PERCUTANEOUS CYSTOGASTROSTOMY FOR TREATMENT OF PANCREATIC PSEUDOCYSTS

Cystogastrostomy or cystojejunostomy at open operation has been the usual treatment for symptomatic pancreatic pseudocyst. The aim of this study was to assess prospectively the results of percutaneous cystogastrostomy (PCG) for the treatment of symptomatic pseudocysts. The technique of PCG comprised initially of drainage of the pseudocyst with a 10 Fr percutaneous, transgastric catheter. This initial drainage catheter had two components; the first, between the pseudocyst and the stomach, drained the pseudocyst and the second, between the stomach and exterior, acted as a percutaneous gastrostomy. The initial drain was left in situ for 14 days, at which time it was exchanged percutaneously for the definitive PCG; a double ended Mallecot type catheter that drained between the pseudocyst and the stomach. The latter catheter was left in situ until there was no residual pseudocyst demonstrated on computerized tomography scan and was removed endoscopically. Eleven patients with large (> 6 cm), symptomatic pseudocysts have been treated with PCG. All patients were treated successfully without the need for surgical intervention. The median time to radiological resolution was 24 days. There were four episodes of sepsis, two related to central venous line infections and two related to catheter blockage. Percutaneous cystogastrostomy blockage was managed by either replacing the initial drain or inserting a second catheter. The median follow up after successful treatment was 9 months (range 2–17). There were no symptomatic recurrences and one small (2 cm) asymptomatic recurrent pseudocyst. This preliminary experience with PCG demonstrates the efficacy of this procedure for treating symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts.     

Laparoscopic pancreatic cystgastrostomy

Background/Purpose: Internal drainage of acute pancreatic pseudocysts is indicated after the first 6 weeks of pseudocyst documentation. It is also indicated for symptomatic chronic pseudocysts 6 cm or more in diameter. When a pseudocyst is in close contact with the posterior wall of the stomach, it is best drained by pseudocyst gastrostomy. Methods: Intragastric surgical techniques were used in 18 patients with retrogastric pseudocysts. Intragastric ports were successfully placed in all patients, and the presence of pseudocysts was confirmed by needle aspiration in 17. Results: The intragastric approach was successful in 14 patients. In three cases a small abdominal would 8 cm in length was needed. The reasons for such conversion included uncontrollable bleeding from the cystic wall in two cases and a cystic wall in contact with, but not adherent to, the posterior gastric wall in one. Bleeding was controlled through a gastrotomy, and cystgastrostomy was performed. The wound required for conversion was much smaller than that needed for planned open surgery. These procedures are called laparoscopy-assisted cystgastrostomy. Good short- and long-term results were obtained. One patient, in whom the cystgastrostomy was too small, developed a cyst infection and underwent reoperation. Except for this case, no recurrence was observed, and no further treatment was needed. Conclusions: This experience demonstrates that cystgastrostomy with the intragastric surgical technique is a safe, less invasive procedure for effectively draining a retrogastric pseudocyst. Received: April 20, 2002 / Accepted: May 13, 2002 Offprint requests to: T. Mori     

Laparoscopic pancreatic cystgastrostomy via the lesser sac approach

Laparoscopic cystgastrostomy offers the benefits of a minimally invasive procedure while providing effective drainage for pancreatic pseudocysts. The lesser sac approach to laparoscopic cystgastrostomy provides adequate working space with excellent visualization. This assures meticulous hemostasis, debridement of the cyst, and wide internal drainage of the pancreatic pseudocyst. Additionally, the laparoscopic approach to this difficult problem can be augmented by other minimally invasive therapies. This video outlines the management of a patient with a pancreatic pseudocyst and concomitant splenic vein thrombosis treated with preoperative splenic embolization and laparoscopic cystgastrostomy via the lesser sac approach.     

