Video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement for necrotizing pancreatitis: a single center experience in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common and potentially lethal disease. Approximately 10-20% of the patients progress to necrotizing pancreatitis (NP). The step-up approach is the gold standard approach to managing an infected necrotizing pancreatitis with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. Video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD) has been described as a safe and feasible approach with high success rates. Multiple studies in the American, European, and Asian populations evaluating the outcomes of VARD have been published; nevertheless, outcomes in the Latin American population are unknown. This study aims to describe a single-center experience of VARD for necrotizing pancreatitis in Colombia with a long-term follow-up. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted between 2016 and 2024. All patients over 18 years old who underwent VARD for necrotizing pancreatitis were included. Demographic, clinical variables, and postoperative outcomes at 30-day follow-up were described. RESULTS: A total of 12 patients were included. The mean age was 55.9 years old (SD 13.73). The median follow-up was 365 days (P25 60; P75 547). Bile origin was the most frequent cause of pancreatitis in 90.1% of the patients. The mean time between diagnosis and surgical management was 78.5 days (SD 22.93). The mean size of the collection was 10.5 cm (SD 3.51). There was no evidence of intraoperative complications. The mean in-hospital length of stay was 65.18 days (SD 26.46). One patient died in a 30-day follow-up. One patient presented an incisional hernia one year after surgery, and there was no evidence of endocrine insufficiency at the follow-up. CONCLUSION: According to our data, the VARD procedure presents similar outcomes to those reported in the literature; a standardized procedure following the STEP-UP procedure minimizes the requirement of postoperative drainages. Long-term follow-up should be performed to rule out pancreatic insufficiency.

[Surgical strategy for suppurative complications of pancreatic necrosis]. / Vybor khirurgicheskogo dostupa v lechenii gnoinykh oslozhnenii pankreonekroza.

Severe acute pancreatitis is one of the most difficult problems in emergency abdominal surgery. Mortality among patients with this disease ranges from 20 to 80 percent. The use of staged surgical intervention in the treatment of purulent complications of acute severe pancreatitis may affect not only the risk of open surgery, but also the number of post-operative complications. OBJECTIVE: Improving the results of treatment of patients with infected pancreatic necrosis by applying a step by step surgical approach and comprehensive correction of endotoxicosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was retrospectively prospective. All patients were divided into two clinical groups. The control group for the period from 2018 to 2019 included 31 patients for whom the standard surgical tactics of treating pancreatic necrosis were used: laparotomy, necrsecestrectomy and drainage of parapancreatic fluid accumulations, and, if necessary, repeated sanation. The main group included 26 patients, treated from 2019 to 2020. According to the developed step-by-step approach with the application of the correction of endogenous intoxication and enteral insufficiency syndrome. The choice of surgery for the patients of the main group depended on the type of parapancreatic fluid accumulation and included minimally invasive interventions in the first stage and, if necessary, the expansion of the amount of interventions (puncture and drainage under ultrasound control + video assisted retroperitoneal debridement, or ultrasound-controlled puncture and drainage + laparotomy). RESULTS: The effectiveness of the treatment in both groups was determined by changes in blood leukocyte and C-reactive protein values on the day of the operation, as well as on the 2nd, 4th, 6th day of the post-operative period. By the fourth day after the surgery, the main group patients' white blood cell and CRP blood levels were positively lower than in the control group: p=0.0001, t=9.65 and p=0.0001, t=9.02, respectively. Forty-eight hours after the operation, the dynamics of the EIS were determined. In the control group, where standard methods of treating enteral insufficiency were used, there was an increase in the number of patients with II and III degrees of severity, in comparison with patients of the main group (p<0.05). The number of complications of pancreonecrosis of IIIb and IVb of degrees on the Clavien-Dindo scale in patients of the major group was lower than in the control group: χ2=0.00021, p<0.05 and χ2=0.01553, p<0.05, respectively. 10 (32.3%) died in the control group, 2 (7.7%), χ2=0.04739, p<0.05. CONCLUSIONS: The choice of surgical intervention for pancreonecrosis should be determined taking into account the development phase of the disease, the type of location of the purulent-necrotic sinuses, and its delimitation from surrounding tissues. Phased surgical treatment with the initial application of minimally invasive technologies affects the number and severity of post-operative complications as well as the early start of correction of enteric insufficiency syndrome - the early relief of endogenous intoxication.

