American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline on the role of endoscopy in the management of chronic pancreatitis: summary and recommendations.

This clinical practice guideline from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) provides an evidence-based approach for the role of endoscopy in the management of chronic pancreatitis (CP). This document was developed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. The guideline addresses effectiveness of endoscopic therapies for the management of pain in CP, including celiac plexus block, endoscopic management of pancreatic duct (PD) stones and strictures, and adverse events such as benign biliary strictures (BBSs) and pseudocysts. In patients with painful CP and an obstructed PD, the ASGE suggests surgical evaluation in patients without contraindication to surgery before initiation of endoscopic management. In patients who have contraindications to surgery or who prefer a less-invasive approach, the ASGE suggests an endoscopic approach as the initial treatment over surgery, if complete ductal clearance is likely. When a decision is made to proceed with a celiac plexus block, the ASGE suggests an EUS-guided approach over a percutaneous approach. The ASGE suggests indications for when to consider ERCP alone or with pancreatoscopy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy alone or followed by ERCP for treating obstructing PD stones based on size, location, and radiopacity. For the initial management of PD strictures, the ASGE suggests using a single plastic stent of the largest caliber that is feasible. For symptomatic BBSs caused by CP, the ASGE suggests the use of covered metal stents over multiple plastic stents. For symptomatic pseudocysts, the ASGE suggests endoscopic therapy over surgery. This document clearly outlines the process, analyses, and decision processes used to reach the final recommendations and represents the official ASGE recommendations on the above topics.

WONDER-02: plastic stent vs. lumen-apposing metal stent for endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts-study protocol for a multicentre randomised non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided transluminal drainage has become a first-line treatment modality for symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts. Despite the increasing popularity of lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs), plastic stents may resolve non-necrotic fluid collections effectively with lower costs and no LAMS-specific adverse events. To date, there has been a paucity of data on the appropriate stent type in this setting. This trial aims to assess the non-inferiority of plastic stents to a LAMS for the initial EUS-guided drainage of pseudocysts. METHODS: The WONDER-02 trial is a multicentre, open-label, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial, which will enrol pancreatic pseudocyst patients requiring EUS-guided treatment in 26 centres in Japan. This trial plans to enrol 80 patients who will be randomised at a 1:1 ratio to receive either plastic stents or a LAMS (40 patients per arm). In the plastic stent group, EUS-guided drainage will be performed using two 7-Fr double pigtail stents. In the LAMS group, the treatment will be performed in the same way except for LAMS use. The step-up treatment will be performed via endoscopic and/or percutaneous procedures at the trial investigator's discretion. The primary endpoint is clinical success, which is defined as a decrease in a pseudocyst size to ≤ 2 cm and an improvement in inflammatory indicators (i.e. body temperature, white blood cell count, and serum C-reactive protein). Secondary endpoints include technical success, adverse events including mortality, pseudocyst recurrence, and medical costs. DISCUSSION: The WONDER-02 trial will investigate the efficacy and safety of plastic stents compared to a LAMS in EUS-guided treatment of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts with a particular focus on the non-inferior efficacy of plastic stents. The findings will help establish a new treatment algorithm for this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06133023 registered on 9 November 2023. UMIN000052647 registered on 30 October 2023. jRCT1032230444 registered on 7 November 2023.

The i-EUS consensus on the management of pancreatic fluid collections - Part 1.

Pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs), including pancreatic pseudocysts (PPs) and walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WON), are common complications of pancreatitis and pancreatic surgery. Historically, the treatment of these conditions has relied on surgical and radiological approaches; however, it has later shifted toward an endoscopy-based approach. With the development of dedicated lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS), interventional Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)-guided procedures have become the standard approach for PFC drainage. However, there is still limited consensus on several aspects of the multidisciplinary management of PFCs. The interventional endoscopy and ultrasound (i-EUS) group is an Italian network of clinicians and scientists with special interest in biliopancreatic interventional endoscopy, especially interventional EUS. This manuscript describes the first part of the results of a consensus conference organized by i-EUS with the aim of providing evidence-based guidance on aspects such as indications for treating PFCs, the timing of intervention, and different technical strategies for managing patients with PFCs.

The 1st i-EUS consensus on the management of pancreatic fluid collections - Part 2.

Pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs), including pancreatic pseudocysts (PPs) and walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WON), are common complications of pancreatitis and pancreatic surgery. Historically, the treatment of these conditions has relied on surgical and radiological approaches. The treatment of patients with PFCs has already focused toward an endoscopy-based approach, and with the development of dedicated lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS), it has almost totally shifted towards interventional Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)-guided procedures. However, there is still limited consensus on several aspects of PFCs treatment within the multidisciplinary management. The interventional endoscopy and ultrasound (i-EUS) group is an Italian network of clinicians and scientists with special interest in biliopancreatic interventional endoscopy, especially interventional EUS. This manuscript focuses on the second part of the results of a consensus conference organized by i-EUS, with the aim of providing evidence-based guidance on several intra- and post-procedural aspects of PFCs drainage, such as clinical management and follow-up.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography for Management of Chronic Pancreatitis.

Management of symptomatic chronic pancreatitis (CP) has shifted its approach from surgical procedures to minimally invasive endoscopic procedures. Increased experience and advanced technology have led to the use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) as a therapeutic tool to provide pain relief and treat CP complications including pancreatic stones, strictures, and distal biliary strictures, pseudocysts, and pancreatic duct fistulas. In this article the authors will discuss the use of ERCP for the management of CP, its complications, recent advancements, and techniques from the most up to date literature available.

Clinical outcomes of acute pancreatitis in elderly patients: An experience of single tertiary center.

BACKGROUND: Although well understanding the course of diseases in geriatric population is of paramount importance in order to provide the optimal treatment, there is only a few studies with controversial results that have been conducted about the course and outcomes of acute pancreatitis (AP) in elderly. We aimed to compare clinical outcomes of AP disease in geriatric age group and to evaluate the risk factors affecting outcomes. METHODS: A total of 336 patients diagnosed with AP, hospitalized and followed-up in our hospital between July/2013-February/2019 were included in this study. Patients aged 65 years and over were assessed as elderly population. Patients' demographic data, comorbidities, duration of hospitalization, local systemic complications, and mortality rates were documented. RESULTS: 196(58.3%) of the patients were female with a mean age of 54.1 ± 17.9 years. The number of patients was 114(33.9%) in the elderly group and 222(66.1%) in the non-elderly group. Although there was no significant difference between both groups in terms of abscess, pseudocyst and necrosis, pancreatic necrosis and systemic complications were higher in the elderly group (p < 0.05). The durations of oral intake and hospitalization were longer, the mortality rate and severity of AP according to the Ranson and Atlanta criteria were significantly higher in the geriatric population (p < 0.05). In addition, age and severity of AP were found to be independent predictive factors of developing complications. CONCLUSIONS: Early recognition of AP is important in the geriatric population. Clinical and laboratory investigations, and early diagnosis in severe patients will be largely helpful in providing close follow-up and the optimal treatment.

Seudoquiste mediastinal y fistulización pleural, excepcional complicación de una pancreatitis / Mediastinal pseudocyst and pleural fistulization, exceptional complication of pancreatitis

Resumen Introducción: Las complicaciones torácicas secundarias a pancreatitis aguda son excepcionales y más aún la presencia de un pseudoquiste mediastinal. Caso Clínico: Hombre de 36 años. Consumidor de marihuana y alcohol. Historia de 6 meses de dolor abdominal y adelgazamiento de 20 kilos. Instalando en la evolución sintomatología respiratoria. Discusión: Se discuten las formas de presentación de esta entidad. Sus etiologías más frecuentes. Se hace énfasis en el rol de la imagenología así como en el análisis del líquido pleural. El enfoque terapéutico es conservador al inicio y en algunos pacientes es quirúrgico en la evolución; con diversas opciones.

Introduction: The thoracic complications secondary to acute pancreatitis are exceptional and even more so the presence of a mediastinal pseudocyst. Case report: 36 year old man. Marijuana and alcohol consumer. History of 6 months of abdominal pain and weight loss of 20 kilos. Installing respiratory symptomatology evolution. Discussion: The forms of presentation of this entity are discussed. Its most frequent etiologies. Emphasis is placed on the role of imaging as well as the analysis of pleural fluid. The therapeutic approach is conservative at the beginning and in some patients it is surgical during evolution; with several options.

Management of pancreatic collections: an update.

