EUS-guided drainage of large walled-off pancreatic necroses using plastic versus lumen-apposing metal stents: a single-centre randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: In treating pancreatic walled-off necrosis (WON), lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) have not proven superior to the traditional double pigtail technique (DPT). Among patients with large WON (>15 cm) and their associated substantial risk of treatment failure, the increased drainage capacity of a novel 20-mm LAMS might improve clinical outcomes. Hence, we conducted a study comparing the DPT and 20-mm LAMS in patients with large WON. DESIGN: A single-centre, open-label, randomised, controlled superiority trial using an endoscopic step-up approach in patients with WON exceeding 15 cm in size. The primary endpoint was the number of necrosectomies needed to achieve clinical success (clinical and CT resolution), while the secondary endpoints included technical success, adverse events, length of stay and mortality. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were included in the DPT group and 20 in the LAMS group, with no significant differences in patient characteristics. The median size of WON was 24.1 cm (P25-P75: 19.6-31.1). The technical success rates were 100% for DPT and 95% for LAMS (p=0.48), while clinical success rates were 95.5% and 94.7%, respectively (p=1.0). The mean number of necrosectomies was 2.2 for DPT and 3.2 for LAMS (p=0.42). Five patients (12%) developed procedure-related serious adverse events (DPT=4, LAMS=1, p=0.35). The median length of stay was 43 (P25-P75: 40-67) and 58 days (P25-P75: 40-86) in the DPT and LAMS groups (p=0.71), respectively, with an overall mortality of 4.8%. CONCLUSIONS: For treating large WON, LAMS are not superior to DPT. The techniques are associated with comparable needs for necrosectomy and hospital stay, and no gross difference in adverse events. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04057846.

Disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome and outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound-guided treatment of pancreatic fluid collections: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (DPDS) frequently occurs in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis and resultant pancreatic fluid collection (PFC). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound-guided treatment of PFCs according to the presence of DPDS. METHODS: Using PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane database, we identified clinical studies published until January 2021 with data comparing outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of PFCs between DPDS and non-DPDS patients. We pooled data on technical and clinical success rates, PFC recurrence, and adverse events using the random-effects model. RESULTS: We identified five eligible articles including 941 PFC patients treated with endoscopic ultrasound-guided interventions. Clinical success, defined as resolution of the PFC and symptoms, was achieved in a majority of the cases irrespective of DPDS (pooled odds ratio [OR] comparing DPDS to non-DPDS patients, 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33-1.81). Compared to patients without DPDS, patients with DPDS were more likely to undergo PFC recurrence (pooled OR 6.72; 95% CI 2.72-16.6) after clinical resolution of PFC. Prolonged plastic stent placement following the clinical resolution was more frequently performed in DPDS patients than in non-DPDS patients (pooled OR 15.9; 95% CI 2.76-91.9). No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of the rate of technical success, adverse events, or mortality. CONCLUSION: Disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome was associated with higher rate of PFC recurrence after successful endoscopic treatment of PFCs. Future studies should evaluate effectiveness and optimal duration of long-term placement of transmural plastic stents for PFCs with DPDS.

Non-superiority of lumen-apposing metal stents over plastic stents for drainage of walled-off necrosis in a randomised trial.

OBJECTIVE: Although lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) are increasingly used for drainage of walled-off necrosis (WON), their advantage over plastic stents is unclear. We compared efficacy of LAMS and plastic stents for WON drainage. DESIGN: Patients with WON were randomised to endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage using LAMS or plastic stents. Primary outcome was comparing total number of procedures to achieve treatment success defined as symptom relief in conjunction with WON resolution on CT at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were treatment success, procedure duration, clinical/stent-related adverse events, readmissions, length of hospital stay (LOS) and costs. RESULTS: 60 patients underwent LAMS (n=31) or plastic stent (n=29) placement. There was no significant difference in total number of procedures performed (median 2 (range 2-7) LAMS vs 3 (range 2-7) plastic, p=0.192), treatment success, clinical adverse events, readmissions, LOS and overall treatment costs between cohorts. Although procedure duration was shorter (15 vs 40 min, p<0.001), stent-related adverse events (32.3% vs 6.9%, p=0.01) and procedure costs (US$12 155 vs US$6609, p<0.001) were higher with LAMS. Significant stent-related adverse events were observed ≥3 weeks postintervention in LAMS cohort. Interim audit resulted in protocol amendment where CT scan was obtained at 3 weeks postintervention followed by LAMS removal if WON had resolved. After protocol amendment, there was no significant difference in adverse events between cohorts. CONCLUSION: Except for procedure duration, there was no significant difference in treatment outcomes between LAMS and plastic stents. To minimise adverse events with LAMS, patients should undergo follow-up imaging and stent removal at 3 weeks if WON has resolved. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02685865.

