[Transgastric necrectomy for acute pancreatitis]. / Transgastral'naya nekrektomiya pri ostrom pankreatite.

The review is devoted to transgastric necrectomy in the treatment of infected forms of acute pancreatitis. The authors discuss the indications for transgastric necrectomy and technical features of these interventions (direct endoscopic necrectomy, laparoscopic and open transgastric necrectomy). Numerous studies devoted to results of transgastric necrectomy indicate advisability of this procedure in carefully selected patients and interdisciplinary interaction of various specialists before and after surgery. Regional specialized centers for the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis are necessary for wider introduction of minimally invasive surgical technologies and their personalization.

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.

Unexpected Chylous Ascites During Umbilical Hernia Repair in a Patient with Necrotizing Pancreatitis: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Chylous ascites is defined as the development of lipid-rich ascitic fluid in the peritoneal cavity. The formation of chylous ascites revolves around non-portal-based and portal-based etiologies, and the diagnosis is made via paracentesis revealing an elevated triglyceride level and milky-white appearance. Chylous ascites is often reported as a postoperative complication in surgical procedures, but it has also been documented in cases of cirrhosis, malignancy, and tuberculosis. However, chylous ascites is rarely seen in chronic pancreatitis and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. This report presents the case of a 65-year-old man with a history of necrotizing pancreatitis and portal hypertension amidst an incidental finding of chylous ascites upon elective umbilical hernia repair. CASE REPORT We present the case of a patient with chylous ascites discovered during hernia repair. A 65-year-old man with no alcohol or tobacco use and a history of recurrent episodes of acute necrotizing pancreatitis was admitted for umbilical hernia repair. However, upon entering the abdominal cavity, an enlarging mass of ascitic fluid was encountered and tracked into the hernia sac. The fluid was drained via paracentesis and cytology revealed chylous ascites. The patient was discharged in stable condition and was advised to consume a high-protein, low-fat diet. Postoperative computed topography (CT) demonstrated an unchanged necrotic mass in the head of the pancreas. CONCLUSIONS This report demonstrates that when dealing with unexpected findings, it is important to consider the existence of multiple pathologies as the driving cause. We describe a complex cause of chylous ascites, along with a review of the literature on the relationship between chylous ascites and chronic pancreatitis.

Waterjet pulse lavage as a safe adjunct to video assisted retroperitoneal debridement in necrotising pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgical necrosectomy plays an important role in the management of infected pancreatic necrosis, with a goal of removing debris and debriding necrotic tissue. Pulse lavage is designed to simultaneously hydrostatically debride and remove the infected necrotic tissue with suction. It is also able to remove significant amounts of debris without traumatic manipulation of the necrotic tissue which may be adherent to surrounding tissue and can result in injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: The surgical technique of utilising a waterjet pulse lavage device during the minimally invasive necrosectomy is detailed. Sixteen patients being managed via a step-up approach underwent endoscopic necrosectomy via a radiologically placed drain tract. All sixteen patients were successfully managed endoscopically without conversion to open necrosectomy, and survived their admission. There were no complications associated with the use of the waterjet pulse lavage. CONCLUSION: Waterjet pulse lavage is a useful adjunct in minimally invasive necrosectomy, which reduces the length of the necrosectomy procedure, and facilitates removal of necrotic tissue while minimising the risk of traumatising healthy tissue.