Conservative treatment as an option in the management of pancreatic pseudocyst

BACKGROUND: Management of pancreatic pseudocysts is associated with considerable morbidity (15-25%). Traditionally, pancreatic pseudocysts have been drained because of the perceived risks of complications including infection, rupture or haemorrhage. We have adopted a more conservative approach with drainage only for uncontrolled pain or gastric outlet obstruction. This study reports our experience. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of 36 patients with pancreatic pseudocysts were treated over an 11-year period in one district general hospital serving a population of 310,000. This study group comprised of 19 men and 17 women with a median age of 55 years (range, 10-88 years). Twenty-two patients had a preceding attack of acute pancreatitis whilst 12 patients had clinical and radiological evidence of chronic pancreatitis. The aetiology comprised of gallstones (16), alcohol (5), trauma (2), tumour (2), hyperlipidaemia (1) and idiopathic (10). RESULTS: All patients were initially managed conservatively and intervention, either by radiological-assisted external drainage or cyst-enteric drainage (by surgery or endoscopy), was only performed for persisting symptoms or complications. Patients treated conservatively had 6 monthly follow-up abdominal ultrasound scans (USS) for 1 year. Fourteen of the 36 patients (39%) were successfully managed conservatively, whilst 22 patients required intervention either by percutaneous radiological drainage (12), by endoscopic cystogastrostomy (1) or by open surgical cyst-enteric anastomosis (9). Median size of the pancreatic pseudocysts in the 14 patients managed conservatively (7 cm) was nearly similar to that of the 22 patients requiring intervention (8 cm). The most common indications for invasive intervention in the 22 patients were persistent pain (16), gastric outlet obstruction (4), jaundice (1) and dyspepsia with weight loss (1). Although one patient required surgery for persistent pain, no other patients required urgent or scheduled surgery for complications of untreated pancreatic pseudocysts. Two of the 12 patients treated by percutaneous radiological drainage had recurrence of pancreatic pseudocysts requiring surgery. Two patients developed an intra-abdominal abscess following cyst-enteric drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts and one patient had a pulmonary embolism. On the mean follow-up of 37.3 months, one patient with alcoholic pancreatitis died 5 months after surgical cyst-enteric bypass. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that many patients with pancreatic pseudocysts can be managed conservatively if presenting symptoms can be controlled.     

Laparoscopic pancreatic cystogastrostomy

The purpose of the review was to evaluate the feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic pancreatic cystogastrostomy for operative drainage of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts. A retrospective review of all patients who underwent laparoscopic pancreatic cystogastrostomy between June 1997 and July 2001 was performed. Data regarding etiology of pancreatitis, size of pseudocyst, operative time, complications, and pseudocyst recurrence were collected and reported as median values with ranges. Laparoscopic pancreatic cystogastrostomy was attempted in 6 patients. Pseudocyst etiology included gallstone pancreatitis (3), alcohol-induced pancreatitis (2), and post-ERCP pancreatitis (1). The cystogastrostomy was successfully performed laparoscopically in 5 of 6 patients. However, the procedure was converted to open after creation of the cystgastrostomy in 1 of these patients. There were no complications in the cases completed laparoscopically and no deaths in the entire group. No pseudocyst recurrences were observed with a median followup of 44 months (range 4-59 months). Laparoscopic pancreatic cystgastrostomy is a feasible surgical treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts with a resultant low pseudocyst recurrence rate, length of stay, and low morbidity and mortality.     

Massive pleural effusion due to pancreatic pseudocyst.

Four patients with massive pleural effusions due to pancreatic pseudocysts who were initially treated conservatively with percutaneous pleural drainage are described. In two patients the pleural effusions and the pancreatic pseudocysts disappeared, but two required surgery, in one case because conservative treatment failed and in the other at a later date for a recurrent pancreatic pseudocyst.     