Pancreatic fluid collections frequently occur in the context of moderate and severe acute pancreatitis, and may also appear as a complication of chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic surgery or trauma. It is essential to adhere to the Atlanta classification nomenclature that subclassifies them into four categories (acute peripancreatic fluid collections, acute necrotic collections, pseudocysts, and walled-off necrosis) since it has an impact on prognosis and management. Pseudocysts and walled-off pancreatic necrosis are encapsulated pancreatic fluid collections characterized by a surrounding inflammatory wall, which typically develops three to four weeks after the onset of acute pancreatitis. Most pancreatic fluid collections resolve spontaneously and do not require intervention. However, when they become symptomatic or complicated drainage is indicated, and endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage has become first-line treatment of encapsulated collections. Drainage of pseudocysts is relatively straightforward due to their liquid content. However, in walled-off necrosis the presence of solid necrotic debris can make treatment more challenging and therefore multidisciplinary management in experienced centers is recommended, being a step-up approach the current standard of care. In this review, we aim to address the management of pancreatic fluid collections with an especial focus on endoscopic drainage.

Pancreatic fluid collections: Clinical manifestations, diagnostic evaluation and management.

Pancreatic fluid collections (PFC), including pancreatic pseudocysts and walled-off pancreatic necrosis, are a known complication of severe acute pancreatitis. A majority of the PFCs remain asymptomatic and resolve spontaneously. However, some PFCs persist and can become symptomatic. Persistent PFCs can also cause further complications such as the gastric outlet, intestinal, or biliary obstruction and infection. Surgical interventions are indicated for the drainage of symptomatic sterile and infected PFCs. Management of PFCs has evolved from a primarily surgical or percutaneous approach to a less invasive endoscopic approach. Endoscopic interventions are associated with improved outcomes with lesser chances of complications, faster recovery time, and lower healthcare utilization. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of PFCs using lumen-apposing metal stents has become the preferred approach for the management of symptomatic and complicated PFCs.

Two's a Charm: Endoscopic Therapy of Multiple Pancreatic Pseudocysts.

Pancreatic pseudocysts commonly complicate acute pancreatitis. They can evolve either asymptomatically or with important symptoms. Treatment can be surgical, endoscopic, or percutaneous. The authors present a case report of a 78-year-old man who developed symptoms of an acute abdomen during hospitalization. A CT scan showed two pancreatic pseudocysts (diameters 10 cm and 7.5 cm) that were successfully drained endoscopically. Multiple pancreatic pseudocysts can be treated successfully via an endoscopic approach.

Endoscopic versus laparoscopic drainage of pseudocyst and walled-off necrosis following acute pancreatitis: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic fluid collections (PFC) may develop following acute pancreatitis (AP). Endoscopic and laparoscopic internal drainage are accepted modalities for drainage of PFCs but have not been compared in a randomized trial. Our objective was to compare endoscopic and laparoscopic internal drainage of pseudocyst/walled-off necrosis following AP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with symptomatic pseudocysts or walled-off necrosis suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic transmural internal drainage were randomized to either modality in a randomized controlled trial. Endoscopic drainage comprised of per-oral transluminal cystogastrostomy. Additionally, endoscopic lavage and necrosectomy were done following a step-up approach for infected collections. Surgical laparoscopic cystogastrostomy was done for drainage, lavage, and necrosectomy. Primary outcome was resolution of PFCs by the intended modality and secondary outcome was complications. RESULTS: Sixty patients were randomized, 30 each to laparoscopic and endoscopic drainage. Both groups were comparable for baseline characteristics. The initial success rate was 83.3% in the laparoscopic and 76.6% in the endoscopic group (p = 0.7) after the index intervention. The overall success rate of 93.3% (28/30) and 90% (27/30) in the laparoscopic and endoscopic groups respectively was also similar (p = 1.0). Two patients in the laparoscopic group required endoscopic cystogastrostomy for persistent collections. Similarly, two patients in the endoscopic group required laparoscopic drainage. Postoperative complications were comparable between the groups except for higher post-procedure infection in the endoscopic group (19 vs. 9; p = 0.01) requiring endoscopic re-intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic and laparoscopic techniques have similar efficacy for internal drainage of suitable pancreatic fluid collections with < 30% debris. The choice of procedure should depend on available expertise and patient preference.