Utilizing Video-Assisted Retroperitoneal Debridement for Retroperitoneal Abscess Following Penetrating Trauma.

Retroperitoneal abscess as a sequela of penetrating trauma can pose a difficult clinical scenario for surgeons and literature to inform decision making is sparse. It is logical to follow a "step-up" approach applied to other etiologies of infected retroperitoneal fluid collections, such as infected pancreatic necrosis and perinephric abscess. Video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD) is a well-established approach in infected pancreatic necrosis when surgical debridement is warranted. Minimally invasive retroperitoneal approaches have emerged in a broadening range of etiologies and specialties. We describe our experience utilizing VARDs in two patients that developed retroperitoneal abscesses following gunshot injuries to bowel and proximal urinary system. Both failed a conservative approach including antibiotic and percutaneous drains. Rapid improvement and subsequent discharge were observed within days of VARD procedure. We believe VARD to be a viable approach to post-trauma retroperitoneal abscesses when surgical drainage is indicated, and anatomy is favorable.

Video assisted retroperitoneal debridement for infected pancreatic necrosis: A two port approach for difficult access.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: The incidence of acute pancreatitis varies globally, and its rates are increasing. Timely intervention in cases of infected necrosis is crucial to effective management. The landscape of acute pancreatitis management has undergone transformation through adopting a "step-up" strategy, accentuating the shift towards minimally invasive techniques. CASE PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old patient with acute pancreatitis and infected pancreatic necrosis underwent a challenging yet successful treatment using video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement employing a two-port approach facilitated access for an intricate area. The procedure, performed 45 days after admission, effectively reduced peripancreatic collections, demonstrating the efficacy of this approach in managing complex cases of infected pancreatic necrosis. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The management of acute pancreatitis has evolved towards a comprehensive strategy involving early hydration, nutritional support, effective pain management, and interventions. Infected pancreatic necrosis poses a serious complication, with minimally invasive techniques such as video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD) emerging as preferred options. The efficacy and safety of VARD in complex cases are highlighted, although challenges persist, especially in extensive necrosis. CONCLUSION: The VARD procedure, a key component of the step-up approach, exhibits a remarkable safety profile, substantially reducing postoperative complications and mortality compared to open surgical counterparts. However, challenges persist in managing cases of infected Walled-Off Necrosis with deep extension, necessitating carefully considering a minimal-access approach. We report our experience using the VARD in a two-port approach.

Evaluating the role of the Minimal Incision Retroperitoneal Necrosectomy (MIRN) in the management of infected pancreatic necrosis: Experience from a tertiary care center.

Background: The conventional open necrosectomy was associated with high mortality and morbidities like secondary organ failure, incisional hernia, enterocutaneous fistula, and external pancreatic fistula. In acute pancreatitis, collections are primarily confined to the retroperitoneal space. Hence, the retroperitoneal approach can be used to drain the collection and necrotic material. It benefits smaller incisions and better outcomes in terms of morbidity and mortality than the conventional open necrosectomy. This study primarily aims to describe the effects of minimal incision retroperitoneal necrosectomy versus conventional open necrosectomy for treating INP. Moreover, it provides evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of this method. Methods: A single-center retrospective study of the prospectively maintained database from April 2008 to December 2021. Results: A total of 122 patients were included in the study. Seventy-eight patients had an open necrosectomy, 30 had a MIRN, and 14 had a VARD procedure. These three groups were comparable in demographic variables. Preoperative variables like APACHE II at presentation, Modified CTSI, percentage of necrosis, multi-organ failure, time to surgery, and need for preoperative ICU stay were comparable among the three groups. Postoperative mortality was low in the MIRN group{open 35.8 % vs. MIRN 20.5 % vs. VARD 35.7 %, p = 0.066}. The postoperative stay was also significantly low in the MIRN and VARD group {open 23.62 ± 16.61 vs. MIRN 11.77 ± 7.73, VARD 8.86 ± 2.98, p = 0.00}. No significant difference in re-intervention rate, postoperative bleeding, and enterocutaneous fistula. Conclusion: MIRN is a simple and easy-to-adapt procedure for infected pancreatic necrosis in the appropriately selected patient group.

