Mexican consensus on dyspepsia. / Consenso mexicano sobre la dispepsia.

Since the publication of the 2007 dyspepsia guidelines of the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología, there have been significant advances in the knowledge of this disease. A systematic search of the literature in PubMed (01/2007 to 06/2016) was carried out to review and update the 2007 guidelines and to provide new evidence-based recommendations. All high-quality articles in Spanish and English were included. Statements were formulated and voted upon using the Delphi method. The level of evidence and strength of recommendation of each statement were established according to the GRADE system. Thirty-one statements were formulated, voted upon, and graded. New definition, classification, epidemiology, and pathophysiology data were provided and include the following information: Endoscopy should be carried out in cases of uninvestigated dyspepsia when there are alarm symptoms or no response to treatment. Gastric and duodenal biopsies can confirm Helicobacter pylori infection and rule out celiac disease, respectively. Establishing a strong doctor-patient relationship, as well as dietary and lifestyle changes, are useful initial measures. H2-blockers, proton-pump inhibitors, prokinetics, and antidepressants are effective pharmacologic therapies. H.pylori eradication may be effective in a subgroup of patients. There is no evidence that complementary and alternative therapies are beneficial, with the exception of Iberogast and rikkunshito, nor is there evidence on the usefulness of prebiotics, probiotics, or psychologic therapies. The new consensus statements on dyspepsia provide guidelines based on up-to-date evidence. A discussion, level of evidence, and strength of recommendation are presented for each statement.

Are the clinical guideline recommendations on gastroprotection being followed? A review in patients taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. / ¿Qué tanto se siguen las recomendaciones de las guías clínicas sobre gastroprotección? Una revisión en enfermos que consumen antiinflamatorios no esteroideos.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The chronic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause complications in the gastrointestinal tract. The use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is recommended in high-risk patients to prevent them. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to evaluate the gastroprotection measures taken in persons with chronic NSAID use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The clinical records were reviewed of patients seen as outpatients at the Rheumatology Department over a 4-month period, choosing those with chronic NSAID use, and intentionally looking for gastroprotection measures according to the recommendations published by the American College of Gastroenterology. RESULTS: A total of 417 patients (347 women; mean age: 48.12±14.2 years) were included. The most frequent diagnosis was rheumatoid arthritis (65%). Nine patients (2.1%) had a history of peptic ulcer, 48 (11.5%) patients were 65 years of age or older, 26 (6.2%) patients took NSAIDs and aspirin, and 130 (31.2%) took NSAIDs with steroids. Tests for Helicobacter pylori infection were done in just 53 cases, and there were positive results in only 9 (16%). Some risk for gastrointestinal toxicity was established in 211 cases and only 65 (30.8%) received gastroprotection. In contrast, 31 (15%) patients received gastroprotection when there was no indication for it. CONCLUSION: Prophylaxis with PPIs in chronic NSAID users was inadequately employed. It was not prescribed in the majority of patients (69.2%) and it was used with no justification in others (15%).

The Mexican consensus on irritable bowel syndrome. / Consenso mexicano sobre el síndrome de intestino irritable.

BACKGROUND: Since the publication in 2009 of the Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome of the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología (2009 Guidelines), there have been significant advances in our knowledge of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease. AIMS: To present a consensus review of the most current knowledge of IBS, updating the 2009 Guidelines by incorporating new internationally published scientific evidence, with a special interest in Mexican studies. METHODS: The PubMed literature from January 2009 to March 2015 was reviewed and complemented through a manual search. Articles in English and Spanish were included and preference was given to consensuses, guidelines, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Statements referring to the different aspects of the disease were formulated and voted upon by 24 gastroenterologists employing the Delphi method. Once a consensus on each statement was reached, the quality of evidence and strength of recommendation were determined through the GRADE system. RESULTS: Forty-eight statements were formulated, updating the information on IBS and adding the complementary data that did not appear in the 2009 Guidelines regarding the importance of exercise and diet, diagnostic strategies, and current therapy alternatives that were analyzed with more stringent scientific vigor or that emerged within the last 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: We present herein a consensus review of the most relevant advances in the study of IBS, updating and complementing the 2009 Guidelines. Several studies conducted in Mexico were included.

