaluated patients with SDP underwent a new surgical technique aiming at drainage of the entire major PD (longitudinal "V-shaped excision" of the anterior aspect of the pancreas). Preoperative workup for imaging ductal anatomy included ERCP/MRCP, visualizing the PD throughout the entire gland. The interval between symptoms and therapeutic intervention varied from 12 to 120 months. Median follow-up was 83 months (range, 39-117 months). A pain score as well as a multidimensional psychometric quality-of-life questionnaire was used. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 0%. The perioperative (30 days) morbidity was 19.6%. Postoperative, radiologic imaging showed an excellent drainage of the entire gland and the PD in all but 1 patient. Global quality-of-life index increased in median by 54% (range, 37.5%-80%). Median pain score decreased by 95%. Twenty-seven patients (73%) had complete pain relief. Sixteen patients (43%) developed diabetes, while the exocrine pancreatic function was well preserved in 29 patients (78%). CONCLUSION: "V-shaped excision" of the anterior aspect of the pancreas is a secure and effective approach for SDP, achieving significant improvement in quality of life and pain relief, hereby sparing patients from unnecessary, extended resectional procedures. The deterioration of exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions is comparable with that observed during the natural course of the disease.     

慢性胰腺炎的手术适应证和术式选择

目的提高慢性胰腺炎的外科治疗效果. 方法回顾性总结分析55例慢性胰腺炎外科治疗资料.发病因素:嗜酒5年以上、胆系结石、急性胰腺炎病史分别占38.2%,29.1%和20.0%.主要临床表现:慢性腹痛、梗阻性黄疸、体重减轻、消化不良、糖尿病分别为98.2%,38.2%,34.5%,20.0%和10.9%.全组均因慢性腹痛或伴有胰管和(/或)胆管梗阻、结石、胰腺钙化、肿块、假性囊肿等行外科治疗,共采用了10种术式. 结果无手术死亡和严重并发症.术后效果良好43例(78.2%),症状减轻好转10例(18.2%),无效2例(3.6%). 结论慢性胰腺炎长期慢性腹痛并胰胆管梗阻、结石、肿块、假性囊肿适于外科治疗,应根据病变类型和特点选择不同的术式.胰管梗阻扩张、结石或假性囊肿宜行胰管或囊肿空肠吻合,胰头肿块并胆、胰管梗阻可行胰头十二指肠切除或胆胰管空肠吻合术.     

Pancreatic Duct Strictures: Identifying Risk of Malignancy

Background This study aimed to define PDS characteristics that predict malignancy and would thus invoke further diagnostic evaluation or aggressive treatment.Methods 355 cases of PDS were diagnosed by ERCP during a 7-year period at a single institution. A retrospective review identified clinical/demographic patient data and ERCP results.Results 218 (61%) patients with a PDS were found to have an isolated PDS. Twelve percent of isolated PDS and 79% of CBD stricture-associated PDS were malignant. The sensitivity and specificity for the double duct sign for malignancy were 77% and 80% respectively, and the positive predictive value was 65%. Predictors of malignancy were statistically similar for both isolated PDS and those associated with a CBD stricture. Univariate predictors of malignancy included stricture location in the pancreatic head/neck, jaundice, and patient age. Predictors of benign disease included a history of pancreatitis, the presence of multiple strictures, pancreatic duct stones, pseudocyst, pancreas divisum anatomy, irregular side branches, and irregular pancreatic duct morphology. Less than 1% of patients with either pancreas divisum anatomy, pancreatic duct stones, or pancreatic pseudocyst had malignancy. Using malignancy as the dependent variable, multivariate factors included in the final prognostic equation were history of pancreatitis (odds ratio 0.009 with history of pancreatitis), stricture location in the head or neck (odds ratio 42) and irregular pancreatic duct side branches (odds ratio 0.05 with irregular branches).Conclusions This study demonstrates that certain characteristics of PDS can predict the subset of patients who have an increased risk of cancer.     

Timing of surgical drainage for pancreatic pseudocyst. Clinical and chemical criteria.

Traditional concepts of managing pancreatic pseudocysts have changed with the advent of computerized tomography (CT) and ultrasound scanning, but new misconceptions related to spontaneous resolution have replaced some old ones. This report shows a difference in natural history and treatment requirements when pseudocysts are associated with acute versus chronic pancreatitis. There were 42 consecutive patients with pseudocysts treated over 5 years. Thirty-one were known alcoholics, two had gallstone pancreatitis, and nine had idiopathic pancreatitis. An attack of acute pancreatitis was identifiable within 2 months preceding in 22 patients, but there were only chronic symptoms in 20. Spontaneous resolution of the pseudocyst occurred in three patients (7%), all of whom had recent acute idiopathic pancreatitis, normal serum amylase levels, and pancreatograms showing normal pancreatic ducts freely communicating with the pseudocyst. Factors associated with failure to resolve included known chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic duct changes of chronic pancreatitis, persistence greater than 6 weeks, and thick walls (when seen) on scan. Nearly all (18/19) patients with known chronic pancreatitis had successful internal drainage of the pseudocysts immediately upon admission, whereas 6/20 patients with antecedent acute pancreatitis were found to require external drainage at the time surgery was eventually elected. Isoamylase analysis, performed on serum from 19 patients by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, detected the abnormal pancreatic isoamylase pattern described as "old amylase" in 15. When old amylase was present in the serum, internal drainage was always possible (14/14). In four of five patients whose serum contained no detectable old amylase, internal drainage was not possible regardless of the length of prior observation. There were four nonfatal complications arising from an acute pseudocyst during the wait for maturity. It is concluded that prolonged waiting is expensive and unnecessary for pseudocysts in chronic pancreatitis when there has been no recent acute attack. However, pseudocysts developing after identifiable acute pancreatitis should be observed in the safety of a hospital for up to 6 weeks to allow for either spontaneous resolution or maturation of the cyst wall. The appearance of old amylase in the serum suggests that the pseudocyst wall has achieved sufficient maturity to allow safe internal anastomosis.