Large-caliber metal stents versus plastic stents for the management of pancreatic walled-off necrosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Symptomatic pancreatic walled-off necrosis (WON) may be managed by endoscopic transmural drainage and endoscopic transmural necrosectomy, with stent placement at endoscopic drainage sites. The optimal stent choice is yet to be determined. We compared outcomes after endoscopic management of WON using either large-caliber fully covered self-expandable metal stents (LC-SEMSs) or double-pigtail plastic stents (DPPSs). METHODS: We performed a retrospective comparison of outcomes among patients who received LC-SEMSs or DPPSs before endoscopic transmural necrosectomy for WON. RESULTS: Among 94 patients included, WON resolution rates did not differ between the DPPS (36 patients) and LC-SEMS (58 patients) groups, whether concomitant percutaneous drainage was considered a failure (75% vs 82.8%; P = .36) or not (91.7% vs 94.8%; P = .55). Of 75 patients (80%) successfully treated without percutaneous drainage, 37 (49%) underwent endoscopic transmural drainage without subsequent endoscopic transmural necrosectomy. WON was more likely to resolve without subsequent endoscopic transmural necrosectomy in the LC-SEMS group than the DPPS group (60.4% vs 30.8%; P = .01). WON resolution without subsequent endoscopic transmural necrosectomy remained more likely with LC-SEMSs (odds ratio, 4.5 [95% confidence interval, 1.5-15.5]) after adjusting for patient age and size and location of WON. Rates of adverse events were similar except for clinically significant bleeding requiring endoscopic intervention, which was higher with DPPSs than LC-SEMSs (14% vs 2%; P = .02). CONCLUSION: Management of pancreatic WON with LC-SEMSs appears to decrease both the need for repeated necrosectomy procedures and the risk of intervention-related hemorrhage.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided placement of plastic vs. biflanged metal stents for therapy of walled-off necrosis: a retrospective single-center series.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Recently, a novel fully covered and biflanged metal stent (BFMS)dedicated to the drainage of walled-off necrosis(WON) was developed. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the safety, efficacy, and cost performance of drainage of WON using the novel BFMS compared with a traditional plastic stent. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 70 patients with symptomatic WON were treated under endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guidance. Initial drainage was conducted using the single gateway technique with placement of one or more plastic stents or a single BFMS.If drainage was unsuccessful,direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN)was performed. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in rates of technical success, clinical success,and adverse events between plastics stents and BFMS, despite the size of WON in the BFMS group being significantly larger than that in the plastic stent group (105.6 vs. 77.1 mm; P=0.003).The mean procedure times for the first EUS-guided drainage and for re-intervention were significantly shorter in the BFMS group than in the plastic stent group (28.8±7.1 vs. 42.6±14.2, respectively,for drainage, P<0.001; and 34.9±8.5 vs.41.8±7.6, respectively, for re-intervention, P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the total cost between plastic stent and BFMS use in the treatment of WON ($5352vs. $6274; P=0.25). CONCLUSIONS: Plastic stents and BFMS were safe and effective for the treatment of WON. In particular,BFMS placement appeared to be preferable for initial EUS-guided drainage and additional reintervention(e.g. DEN) as it reduced the procedure time. Prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted.

Bleeding in acute pancreatitis treated by transcatheter arterial embolization with ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx).

Hemorrhagic complications are usually manifestations of the progress of severe pancreatitis. In major arterial hemorrhage resulting from pancreatic inflammatory disease, visceral angiography is valuable in localizing the site of bleeding, and hemostasis can be achieved by transcatheter arterial embolization. Successful transcatheter embolization of bleeding in the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery using ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx) was performed in a 38-year-old woman with acute biliary necrotic-hemorrhagic pancreatitis.

[Haemophagocytic syndrome as a complication of acute pancreatitis during systemic lupus erythematosus]. / Syndrome hémophagocytaire compliquant une pancréatite aiguë dans le cadre d'un lupus érythémateux systémique.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis and haemophagocytic syndrome (HS) are rarely seen in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report the case of a young female patient without any noteworthy prior history, who was hospitalised for abdominal pain associated with acute pancreatitis possibly related to SLE with associated haemophagocytic syndrome. DISCUSSION: Screening for cutaneous symptoms of lupus in patients with pancreatitis can help avoid diagnostic errors.

Comparative Study Evaluating Lumen Apposing Metal Stents Versus Double Pigtail Plastic Stents for Treatment of Walled-Off Necrosis.