胰腺假性囊肿的外科治疗：附89例报告

目的：探讨胰腺假性囊肿的治疗策略。方法：回顾性分析近5年湘雅医院普通外科收治的89例胰腺假性囊肿临床资料，根据囊肿部位、形成时间及囊壁厚度，采用非手术治疗20例，经皮囊肿穿刺引流7例，开腹手术62例（外引流8例、内引流45例、囊肿切除9例）。结果： 全组无死亡病例，手术后并发症发生率15.9%，随访3个月至5年，复发率5.6%。结论：胰腺假性囊肿的治疗宜根据情况采用不同方式，非手术治疗适于无并发症者;急诊手术应选择外引流;囊壁成熟者，选择内引流术疗效好。     

Pseudocysts of the pancreas in children

Sixteen children with pancreatic pseudocysts were treated from 1965-1988. Blunt trauma was the etiology of pseudocyst formation in 69 per cent of children with 50 per cent resulting from the abdomen impacting bicycle handlebars. Chronic pancreatitis is an uncommon cause of pseudocyst formation in children. Medical therapy is directed towards reduction of pancreatic stimulation and nutritional support, which are maintained through pseudocyst resolution or maturation. Pseudocysts spontaneously resolved in 25 per cent of patients. Complications occurred in 25 per cent during nonoperative management. Children may safely undergo internal drainage earlier than adults (3-4 weeks vs 6 weeks). Internal drainage by cystoenterostomy was curative in eight patients. Persistent fistula drainage developed for five weeks in one patient who had surgical external pseudocyst drainage. One patient required distal pancreatectomy for a transected pancreatic duct. Spontaneous resolution of psseudocysts while on medical therapy is more frequent in children than in adults, and major complications (abscess formation, hemorrhage, and fistula formation) are usually not encountered. Pseudocyst rupture is the major complication of conservative management. We had no pseudocyst recurrences and 11 of 12 children treated surgically were discharged home within ten days of operation.     

A simple,safe technique for the drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts

Background: A number of methods are available for the drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts, including percutaneous, endoscopic and open approaches. In Leicester, we developed a combined radiological and endoscopic technique (predating the use of endoscopic/ultrasound) to allow drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts into the stomach. The aim of the study was to evaluate the long‐term results of this approach. Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients undergoing combined endoscopic/ultrasound‐guided percutaneous stenting between 1994 and 2007. Data were extracted from case records and our computerised radiology database. Results: Thirty‐seven combined endoscopic/ultrasound‐guided procedures were undertaken. Median patient age was 52 years (range 26–84 years). Nineteen pseudocysts were secondary to acute pancreatitis and 18 were in patients with chronic pancreatitis. The diameter of pseudocysts on pre‐procedure imaging ranged from 4 to 21 cm (median 11 cm). Median duration of hospital stay was 7 days (range 1–44 days) and 30‐day mortality was 0%. Stents were inserted in 70.3% of patients (n= 26). Of those patients stented during the combined procedure, three developed infection of the pseudocyst, necessitating open cystgastrostomy within the first month. During a mean follow‐up period of 41 months, two patients developed recurrent pseudocysts which were successfully drained with a further combined procedure (16 and 43 months). Repeat imaging in the remainder of patients failed to show any evidence of a persistent or recurrent pseudocyst beyond 2 months. Conclusion: Combined radiological and endoscopic drainage is safe, cost‐effective and highly efficient in preventing recurrent pseudocyst formation.     

Stapled laparoscopic cystgastrostomy

Background The goal of this study was to assess the clinical outcome of patients undergoing laparoscopic stapled cystgastrostomy for pancreatic pseudocysts in contact with the posterior wall of the stomach.Methods We performed a case note review of all patients who have undergone stapled laparoscopic cystgastrostomy in Norwich, UK. The cystgastrostomy was fashioned through an anterior gastrotomy using a vascular ETS stapling device in all cases.Results Fifteen patients have undergone stapled laparoscopic cystgastrostomy. The procedure was completed successfully in 12 patients. Three procedures were converted to open surgery for technical reasons. There were no complications due to bleeding from the cystgastrostomy. Early complications included systemic sepsis (one), bleeding gastric ulcer (one) and pseudocyst recurrence due to partial closure of the cystgastrostomy (two). No late recurrences or other complications have been found at a median follow-up of 37 months.Conclusion Stapled laparoscopic cystgastrostomy is a safe and effective procedure for draining pancreatic pseudocysts in contact with the posterior wall of the stomach. The use of a hemostatic stapling device to fashion the cystgastrostomy may reduce the risk of catastrophic hemorrhage from the pseudocyst wall.     