Decreasing use of pancreatic necrosectomy and NSQIP predictors of complications and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Surgical pancreatic necrosectomy (SPN) is an option for the management of infected pancreatic necrosis. The literature indicates that an escalating, combined endoscopic, interventional radiology and minimally invasive surgery "step-up" approach, such as video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement, may reduce the number of required SPNs and ICU complications, such as multiple organ failure. We hypothesized that complications for surgically treated severe necrotizing pancreatitis patients decreased during the period of adoption of the "step-up" approach. METHODS: The American college of surgeons national surgery quality improvement program database (ACS-NSQIP) was used to find SPN cases from 2007 to 2019 in ACS-NSQIP submitting hospitals. Mortality and Clavien-Dindo class 4 (CD4) ICU complications were collected. Predictors of outcomes were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: There were 2457 SPN cases. SPN cases decreased from 0.09% in 2007 to 0.01% in 2019 of NSQIP operative cases (p < 0.001). Overall mortality was 8.5% and did not decrease with time. CD4 complications decreased from 40 to 27% (p < 0.001). There was a 65% reduction in SPN cases requiring a return to the operating room. Multivariate predictors of complications were emergency general surgery (EGS, p < 0.001), serum albumin (p < 0.0001) and modified frailty index (mFI) (p < 0.0001). Multivariate predictors of mortality were EGS (p < 0.0001), serum albumin (p < 0.0001), and mFI (p < 0.04). The mFI decreased after 2010 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: SPNs decreased after 2010, with decreasing CD4 complications, decreasing reoperation rates and stable mortality rates, likely indicating broad adoption of a "step-up" approach. Larger, prospective studies to compare indications and outcomes for "step up" versus open SPN are warranted.

Transabdominal self-expandable metal stent placement as a rescue therapy for drainage of walled-off necrosis.

Video 1CT scan of a walled-off necrosis in the right pararenal space extended to the iliac area.

[Infected necrotizing pancreatitis. Video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement]. / Pancreatitis aguda necrotizante infectada. Desbridamiento retroperitoneal video asistido.

The step-up approach for infected necrotizing pancreatitis, consisting of broad-spectrum antibiotics, drainage followed, if necessary, by minimally invasive necrosectomy, has replaced open surgery as the standard of management. Video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD) is a surgical minimally invasive necrosectomy. This is a 5 cases series (2 female and 3 males) with severe acute pancreatitis and infected pancreatic necrosis who underwent step up approach and VARD. The age ranged from 27 to 60 years old. Al patients had biliary pancreatitis. APACHE II ranged from 16 to 20. The time to percutaneous lumbar drainage ranged from 4 to 7 weeks. There was one complication associated with percutaneous drainage (duodenal fistula) with nonoperative management. All necrotizing pancreatitis had positive cultures. The time to perform VARD ranged from 6 to 10 weeks. One patient required two procedures. There were two type B pancreatic fistulas associated with VARD, managed nonoperatively. There was no mortality. During long-term follow-up two patients were diagnosed with exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency. We conclude that VARD is a safe and effective procedure in patients with infected necrotizing pancreatitis requiring debridement, and with good long-term outcomes.

El tratamiento escalonado de la pancreatitis aguda necrotizante infectada consiste en el uso de antibióticos de amplio espectro, drenaje y necrosectomía mínimamente invasiva, si fuese necesaria. Esto ha reemplazado a la cirugía abierta como el estándar de tratamiento. El desbridamiento retroperitoneal video asistido (VARD), es una forma de necrosectomía quirúrgica mínimamente invasiva. Presentamos una serie de 5 casos (2 mujeres y 3 varones) con pancreatitis aguda grave y necrosis pancreática infectada tratados de forma escalonada y VARD. El rango de edad fue de 27 a 60 años. Todos los pacientes tuvieron pancreatitis de etiología biliar. El rango del APACHE II fue de 16 a 20. El rango del tiempo para el drenaje percutáneo lumbar fue de 4 a 7 semanas. Hubo una complicación del drenaje percutáneo (fistula duodenal) que se resolvió con tratamiento médico. Los cultivos de todas las necrosis fueron positivos. El tiempo para la realización del VARD tuvo un rango de 6 a 10 semanas. Un paciente requirió dos procedimientos. Hubo dos fístulas pancreáticas tipo B asociadas al VARD, que se trataron conservadoramente. No hubo mortalidad. A largo plazo, dos pacientes fueron diagnosticados de insuficiencia pancreática exocrina y endocrina. Concluimos que en los pacientes con necrosis pancreática infectada que requieran desbridamiento, el VARD es una alternativa segura, efectiva y con buenos resultados a largo plazo.