[Deficient lactose digestion and intolerance in a group of patients with chronic nonspecific ulcerative colitis: a controlled, double-blind, cross-over clinical trial]. / Digestión deficiente e intolerancia a lactosa en un grupo de enfermos con colitis ulcerativa crónica inespecífica: Ensayo clínico controlado, cruzado y doblemente a ciegas.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the fact that the frequency of hypolactasia and lactose intolerance is similar in both chronic idiopathic ulcerative colitis patients and the general population, the elimination of dairy products from the patient's diet is a habitual recommendation. Hypolactasia is common in Mexico, but its relation to chronic idiopathic ulcerative colitis has not been established. AIMS: To evaluate lactose digestion and lactose intolerance in persons with chronic idiopathic ulcerative colitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with confirmed chronic idiopathic ulcerative colitis diagnosis were included in the study (mean: 31 years, range: 15 to 38). Twenty-two patients presented with rectosigmoid involvement and the remaining patients with pancolitis. No patient showed inflammatory activity according to the Truelove-Witts criteria and all consumed dairy products before diagnosis. A prospective, controlled, double-blind, cross-over study was designed. Patients randomly received 12.5 g of lactose or maltose in 250 cc water- each test 72 hours apart - and ydrogen was measured in exhaled air before disaccharide ingestion and then every 30 minutes for 3 hours. Digestion was considered deficient when there was an increase in hydrogen of at least 20 ppm. Symptom intensities were evaluated by Visual Analog Scales before, during, and after the hydrogen test. Differences between the groups were contrasted with the Mann-Whitney U and the Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (46%) presented with deficient lactose digestion. No significant differences were found in the symptoms, extension, or progression of chronic idiopathic ulcerative colitis between patients that could digest and those that could not digest lactose. No patient had symptom exacerbation with the disaccharides used. CONCLUSIONS: Lactose digestion deficiency frequency is similar in subjects with chronic idiopathic ulcerative colitis and in healthy individuals in Mexico. We do not know whether higher doses could have some effect, but symptoms in patients with inactive chronic idiopathic ulcerative colitis were not modified using 12.5 g of lactose/day.

Knowledge of Latin American gastroenterologists and endoscopists regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection. / Conocimiento sobre la infección por SARS-CoV-2 de Gastroenterólogos y Endoscopistas de Latino América.

INTRODUCTION: After the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, the number of patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) has increased exponentially, and gastroenterologists and other specialists most likely will be involved in the care of those patients. AIM: To evaluate the knowledge Latin American gastroenterologists and endoscopists (staff physicians and residents) have about the characteristics of COVID-19, as well as the prevention measures to be taken during endoscopic procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study that included gastroenterologists and endoscopists from 9 Latin American countries. An electronic questionnaire was applied that was designed to evaluate the knowledge of symptoms, risk groups for severe disease, prevention measures, and the reprocessing of endoscopes utilized in patients with COVID-19. RESULTS: Information was obtained from 133 physicians. Ninety-five percent of them correctly identified the most frequent symptoms of the virus, and 60% identified the 3 risk groups for severe disease. Sixty-six percent of those surveyed did not consider it necessary to use standard precautions during endoscopic procedures, and 30% did not consider contact precautions necessary. Forty-eight percent of the participants surveyed were not familiar with the protocol for reprocessing the endoscopes utilized in patients with COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The majority of the gastroenterologists and endoscopists surveyed were familiar with the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and the populations at risk for complications. There was a lack of knowledge about prevention measures (during clinical care and endoscopic procedures) and the reprocessing of endoscopic equipment by 70% and 48%, respectively, of those surveyed. Dissemination and teaching strategies that increase the knowledge of specific biosafety measures must be carried out.

[Crohn's disease of the digestive tract proximal. A rare presentation of an uncommon disease in Mexico]. / Enfermedad de Crohn del tubo digestivo proximal. Una presentación rara de una enfermedadpoco común en México.