Selection strategy for endoscopic necrosectomy approaches of infected walled-off pancreatic necrosis: Analysis of 101 patients from a single center with long-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic necrosectomy (EN) is a promising minimally invasive approach for treating infected walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN). Multiple EN approaches are currently available, though criteria for selecting the optimal approaches are lacking. We aimed to propose a rational selection strategy of EN and to retrospectively evaluate its safety and effectiveness. METHODS: Altogether 101 patients who underwent EN for infected WOPN at a tertiary hospital between June 2009 and February 2023 were retrospectively included for analysis. Demographic characteristics, details of the EN procedures, procedure-related adverse events, and clinical outcomes were investigated. RESULTS: Among these 101 patients with WOPN, 56 (55.4%) underwent transluminal EN, 38 (37.6%) underwent percutaneous EN, and seven (6.9%) underwent combined approach, respectively. Clinical success was achieved in 94 (93.1%) patients. Seven (6.9%) experienced procedure-related adverse events, and seven (6.9%) died during the treatment period. During a median follow-up of 50 months, 5 (5.3%) of the 94 patients had disease recurrence, 17.0% (16/94) had new-onset diabetes mellitus, and 6.4% (6/94) needed oral pancreatic enzyme supplementation. The clinical success rate, procedure-related adverse event rate, and long-term follow-up outcomes were not significantly different among the three groups. High APACHE-II scores (≥15) and organ failure were identified as factors related to treatment failure. CONCLUSIONS: A selection strategy for EN approaches, based on the extent of necrosis and its distance from the gastrointestinal lumen (using a threshold of 15 mm), is safe and effective for treating infected WOPN in both short-term and long-term outcomes.

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.

The Potential Clinical Benefits of Direct Surgical Transgastric Pancreatic Necrosectomy for Patients With Infected Necrotizing Pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical transgastric pancreatic necrosectomy (STGN) has the potential to overcome the shortcomings (ie, repeat interventions, prolonged hospitalization) of the step-up approach for infected necrotizing pancreatitis. We aimed to determine the outcomes of STGN for infected necrotizing pancreatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational cohort study included adult patients who underwent STGN for infected necrosis at two centers from 2008 to 2022. Patients with a procedure for pancreatic necrosis before STGN were excluded. Primary outcomes included mortality, length of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, new-onset organ failure, repeat interventions, pancreatic fistulas, readmissions, and time to episode closure. RESULTS: Forty-three patients underwent STGN at a median of 48 days (interquartile range [IQR] 32-70) after disease onset. Mortality rate was 7% (n = 3). After STGN, the median length of hospital was 8 days (IQR 6-17), 23 patients (53.5%) required ICU admission (2 days [IQR 1-7]), and new-onset organ failure occurred in 8 patients (18.6%). Three patients (7%) required a reintervention, 1 (2.3%) developed a pancreatic fistula, and 11 (25.6%) were readmitted. The median time to episode closure was 11 days (IQR 6-22). CONCLUSIONS: STGN allows for treatment of retrogastric infected necrosis in one procedure and with rapid episode resolution. With these advantages and few pancreatic fistulas, direct STGN challenges the step-up approach.

Step-up approach for the treatment of infected necrotising pancreatitis: real life data from a single-centre experience with long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: About 20% of patients with acute pancreatitis develop a necrotising form with a worse prognosis due to frequent appearance of organ failure(s) and/or infection of necrosis. Aims of the present study was to evaluate the "step up" approach treatment of infected necrosis in terms of: feasibility, success in resolving infection, morbidity of procedures, risk factors associated with death and long-term sequels. METHODS: In this observational retrospective monocentric study in the real life, necrotizing acute pancreatitis at the stage of infected walled-off necrosis were treated as follow: first step with drainage (radiologic and/or endoscopic-ultrasound-guided with lumen apposing metal stent); in case of failure, minimally invasive necrosectomy sessions(s) by endoscopy through the stent and/or via retroperitoneal surgery (step 2); If necessary open surgery as a third step. Efficacy was assessed upon to a composite clinical-biological criterion: resolution of organ failure(s), decrease of at least two of clinico-biological criteria among fever, CRP serum level, and leucocytes count). RESULTS: Forty-one consecutive patients were treated. The step-up strategy: (i) was feasible in 100% of cases; (ii) allowed the infection to be resolved in 33 patients (80.5%); (iii) Morbidity was mild and rapidly resolutive; (iv) the mortality rate at 6 months was of 19.5% (significant factors: SIRS and one or more organ failure(s) at admission, fungal infection, size of the largest collection ≥ 16 cm). During the follow-up (median 72 months): 27% of patients developed an exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, 45% developed or worsened a previous diabetes, 24% had pancreatic fistula and one parietal hernia. CONCLUSIONS: Beside a very good feasibility, the step-up approach for treatment of infected necrotizing pancreatitis in the real life displays a clinico-biological efficacy in 80% of cases with acceptable morbidity, mortality and long-term sequels regarding the severity of the disease.