AN AUDIT OF PANCREATIC PSEUDOCYST MANAGEMENT AND THE ROLE OF ENDOSCOPIC PANCREATOGRAPHY

Background : A rational algorithm for the management of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts is necessary with the increasing availability of radiological, surgical and endoscopic methods of treatment. Methods : A retrospective audit of the management and outcome of all patients who presented with symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts to the Auckland Hospital over a 9-year period (1988–96) was made. Results : There were 44 patients (28 men, 16 women; median age 50; range 18–81) in this series. Initial management was not based on pseudocyst size, duration, location, wall thickness, the patients' symptoms and comorbidity, or the aetiology of pancreatitis. Of the 27 patients who had initial conservative management, 15 pseudocysts (56%) completely resolved. Of the 17 patients who were initially or subsequently treated with percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD), 10 pseudocysts (59%) completely resolved without additional treatment. Of the 13 patients initially or subsequently treated by surgery, all but one completely resolved after the first procedure. Two patients were successfully treated with endoscopic pancreatic stent placement. Complications arose in eight patients treated with PCD (47%) and four patients treated with surgery (31%). There was no mortality. The decision for active treatment was not preceded by delineation of the pancreatic duct by ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) in 60% of patients. Conclusions : More than one-third of all patients with symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts can be managed conservatively. Surgery yields excellent results but PCD has a high failure rate in patients with an underlying pancreatic duct stricture. A rational management algorithm is presented, based on pre-intervention ERCP, which should improve patient selection and outcome.     

胰腺假性囊肿诊治体会

回顾性分析近１５年来对２３例胰腺假性囊肿的治疗情况。保守治愈５例,均为近期患急性胰腺炎者;手术治疗１８例,其中外引流１例,内外流１４例,囊肿切除术３例。结果 无手术死亡,外引流术后胰瘘１例,囊肿切除术后复发１例,内引流术后无严重并发症出现。认为急性囊肿应观察６周,有些病例有自行消散的可能,慢性囊肿一经确诊即行内流引治疗,内引流是目前较理想的有效手术方式。     

Effects of long-term parenteral nutrition on the course of pancreatic pseudocyst

The benefit of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for the non-operative treatment of acute pancreatic pseudocyst remains hypothetical benefit. We reviewed results for 40 patients with pancreatic pseudocyst treated with TPN who had had serial imaging studies. On presentation, mean cyst size was 7.4 cm and after non-operative treatment with TPN (mean 32.5 days) the cyst had decreased to 5.6 cm. After the non-operative period, 68% of the pseudocysts had regressed, completely in 14% and partially in 54% of the patients. Except for 1 patient with cyst-related obstructive jaundice, there were no complicated pseudocysts. Only 12 (28%) of the patients underwent cyst drainage. Fifteen patients (35%) sustained catheter-related complications, which included sepsis (26%), pneumothorax (9%), hydropneumothorax (2%), and septic right atrial thrombosis (2%), during the course of hospitalization. Most of the patients treated with TPN showed both clinical and radiographic regression of their pseudocysts. However, the risk of catheter-related complications in this group suggests that this therapy should be limited to those patients who are unable to sustain enteral nutrition.     

Minimally invasive open cystgastrostomy for pancreatic pseudocyst

One of the complications of pancreatitis is pancreatic pseudocyst. Many different techniques have been described for internal drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst. Indication for surgery is either symptomatic or large cysts that can turn into complications such as hemorrhage, obstruction, infection, rupture and malignancy. Our technique includes an incision between 5 cm to 9 cm below the left subcostal margin and the opening of the anterior stomach and a posterior cystgastrostomy performed with a reticulated laparoscopic staple. We have been able to perform surgery in a very large pseudocyst (up to 26 cm) in a small amount of time, within 45 min, and with a shorter length of hospital stay (36 h). In this paper, we present our technique on how to approach large pseudocysts utilizing a minimally invasive small incision.     