UNLABELLED: Although Crohn Disease (CD) can affect any part of the digestive tract its presentation in the upper digestive tract (UDT) is very uncommon. Recently we have seen some patients with CD in UDT. Because our Institute is a third level reference hospital in Mexico, we decided to review all patients with CD looking for those with UDT in order to know their clinical. MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] Clinical records of all patients with histological diagnosis of CD were reviewed. Clinical and biochemical analysis was done in each case. Location of CD was established by endoscopy or radiology methods. Statistical differences were evaluated by Student t test,Fisher exact test and X2 test. RESULTS: The diagnosis of CD was established in 72 patients during the period of study (13 years). Sixty of them had distal CD while lesions in the upper digestive tract were detected in 12 (17%). Clinical parameters that showed statistical differences between patients with UDT and LDT-CD were: Age: 29.8+/-13.8 vs. 49.8+/-17 years (p=0.035), BMI: 19.6+/-3.6 vs. 22.6+/-4.9 kg/m2 (p=0.001) and platelets count: 561.4+/-242 vs. 408+/-165/mm3 (p=0.021), respectively. Patients with UDT-CD had more frequency of dysphagia, odinophagia and oral ulcers when compared with LDT affected patients. Six patients had esophageal involvement, three showed oral lesions,two pharyngeal ulcers and one duodenal ulcer. In all but one patient lesions in the distal part were concomitantly detected. Thus only in one case isolated UDT involvement was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Mexicans patients with UDT-CD were younger, had a lower BMI and a higher platelets count when compared with LDT-CD patients. Solitary lesions in esophagus, stomach and duodenum are rare, occurring only in 1 of the 72 cases (3%). Dysphagia, odinophagia and oral ulcers must be a warning about the possibility of CD in the UDT portions.

[Descriptive analysis about a group of patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis]. / Análisis descriptivo de un grupo de enfermos con pancreatitis aguda recidivante.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) represents a diagnostic and treatment challenge. Although it's real frequency is difficult to establish some works have reported 25-60% prevalence. In most, the etiology is recurrent biliary stones untreated or consumption of alcohol. The information we have about the RAP in our midst is scarce. AIM: To review the clinical characteristics and follow-up of a group of patients with RAP. METHODS: Clinical charts of all patients with AP admitted to our Institute from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 2005 were reviewed. The diagnosis of RAP was established when two o more episodes of AP were documented. In each case clinical, biochemical, imaging, treatment and follow-up until the last visit to our hospital was analyzed. RESULTS: The diagnosis of AP was established in 406 patients. Forty of them had RAP (9.8%). Mean age was 32 years old (13-63). The majority was male (72.5%). A mean of 3.5 episodes of AP was presented for each subject (2-14). High levels of triglycerides (n = 15), alcoholism (n = 11) and gallstones (n = 8) were the most frequent cause of RAP. In some cases more than one factor was presented. In 5 of the 15 subjects with RAP due to hypertriglyceridemia other causes of AP were identified (two alcohol consumption,two idiopathic chronic pancreatitis and one gallstone disease). In three patients with RAP supposedly secondary to alcohol, gallstone disease was diagnosed during the follow-up. All of them were operated on. One has had four events of AP after the cholecistectomy. Four of the 8 subjects submitted to cholecistectomy for RAP associated to gallstone disease have had new episodes of AP: 2 for triglycerides and in two a chronic pancreatitis was diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound or MRI. Two patients died (5%). CONCLUSIONS: This series represents probably the first analysis that exists on PAR in Mexico. The frequency found was 9% and the most common causes were hypertriglyceridemia, chronic alcohol consumption and gallstones.

[Pyoderma gangrenosum peristomal in ulcerative colitis; first report of a case in Mexico]. / Pioderma gangrenoso periestomal en colitis ulcerativa; primer reporte de un caso en México.

Pyoderma gangrenosum is one of the most severe extraintestinal manifestations in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn s disease. This lesion is frequently located on the lower extremities and the torso. Peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum (PPG) is extremely rare. We report the first published patient with PPG and UC in Mexico. PPG occurred six weeks after restorative proctocolectomy. Diagnosis was performed by clinical presentation and biopsy. Ulcer resolution was achieved with oral steroids and local wound care. Patient did not show any recurrence at one year follow-up. We suggest suspecting this illness in all patients with UC who had a restorative proctocolectomy and present difficult management peristomal ulcers.