OBJECTIVES: Lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) are increasingly used for direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN) in the management of walled-off necrosis (WON). We compared LAMS and traditional cystoenterostomy in the management of WON. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent DEN for management of WON was performed. Primary outcome was rate of WON resolution. Secondary outcomes included technical and clinical success, time and number of procedures until resolution, requirement for alternative therapy, recurrence, and adverse events. RESULTS: One hundred twelve patients underwent DEN with LAMS (n = 34) or traditional cystoenterostomy (n = 78). Mean WON size was 90.2 × 60.1 mm, and 61.8% had infected necrosis. Overall WON resolution was similar between LAMS and traditional cystoenterostomy (94.1% vs 92.1%, P = 0.510), with similar number of procedures until resolution (1.5 vs 1.5, P = 0.871). The LAMSs were associated with faster resolution (86.9 vs 133.6 days, P = 0.038), lower recurrence (6.3% vs 23.1%, P = 0.032), and decreased requirement for surgery (0% vs 12.8%, P = 0.031) compared with traditional cystoenterostomy, but higher adverse event rates (41.2% vs 7.7%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite higher adverse event rates, initial LAMS cystoenterostomy for management of WON results in faster resolution, lower recurrence, and decreased requirement for surgery.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Necrosectomy of Complex Walled-Off Lateral Necrosis of the Pancreas with the Aid of Laparoscopic Babcock Forceps: A Case Report of an Endoscopic and Radiologic Team Approach.

INTRODUCTION: The initial therapeutic intervention for infected necrotizing pancreatitis usually begins with endoscopic cystogastrostomy for drainage, followed by endoscopic necrosectomy. Endoscopic pancreatic necrosectomy is commonly performed transluminally through transgastric or transduodenal routes. This case describes necrosectomy via a transcutaneous route for laterally located walled-off pancreatic necrosis and the novel use of Babcock forceps for an obstructed fully covered metal stent. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. After multiple admissions and repeated abdominal imaging, she was found to have laterally located, infected, walled-off pancreatic necrosis. Initially, a drainage catheter was placed by an interventional radiologist and was eventually upsized to a 28F catheter. Subsequently, a fully covered metal stent was placed in the gastroenterology suite under fluoroscopic guidance and was used to gain access for percutaneous sessions of necrosectomy. A percutaneous sinus tract endoscopic necrosectomy was performed under direct endoscopic view. However, difficulties occurred with removing necrotic debris even through this large covered stent. Thus, laparoscopic Babcock forceps were used under fluoroscopy to remove lodged debris from the midstent. Repeat abdominal computed tomography scan 3 days after necrosectomy showed near resolution of the walled-off pancreatic necrosis. DISCUSSION: This Babcock technique with endoscopic necrosectomy has not been previously described in the literature, to our knowledge. Babcock forceps were an ideal tool in our case because they were able to gain access to the obstruction in the stent, but the "teeth" are small and dull enough to prevent from catching onto the metal stent mesh.

Lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) versus plastic stents for EUS-guided drainage of walled-off necrosis (WON) (LVPWON): study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided drainage has become the first-line therapy for late peri-pancreatic fluid collection (PFC). Double pigtail plastic stents (DPPS) and lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) are commonly used for PFC drainage. Recently, a multi-institutional consensus on PFC drainage has recommended that LAMS should be the standard care for patients with walled-off necrosis (WON). However, given the poor quality of evidence, we aim to perform a large-scale randomized controlled trial to determine whether LAMS is superior to DPPS for WON drainage. METHODS/DESIGN: The study is an open-label, prospective, parallel-group, superiority, multicenter randomized controlled trial. Two hundred and fifty-six patients with WON who will attend 18 tertiary hospitals in China will be randomly allocated to the LAMS or DPPS group before the procedure. The primary endpoint is the clinical success at one month after drainage (reduction in the size of WON to < 2 cm). Secondary endpoints include technical success, operation time, recurrence, adverse events, and secondary interventions. DISCUSSION: The LVPWON trial is designed to determine whether LAMS is effective, safe, and superior to DPPS for WON drainage. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03027895 . Registered on 14 January 2017.

Minimally invasive endoscopic treatment of necrotizing pancreatitis: A case report with images and review of the literature.

Necrotizing pancreatitis with fluid collections can occur as a complication of acute pancreatitis. The management of these patients depends on the severity and involves multiple medical treatment modalities, as clinical intensive care and surgical intervention. In this article, we show a severe case of walled-off pancreatic necrosis that was conducted by endoscopic drainage with great clinical outcome.

Minimally invasive endoscopic treatment of necrotizing pancreatitis: A case report with images and review of the literature / Tratamento endoscópico minimamente invasivo: relato de caso e revisão da literatura

Summary Necrotizing pancreatitis with fluid collections can occur as a complication of acute pancreatitis. The management of these patients depends on the severity and involves multiple medical treatment modalities, as clinical intensive care and surgical intervention. In this article, we show a severe case of walled-off pancreatic necrosis that was conducted by endoscopic drainage with great clinical outcome.

Resumo Pancreatite necrosante com coleções pode ocorrer como complicação da pancreatite aguda. O manejo desses pacientes depende da gravidade e envolve múltiplas modalidades médicas de tratamento, como terapia clínica intensiva e intervenção cirúrgica. Neste artigo, mostramos um caso grave de necrose pancreática com ótima resolução clínica após drenagem endoscópica.