A Step-Up Approach to Infected Abdominal Fluid Collections: Not Just for Pancreatitis.

Background: More than 145,500 abdominal abscesses occur annually in the U.S. Percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) is the primary treatment for clinically significant intra-abdominal collections (IACs), but only approximately 90% of all IACs are treatable with PCD. This leaves a significant number of patients facing long courses of management, including multiple interventions. Minimally invasive debridement techniques are now employed regularly for the treatment of infected necrosis caused by acute pancreatitis. We describe the use of minimally invasive videoscopic debridement techniques employed as part of a "step-up" approach to resolve IACs of other etiologies that are unresponsive to PCD. Methods: Data of all patients undergoing this procedure at a tertiary referral academic center from 2015 to 2017 after failure of different PCD techniques were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Four men and two women, mean age 54.6 years (range 26-70 years), with refractory IACs (mean drainage time 91.3 days; mean number of drainage procedures 4.6) following a variety of surgical interventions and inflammatory conditions underwent either video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement or sinus tract endoscopic debridement with a rigid or flexible endoscope. Technical success was achieved in all cases, and clinical success was observed in five cases. No immediate procedural complications were detected. The mean hospital stay and post-procedure drainage times were 5.5 and 25.2 days, respectively. There were no recurrent IACs. Conclusion: Minimally invasive debridement techniques can safely resolve IACs refractory to standard PCD techniques. Employment of these techniques as part of a step-up approach may reduce the morbidity and duration of drainage for the thousands of patients treated annually who have refractory IACs, whatever their etiology.

Comparison between video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement and small incision pancreatic necrosectomy in infected pancreatic necrosis.

BACKGROUND: Debridement and drainage have always been mainstream treatment for infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN), and the application of minimally invasive necrosectomy is becoming increasingly widespread. However, few studies have compared video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD) and small incision pancreatic necrosectomy (SIPN) individually. Our aim was to compare VARD and SIPN by evaluating outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with IPN who underwent either VARD or SIPN between 2010 and 2019 in China. Data relative to patient demographics, major complications, health care resource utilization and mortality were collected. Statistical analyses used were the two-tailed Student's t-test and the chi-squared test. RESULTS: Of 59 patients, 31 patients underwent SIPN and 28 patients were treated with VARD. SIPN and VARD had similar treatment success and mortality rates. The rate of reintervention due to lack of clinical improvement was significantly lower in the SIPN group (32% versus 61%; P = 0.028). In addition, the length of total hospital stay was 60 days in the SIPN group and 72 days in the VARD group (P < 0.0001) and mean total costs was significantly less in the SIPN group than in the VARD group (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Given the shorter hospitalization period, lower total cost and lower rate of reinterventions, SIPN may be superior to the step-up approach for patients with IPN than for those with VARD.

Minimally Invasive Debridement for Infected Pancreatic Necrosis.

Necrotizing pancreatitis has historically been treated with open necrosectomy, which carries a high morbidity and mortality rate. More recently, there has been a shift towards endoscopic and percutaneous approaches employed as part of a minimally invasive step-up approach. Herein, we describe the technical approaches to video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement and sinus tract endoscopic debridement of pancreatic necrosis. Additionally, we review important patient selection considerations and the strengths and weaknesses of each of the approaches.

Desbridamiento retroperitoneal video asistido: una nueva técnica quirúrgica para una vieja patología, la pancreatitis aguda severa presentación de caso clínico / Video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement: a new surgical technique for an old pathology, severe acute pancreatitis clinical case presentation

