Fluoroscopy-assisted vs fluoroless endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural drainage of pancreatic fluid collections: A comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: The need for fluoroscopy guidance in patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural drainage (EUS-TMD) of peripancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) remains unclear. AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare general outcomes of EUS-TMD of PFCs under fluoroscopy (F) vs fluoroless (FL). METHODS: This is a comparative study with a retrospective analysis of a prospective and consecutive inclusion database at a tertiary centre, from 2009 to 2015. All patients were symptomatic pseudocyst (PSC) and walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WON). Two groups were assigned depending on availability of fluoroscopy. The groups were heterogeneous in terms of their demographic characteristics, PFCs and procedure. The main outcome measures included technical and clinical success, incidences, adverse events (AEs), and follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty EUS-TMD of PFCs from 86 EUS-guided drainages were included during the study period. Group F included 26 procedures, PSC 69.2%, WON 30.8%, metal stents 61.5% (46.1% lumen-apposing stent) and plastic stents 38.5%. Group FL included 24 procedures, PSC 37.5%, WON 62.5%, and metal stents 95.8% (lumen-apposing stents). Technical success was 100% in both groups, and clinical success was similar (F 88.5%, FL 87.5%). Technical incidences and intra-procedure AEs were only described in group F (7.6% and 11.5%, respectively) and none in group FL. Procedure time was less in group FL (8min, p=0.0341). CONCLUSIONS: Fluoroless in the EUS-TMD of PFCs does not involve more technical incidences or intra-procedure AEs. Technical and clinical success was similar in the two groups.

Analgesia with continuous wound infusion of local anesthetic versus saline: Double-blind randomized, controlled trial in hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Surgical wound is source of pain in hepatectomy with laparotomy. Continuous wound infusion of ropivacaine may provide effective analgesia. METHODS: This prospective, randomized trial, patients scheduled for hepatectomy received a 48-h preperitoneal continuous wound infusion of either 0.23% ropivacaine or 0.9% saline at 5 ml/h. Primary endpoint was 48 h morphine consumption. RESULTS: 53 patients included in the ropivacaine group and 46 in the saline group. Morphine consumption was 24.63 mg in the ropivacaine group, and 26.78 mg (p = 0.669) in the saline group. Pain was comparable between groups and there were no differences in solid food intake, ambulation, or length of hospital stay. No local or systemic complications were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous wound infusion with ropivacaine is safe, but it neither reduced morphine consumption nor enhanced recovery in patients undergoing hepatectomy. Success of enhanced recovery in hepatectomy is not influenced by the analgesic regimen if pain is well controlled.