Choledochoscopy combined with double-cannula lavage in the treatment of acute pancreatitis with encapsulated necrosis and the analysis of related inflammatory indexes.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the application of choledochoscopy combined with double-cannula lavage in the treatment of acute pancreatitis (AP) with encapsulated necrosis and analyzed related inflammatory indexes. METHODS: Thirty patients with AP with encapsulated necrosis were enrolled and treated with choledochoscopy and double-cannula lavage. Serum white blood cell (WBC), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and related inflammatory indexes were detected before and after surgery. RESULTS: All of the participants who underwent the surgery recovered well and were discharged without serious complications; no deaths occurred. The serum WBC, PCT, and CRP of patients after surgery decreased compared with before the procedure, and the differences in WBC and CRP were statistically significant (P < 0.05); the difference in PCT was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Postoperatively, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels were higher than before surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The surgical method presented herein effectively controlled and alleviated the infection of patients; it also did not increase the risk of infection and can thus be considered a safe and effective surgical method.

Postponed endoscopic necrosectomy results in a lower rate of additional intervention for infected walled-off necrosis.

Although endoscopic necrosectomy (EN) is more frequently used to manage walled-off necrosis (WON), there is still debate over how much time should pass between the initial stent placement and the first necrosectomy. This study aims to determine the effect of performing EN within different timings after placing the initial stent on clinical outcomes for WON. A retrospective study on infected WON patients compared an early necrosectomy within one week after the initial stent placement with a necrosectomy that was postponed after a week. The primary outcomes compared the rate of clinical success and the need for additional intervention after EN to achieve WON resolution. 77 patients were divided into early and postponed necrosectomy groups. The complete resolution of WON within six months of follow-up was attained in 73.7% and 74.3% of patients in both the early and postponed groups. The early group tended to a greater need for additional intervention after EN (26.8% early necrosectomy vs. 8.3% postponed necrosectomy, P = 0.036). Our study does not demonstrate that early necrosectomy is superior to postponed necrosectomy in terms of clinical success rate, total count of necrosectomy procedures, procedure-related complications, length of hospitalization and prognosis. Conversely, patients in the postponed group received fewer additional interventions.

Implementing an electromagnetic tracking navigation system improves the precision of endoscopic transgastric necrosectomy in an ex vivo model.

Endoscopic transgastric necrosectomy is crucial in the management of complications resulting from necrotizing pancreatitis. However, both real-time and visual-spatial information is lacking during the procedure, thereby jeopardizing a precise positioning of the endoscope. We conducted a proof-of-concept study with the aim of overcoming these technical difficulties. For this purpose, a three-dimensional (3D) phantom of a stomach and pancreatic necroses was 3D-printed based on spatial information from individual patient CT scans and subsequently integrated into a silicone torso. An electromagnetic (EM) sensor was adjusted inside the endoscope´s working channel. A software interface enabled real time visualization. The accuracy of this novel assistant system was tested ex vivo by four experienced interventional endoscopists who were supposed to reach seven targets inside the phantom in six different experimental runs of simulated endoscopic transgastric necrosectomy. Supported by endoscopic camera view combined with real-time 3D visualization, all endoscopists reached the targets with a targeting error ranging between 2.6 and 6.5 mm in a maximum of eight minutes. In summary, the EM tracking system might increase efficacy and safety of endoscopic transgastric necrosectomy at the experimental level by enhancing visualization. Yet, a broader feasibility study and further technical improvements are mandatory before aiming at implementation into clinical setting.