INTRODUCCIÓN: el desbridamiento retroperitoneal video asistido (DRVA) es una técnica mínimamente invasiva usada para el tratamiento de la necrosis pancreática infectada (NPI). MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: reporte de caso. RESULTADOS: se presenta un caso de pancreatitis aguda severa tratada con DRVA en una paciente femenina de 43 años, con un cuadro clínico de 5 días de evolución caracterizado por dolor abdominal espasmódico en hipocondrio derecho, de moderada intensidad, irradiado a epigastrio y en cinturón a ambos flancos. La paciente recibió atención privada en dos centros previos al ingreso al nuestro. Al ingreso, en el laboratorio, presenta leucocitosis y desvió izquierdo, amilasémia y lipasémia altas. Se realizaron tomografías contrastadas y punciones guiadas por TAC y DRVA cuando se evidencia necrosis amurallada. Se describe la técnica quirúrgica. Súbitamente la paciente presenta insuficiencia respiratoria y datos compatibles con tromboembolia pulmonar y fallece. CONCLUSIÓN: bajo la visión de terapia escalonada, el desbridamiento retroperitoneal video asistido va ganando adeptos en el manejo de la Pancreatitis Aguda Severa

BACKGROUND: video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD) is a minimally invasive technique used for the treatment of infected necrotizing pancreatitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: case report. RESULTS: a case of severe necrotizing pancreatitis is presented in a 43 years old female patient, with 5 days clinical evolution with spasmodic abdominal pain in epigastrium and right hypochondrium of moderate intensity, irradiated to both flanks in belt. The patient received private care in two centers upon the admission in our hospital. In the laboratory at the admission, she showed leukocytosis and left deviation, high level in amylase and lipase. Contrasted enhanced tomography and guided punctures were realized and VARD were considered when evidence of wall of necrosis was observed in scanner. The surgical technique is described. Suddenly the patient presented acute respiratory failure with massive pulmonary thromboembolism and died. CONCLUSION: under the step-up approach vision, the video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement is gaining popularity in the management of the acute necrotizing pancreatitis

[Video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement : Minimally invasive treatment and long-term results for necrotizing pancreatitis]. / Videoassistiertes retroperitoneales Débridement : Minimalinvasive Therapie und Langzeitverlauf bei nekrotisierender Pankreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Among patients with necrotizing pancreatitis 15-20% develop infected necrosis, which entails mortality rates of up to 20%. Particularly driven by the results of the Dutch Pancreatitis Study Group there has been a paradigm change from open necrosectomy to step-up treatment with initial percutaneous and/or endoscopic drainage followed, if necessary, by minimally invasive retroperitoneal debridement. AIM OF THE STUDY: Description of case series in which patients underwent video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD) including follow-up focused on quality of life. METHODS: Systematic cohort study including all patients who underwent a VARD procedure at the Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery at Aachen University Hospital from 2011 to 2015. Quality of life was recorded using the EORTC QLQ-C 30 questionnaire and compared to a representative sample of the German general population. RESULTS: The VARD procedure was performed in 9 cases, although in 1 case conversion to an open approach due to an acute bleeding was necessary. There was no 30-day and 60-day mortality following VARD. During the postoperative stay no patient required specific treatment for surgical complications. In particular, no enterocutaneous fistula or organ perforation was observed. Regarding the quality of life score there was no significant difference concerning the global health status, compared to the sample from the general population. DISCUSSION: Our data reinforce that a step-up approach in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis is a feasible and safe treatment procedure. For the first time, we could demonstrate satisfactory results in a long-term follow-up including QOL.

Combined totally mini-invasive approach in necrotizing pancreatitis: a case report and systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: Currently, both the step-up approach, combining percutaneous drainage (PD) and video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD), and endoscopic transgastric necrosectomy (ETN) are mini-invasive techniques for infected necrosis in severe acute pancreatitis. A combination of these approaches could maximize the management of necrotizing pancreatitis, conjugating the benefits from both the experiences. However, reporting of this combined strategy is anecdotal. This is the first reported case of severe necrotizing pancreatitis complicated by biliary fistula treated by a combination of ETN, PD, VARD, and endoscopic biliary stenting. Moreover, a systematic literature review of comparative studies on minimally invasive techniques in necrotizing pancreatitis has been provided. CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old patient was referred to our center for acute necrotizing pancreatitis associated with multi-organ failure. No invasive procedures were attempted in the first month from the onset: enteral feeding by a naso-duodenal tube was started, and antibiotics were administered to control sepsis. After 4 weeks, CT scans showed a central walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) of pancreatic head communicating bilateral retroperitoneal collections. ETN was performed, and bile leakage was found at the right margin of the WOPN. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography confirmed the presence of a choledocal fistula within the WOPN, and a biliary stent was placed. An ultrasound-guided PD was performed on the left retroperitoneal collection. Due to the subsequent repeated onset of septic shocks and the evidence of size increase of the right retroperitoneal collection, a VARD was decided. The CT scans documented the resolution of all the collections, and the patient promptly recovered from sepsis. After 6 months, the patient is in good clinical condition. CONCLUSIONS: No mini-invasive technique has demonstrated significantly better outcomes over the others, and each technique has specific indications, advantages, and pitfalls. Indeed, ETN could be suitable for central WOPNs, while VARD or PD could be suggested for lateral collections. A combination of different approaches is feasible and could significantly optimize the clinical management in critically ill patients affected by complicated necrotizing pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis aguda necrotizante infectada. Desbridamiento retroperitoneal video asistido / Infected necrotizing pancreatitis. Video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement

Resumen El tratamiento escalonado de la pancreatitis aguda necrotizante infectada consiste en el uso de antibióticos de amplio espectro, drenaje y necrosectomía mínimamente invasiva, si fuese necesaria. Esto ha reemplazado a la cirugía abierta como el estándar de tratamiento. El desbridamiento retroperitoneal video asistido (VARD), es una forma de necrosectomía quirúrgica mínimamente invasiva. Presentamos una serie de 5 casos (2 mujeres y 3 varones) con pancreatitis aguda grave y necrosis pancreática infectada tratados de forma escalonada y VARD. El rango de edad fue de 27 a 60 años. Todos los pacientes tuvieron pancreatitis de etiología biliar. El rango del APACHE II fue de 16 a 20. El rango del tiempo para el drenaje percutáneo lumbar fue de 4 a 7 semanas. Hubo una complicación del drenaje percutáneo (fistula duodenal) que se resolvió con tratamiento médico. Los cultivos de todas las necrosis fueron positivos. El tiempo para la realización del VARD tuvo un rango de 6 a 10 semanas. Un paciente requirió dos procedimientos. Hubo dos fístulas pancreáticas tipo B asociadas al VARD, que se trataron conservadoramente. No hubo mortalidad. A largo plazo, dos pacientes fueron diagnosticados de insuficiencia pancreática exocrina y endocrina. Concluimos que en los pacientes con necrosis pancreática infectada que requieran desbridamiento, el VARD es una alternativa segura, efectiva y con buenos resultados a largo plazo.

Abstract The step-up approach for infected necrotizing pancreatitis, consisting of broad-spectrum antibiotics, drainage followed, if necessary, by minimally invasive necrosectomy, has replaced open surgery as the standard of management. Video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD) is a surgical minimally invasive necrosectomy. This is a 5 cases series (2 female and 3 males) with severe acute pancreatitis and infected pancreatic necrosis who underwent step up approach and VARD. The age ranged from 27 to 60 years old. Al patients had biliary pancreatitis. APACHE II ranged from 16 to 20. The time to percutaneous lumbar drainage ranged from 4 to 7 weeks. There was one complication associated with percutaneous drainage (duodenal fistula) with nonoperative management. All necrotizing pancreatitis had positive cultures. The time to perform VARD ranged from 6 to 10 weeks. One patient required two procedures. There were two type B pancreatic fistulas associated with VARD, managed nonoperatively. There was no mortality. During long-term follow-up two patients were diagnosed with exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency. We conclude that VARD is a safe and effective procedure in patients with infected necrotizing pancreatitis requiring debridement, and with good long-term outcomes.

Step-up approach and video assisted retroperitoneal debridement in infected necrotizing pancreatitis: A case complicated by retroperitoneal bleeding and colonic fistula.

INTRODUCTION: Infected Necrotizing Pancreatitis carries a high mortality and necessitates intervention to achieve sepsis control. The surgical strategy for proven infected necrosis has evolved, with abandonment of open necrosectomy to a step-up approach consisting of percutaneous drains and Video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD). We present a case that underwent VARD complicated by bleeding and colonic perforation and describe its management. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 38 year-old male with acute pancreatitis developed infected necrotizing pancreatitis. Initial treatment was by percutaneous drainage under radiological guidance and intravenous antibiotics. The infected retroperitoneal necrosis was then debrided using gasless laparoscopy through a mini-incision. Post-operatively, he developed peripancreatic bleeding which was controlled with angioembolisation. He also developed a descending colon fistula which was treated with laparotomy and defunctioning loop ileostomy. He recovered and subsequently had his ileostomy closed twelve months later. The colonic fistula recurred and was treated with endoscopic clips and histoacryl glue injection and finally closed. DISCUSSION: Step-up approach consists of the 3 D's: Delay, drain and debride. VARD is recommended as it is replicable in general surgical units using standard laparoscopic instruments. Bleeding and colon perforation are potential complications which must have multi-disciplinary input, aggressive resuscitation and timely radiologic intervention. Defunctioning ileostomy is recommended to control sepsis in colonic fistulation. Novel fistula closing methods using endoscopic clips and histoacryl glue are potential treatment options. CONCLUSION: Step-up approach and VARD is the new paradigm to treat necrotizing pancreatitis. Complications of bleeding and colon fistula are uncommon and require multi-disciplinary management.