Is celiac disease better identified through HLA-DQ8 than through HLA-DQ2 in Mexican subjects? / ¿Es posible una mejor identificación de la enfermedad celiaca en sujetos mexicanos por medio de HLA-DQ8 que de HLA-DQ2?

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: A strong genetic association between celiac disease (CD) and the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) has been widely demonstrated. In Europe, the HLA-DQ2 allele is predominant. However, studies in Latin America indicate that HLA-DQ8 could be more frequent. In Mexico, the frequency of those alleles has not been reported in subjects with CD. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the distribution of HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 in Mexican individuals with CD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An exploratory study was conducted on a cohort of 49 subjects with chronic diarrhea. Autoantibodies for CD, duodenal atrophy, and HLA haplotypes were determined. RESULTS: Thirty individuals had CD (23 women, mean age 54.2 ± 15.5 years), 24 (80%) of whom expressed HLA-DQ8, 15 (50%) expressed HLA-DQ2, and 11 (37%) presented with both alleles. However, neither the HLA-DQ2 nor the HLA-DQ8 allele was found in 5 (10%) individuals. In subjects with chronic diarrhea that did not have CD, 12 (63%) presented with HLA-DQ2, and 7 (37%) with HLA-DQ8. Individuals with CD expressed the combinations of the HLA-DQ8/DQ2 alleles (37 vs. 5%) and the HLA-DR4/DQ8 alleles (60 vs. 26%) more frequently than the subjects without CD. CONCLUSIONS: In Mexican subjects with CD, HLA-DQ8 distribution was more frequent than that of HLA-DQ2, indicating a possible similarity to the frequency reported in other Latin American countries. However, given the nature of the present study and its sample size, further conclusions could not be reached.

[Predictive factors for portal hypertension in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis]. / Factores predictores de hipertensión portal en los enfermos con colangitis esclerosante primaria.

BACKGROUND: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is characterized by progressive destruction of bile ducts, which may lead to cirrhosis and portal hypertension. The factors associated with the presence of esophageal varices (EV) and the risk of bleeding have not been well defined. AIM: To determine the factors associated with the presence of EV and risk of bleeding in a cohort of patients with PSC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the demographic, biochemical and endoscopic characteristics, and follow-up of 32 patients with a diagnosis of PSC. All patients underwent endoscopic evaluation to determine the presence of EV at diagnosis and annually during follow-up. RESULTS: There were 24 men (75%) and 8 women (25%). The mean age was 40.2 years (range, 19-66). At diagnosis, none of the patients had a previous history of variceal bleeding and 4 (13%) had EV on endoscopic examination. In bivariate analysis, the factors associated with the presence of EV were: splenomegaly (4/6 vs 0/26; p < 0.001), ascites (2/4 vs 0/24; p < 0.001), thrombocytopenia (96 +/- 27 vs 299 +/- 135 x 10(3), p < 0.001), and hypoalbuminemia (2.4 +/- 0.6 vs 3.5 +/- 0.6 g/dl; p = 0.005). During a mean follow-up period of 7 years (range, 2-15 years), 6 patients developed EV and 7 patients had at least one episode of variceal bleeding. In logistic regression analysis, the factors independently associated with the presence of EV at diagnosis were thrombocytopenia (p = 0.001) and splenomegaly (p = 0.01). The factors associated with variceal bleeding were worsening of liver function (p = 0.01) and splenomegaly (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: There are noninvasive indicators of portal hypertension that could predict the presence of EV and risk of bleeding in patients with PSC. The presence of thrombocytopenia, splenomegaly or worsening of liver function should be detected in these patients, as they could benefit from endoscopic surveillance.

Toxic pseudomembranous colitis in a patient with ulcerative colitis.