Management of pancreatic pseudocysts

BACKGROUND: This review analyses the outcome for patients with acute and chronic pancreatic pseudocysts managed in two major referral centres. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1987 to 1997, 33 patients were treated with either acute (n = 19) or chronic (n = 14) pseudocysts. Procedures performed included cystgastrostomy (64%), cystduodenostomy (6%), cystjejunostomy (3%), distal pancreatectomy with resection of pseudocyst (12%), laparotomy with external drainage (9%), endoscopic transpapillary stenting (3%) and endoscopic pancreatic duct sphincterotomy with percutaneous drainage of the pseudocyst (3%). RESULTS: All patients had resolution of their pseudocyst and no patient developed recurrence. There were no deaths in this series. There was a 9% incidence of major complications and a 21% incidence of minor complications. Outcome was excellent in 63% and good in 27% of patients. Two patients (6%) had persistent chronic pain and one patient (3%) had evidence of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency with malabsorption. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical internal drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts can be performed safely with low morbidity and mortality provided patients are carefully selected and their medical management is optimized. Although minimally invasive techniques now offer a variety of treatment options, open surgical drainage is still indicated for a significant number of cases.     

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.     

Percutaneous drainage of traumatic pancreatic pseudocysts in children

To determine the effectiveness of percutaneous drainage of traumatic pancreatic pseudocysts, we reviewed the courses of 13 children. Six pseudocysts resolved on complete bowel rest and total parenteral nutrition. Seven required further therapy. Two pseudocysts were treated operatively; five were drained percutaneously with fluoroscopic guidance. These five ranged from 5 to 15 cm in diameter and were present for 10 to 42 days (mean, 26 days). In all cases, the cyst fluid was clear, had an amylase level of greater than 40,000 IU/L, and grew no organisms. The pigtail catheters left in place in four of the five children were removed when drainage stopped. Patients were followed by ultrasound while still in the hospital and 1 month after discharge. There were no complications nor any pseudocyst recurrence. Percutaneous drainage of traumatic pancreatic pseudocysts in children is an effective alternative to the standard operative therapy of pseudocystenteric anastomosis.     

Endoscopic transgastric drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst with the use of Nd:YAG laser

Pancreatic pseudocysts have been successfully managed with endoscopic drainage recently. This report describes a case of endoscopic transgastric drainage using endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and an Nd:YAG laser. EUS was used to detect an optimal puncture site of the pseudocyst and to reduce the risk of bleeding and perforation. An Nd:YAG laser was used to minimize the risk of bleeding and to penetrate the thick wall of the pseudocyst. After transgastric cystgastrostomy was performed, an internal stent was placed between the pseudocyst and the stomach. There were no complications associated with endoscopic interventions. Complete resolution of the pseudocyst was observed. Endoscopic transgastric drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts is a recommended approach for selected patients with pancreatic pseudocysts that are uncomplicated and are located adjacent to the stomach. Safe and effective drainage can be achieved without hemorrhage and perforation with the use of EUS, an Nd:YAG laser, and a stent. Furthermore, the Nd:YAG laser facilitated passage through a markedly indurated pseudocyst wall and it seemed to be an effective instrument, especially for pseudocysts with a thick wall.     

超声内镜引导下经胃引流治疗早期胰腺假性囊肿23例

目的 探讨超声内镜引导下经胃引流治疗早期胰腺假性囊肿的疗效.方法 回顾性分析2003至2008年在超声内镜引导下早期经胃穿刺置管引流进行治疗的23例巨大胰腺假性囊肿患者的临床资料.结果 假性囊肿位于胰头部3例,胰体部11例,胰尾部9例,囊肿平均直径11 cm(8～18 cm),均为单发囊性,所有病例在超声内镜引导下经胃引流治疗胰腺假性囊肿,假性囊肿发现至穿刺手术间隔17～65d,平均31 d.2例术后发生囊肿感染,1例改用外引流,另1例改用手术内引流治疗治愈;3例出现消化道出血,保守治疗后治愈.2～3个月后CT复查,6例患者假性囊肿完全消失,余15例患者囊肿明显缩小,所有患者腹胀、腹痛症状缓解.随访1年,无溃疡、出血、囊腔感染等并发症发生.结论 超声引导下早期经胃穿刺置管引流治疗胰腺假性囊肿是安全、有效的.