Minimally invasive procedures in severe acute pancreatitis treatment - assessment of benefits and possibilities of use.

INTRODUCTION: Acute pancreatitis (AP) consists of an extremely varied complex of pathological symptoms and clinical conditions, ranging from mild gastric complaints to multi-organ failure resulting in death. AIM: To present the authors' own experience regarding surgical treatment for pancreatic necrosis complicated by infection using different methods, including classic and laparoscopic methods as well as those combined with percutaneous techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period 2007-2010, 34 patients with the diagnosis of severe AP were treated at the Department of General, Gastroenterological and Oncological Surgery, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University. In 7 patients classic necrosectomy with repeated peritoneal flushing was performed (type 1), in 5 patients laparotomy with active drainage (type 2), in 12 video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (type 3), and in 10 only percutaneous drainage methods (type 4). RESULTS: Total duration of hospitalisation was from 10 to 192 days. The highest death rate was observed for type 1 procedures. Significant differences with regard to the absolute number of postoperative complications between different groups were not observed; however, their quality varied. Classic methods were used in patients whose general and local condition was more severe. CONCLUSIONS: When AP and its complications are diagnosed, a suitable method of surgical treatment has to be selected extremely precisely and in an individualised way. Minimally invasive methods used in selected patients provide better outcomes and higher safety superseding classic, open techniques of surgical treatment.

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis: Surgical indications and technical procedures.

Necrosis of pancreatic parenchyma or extrapancreatic tissues is present in 10%-20% of patients with acute pancreatitis, defining the necrotizing presentation frequently associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. During the initial phase of acute necrotizing pancreatitis the most important pillars of medical treatment are fluid resuscitation, early enteral nutrition, endoscopic retrograde colangiopancreatography if associated cholangitis and intensive care unit support. When infection of pancreatic or extrapancreatic necrosis occurs, surgical approach constitutes the most accepted therapeutic option. In this context, we have recently assited to changes in time for surgery (delaying the indication if possible to around 4 wk to deal with "walled-off" necrosis) and type of access for necrosectomy: from a classical open approach (with closure over large-bore drains for continued postoperative lavage or semiopen techniques with scheduled relaparotomies), trends have changed to a "step-up" philosophy with initial percutaneous drainage and posterior minimally invasive or endoscopic access to the retroperitoneal cavity for necrosectomy if no improvement has been previously achieved. These approaches are progressively gaining popularity and morbidity and mortality rates have decreased significantly. Therefore, a staged, multidisciplinary, step-up approach with minimally invasive or endoscopic access for necrosectomy is widely accepted nowadays for management of pancreatic necrosis.

Surgical management of necrotizing pancreatitis: an overview.

Necrotizing pancreatitis is an uncommon yet serious complication of acute pancreatitis with mortality rates reported up to 15% that reach 30% in case of infection. Traditionally open surgical debridement was the only tool in our disposal to manage this serious clinical entity. This approach is however associated with poor outcomes. Management has now shifted away from open surgical debridement to a more conservative management and minimally invasive approaches. Contemporary approach to patients with necrotizing pancreatitis and/or infectious pancreatitis is summarized in the 3Ds: Delay, Drain and Debride. Patients can be managed in the intensive care unit and any intervention should be delayed. Percutaneous drainage can be utilized first and early in the course of the disease, followed by endoscopic drainage or video assisted retroperitoneoscopic drainage if necrosectomy is deemed necessary. Open surgery is now less frequently performed and should be reserved for cases refractory to any other approach. The management of necrotizing pancreatitis therefore requires a multidisciplinary dynamic model of approach rather than being a surgical disease.