UNLABELLED: Toxic colitis is a severe disease that may be caused by several inflammatory and/or infectious diseases. Ulcerative colitis is one of the most frequent causes of toxic colitis in the United States. Toxic megacolon complicating Clostridium difficile colitis is a rare occurrence with significant morbidity and mortality. CASE REPORT: A 52-year-old male presented with rectal bleeding and tenesmus. He had been treated for amebiasis with metronidazole, and had improved. Two weeks later, symptoms recurred, and he was referred to our hospital. A sigmoidoscopy and biopsies demonstrated mucosal ulcerative colitis. He underwent treatment with systemic prednisone, mesalamine, and hydrocortisone enemas with adequate response. He was asymptomatic for 2 months, but later presented with a tender abdomen and rectal bleeding. Plain abdominal and thorax films showed colonic distention and free intraperitoneal air. Emergency laparotomy was performed, and an inflamed and distended colon, with free inflammatory liquid in the peritoneum, was found. A total abdominal colectomy with temporary ileostomy and Hartmann's pouch was performed. The histopathology analysis demonstrated a Clostridium difficile pseudomembranous colitis. CONCLUSION: The presence of toxic megacolon due to Clostridium difficile in patients with ulcerative colitis is a rare complication that may be suspected in patients with initial relapse who are on antibiotics.

Potential harmful effect of iodinated intravenous contrast medium on the clinical course of mild acute pancreatitis.

HYPOTHESIS: A worse clinical outcome might be expected in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) who receive intravenous contrast medium for a nondynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomographic (CECT) study early during hospital admission. DESIGN: Cohort analytic study. SETTING: Tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Of 126 patients with mild AP, 52 patients underwent CECT to establish AP diagnosis (group 1), and the remaining 74 did not (group 2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival and development of local or systemic complications during the hospital stay. Potential confounders were demographic, clinical, and biochemical data, as well as therapeutic measures. The Atlanta classification was used to define local and systemic complications. RESULTS: Mean age, etiology of AP, prognostic score on admission, and pharmacologic treatment were similar between groups. Local and systemic complications were more frequently observed in patients who underwent CECT (odds ratio, 11.4; 95% confidence interval, 2.0-64.8; P =.008). Six patients, all in group 1, developed a pancreatic abscess (odds ratio, 20.8; P =.004). In 5 of them, a second CECT showed more severe AP changes. The association between CECT and abscess development was more apparent in patients with a body mass index of 25 or more and/or nasogastric suction. Six patients in group 1 and 1 in group 2 had systemic complications (odds ratio, 9. 5; P =.01). There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The observed increased incidence of local and systemic complications in patients with mild AP who undergo CECT, particularly in those with a body mass index of 25 or more, suggests a potentially harmful effect of intravenous contrast medium. Until this issue is clarified, it seems reasonable to restrict the use of dynamic CECT to patients with severe AP, protracted clinical course, or suspected local septic complication.

A study with quinfamide in the treatment of chronic amebiasis in adults.

Quinfamide, a luminal amebicide, is a dichloroacetyl quinolol used to treat chronic and subacute intestinal amebiasis. Several previous dose-ranging studies have indicated that quinfamide is effective in a total dose of 300, 600, or 1,200 mg. The present study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of 100- and 200-mg doses, each given three times daily. A cure rate of 100% was found at a dosage of 100 mg/8 hr and of 93.3% at 200 mg/8 hr. These results indicate that quinfamide is an effective luminal amebicide at the doses studied.

Chronic pancreatitis in Mexico City.

The incidence, etiology, clinical characteristics, and long-term outcome of patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) studied at the Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición in a 12-year period were retrospectively analyzed. One hundred fifty cases were identified, with an overall incidence of 4.4 per 1,000 hospital admissions and of 5.4 per 1,000 in the last 6 years. In 68% of the cases, CP was secondary to alcoholism, in 29% it was idiopathic, and in the rest it was secondary to other causes. Overall, 74% of patients had pancreatic calcifications at time diagnosis was established, and 21% were asymptomatic regarding pain. Patients with idiopathic CP had an earlier age of onset than did patients with alcoholic CP, and in addition the former developed symptoms of diabetes or pancreatic exocrine insufficiency less frequently than alcoholic patients did (p less than 0.05). The sex ratio was different in both groups, with a marked male predominance in alcoholic CP and an equal distribution in the idiopathic group. A 30% actuarial mortality was found in the first 10 years after the onset of the disease, which remained the same at 20 years with a tendency to better survival in nonalcoholic patients. Five patients developed pancreatic cancer throughout the study period.

Pancreatic extracellular matrix alterations in chronic pancreatitis.

The proliferation of pancreatic extracellular matrix, which characterizes chronic pancreatitis, has been analysed using immunohistochemistry. The relationship of matrix components to intraductal precipitates and the presence of serum proteins in precipitates were also studied to investigate the suggestion that ductal permeability increases in chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic tissue from organ donors was compared with that from patients with chronic calcifying or chronic obstructive pancreatitis. Frozen sections were labeled with monospecific antibodies to collagen types I, III, pro-III and IV, laminin, fibronectin, IgG, IgA, and IgM and then visualized by indirect immunofluorescence. In chronic pancreatitis, interstitial collagens and fibronectin appeared increased and disorganized in both fibrous tissue and areas that appeared histologically normal. Type IV collagen distribution was abnormal and in some sites was present with interstitial collagen. In addition, intraductal precipitates were shown to contain immunoglobulins, and defects were identified in the duct basal lamina associated with precipitates. These results demonstrate that in chronic pancreatitis interstitial collagens are extensively disorganized, the fibrosis possibly being relatively labile. The presence of serum proteins in intraductal precipitates confirms an increase in ductal permeability, and associated defects in the basal lamina appear to define a route via which serum proteins may enter the intraluminal compartment.

Pain relief in chronic pancreatitis by pancreatico-jejunostomy. An institutional experience.

Effective pain control in chronic pancreatitis can be accomplished by pancreatic resection or decompression. Pancreatico-jejunostomy (PJ) has been reported to be effective for relieving pain in 70-80% of cases. The present study analyzes the authors' long-term results with PJ in the treatment of pancreatic pain. From 1963 to 1993, 49 patients with chronic pancreatitis underwent PJ for uncontrollable pain. General and radiologic characteristics, intraoperative findings and outcome were analyzed. Mean age was 35 +/- 13 years, 34 were male and 15 female. Alcoholic etiology was documented in 23 patients. Multiple pancreatic calcifications were found in 33 patients. Pancreatic biopsy confirmed chronic pancreatitis in all patients. There was one operative mortality, 12 minor, and 4 major complications. In a mean follow-up of 6.5 years, 98% of the total group was found to be free of pain. Pancreatic function remained stable in most patients. PJ is an excellent procedure for pain control that allows stable pancreatic function.

Laparoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts (PPs) has been used in selected cases. The aim of this study is to analyze our results with the laparoscopic technique and to compare them with those of a cohort of patients treated by open surgery during the same time period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients underwent laparoscopic drainage of PPs during a 7-year period [laparoscopic group (LG)]. The type of drainage was chosen according to the size and location of the PP. Demography, surgical details, results, and complications were analyzed and contrasted with those of 6 patients who underwent open drainage [open group (OG)]. RESULTS: All patients presented with mature PPs developed after a documented episode of acute pancreatitis. Mean age of the LG was 42 years (six males and four females). In the OG, mean age was 36 years (five males and one female). Etiology of the pancreatitis was alcoholic in eight patients, biliary in five, toxic in two, and associated with systemic lupus erythematous in one. Laparoscopic procedures included Roux-en-Y cystojejunostomy in four patients, extraluminal cystogastrostomy in four, and intraluminal cystogastrostomy in two. There were no conversions. In the OG, cystogastrostomy was performed in three patients and Roux-en-Y cystojejunostomy in three. One patient in the LG developed upper gastrointestinal bleeding the day after surgery that resolved uneventfully, one patient presented a postoperative abscess that required open drainage, and one patient presented a residual pseudocyst that was treated by endoscopy. Morbidity in the OG included a small bowel obstruction secondary to an internal hernia that required reoperation, pneumonia, and a residual pseudocyst that was treated conservatively in one patient each. At a median follow-up of 22 months (range, 1-72) all patients were asymptomatic with no evidence of recurrent disease by computed tomography scan. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic drainage of PPs is feasible, safe, and effective. Results are similar to those obtained using the open technique.