Treatment of necrotizing pancreatitis: redefining the role of surgery

[Acute abdomen : What does the nonradiologist expect from the radiologist?]

BACKGROUND

The acute abdomen is a life-threatening condition that demands urgent intervention. The required diagnostics should address the core problem and has to be chosen based upon the diagnostic strength of each diagnostic tool. Modalities with limited discriminating information regarding differential diagnosis have to be avoided. Expectancy and thoughts of the radiologist often differ from the view of the clinician in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVE

The decision about which diagnostic tools are valuable or unnecessary in the emergency setting is made from a surgeon's point of view. Close communication with radiologists is mandatory. We demonstrate the importance of clinical signs and symptoms and their correlation with helpful radiologic diagnostics.

CONCLUSION

The emergency radiologic diagnostic workup of acute abdomen has to be targeted and the radiologist must answer the questions in order to clarify whether an operation is indicated and to help define the surgical strategy. In emergency surgery as in acute abdomen extended diagnostics to reach a decision is a dangerous waste of time and must be avoided at all costs. Therefore close communication with the radiologist is crucial.

Severe Acute Pancreatitis - How Conservative Can We Be?

Background

Acute pancreatitis still is a disease with overall high mortality. Continuously improved understanding of the pathophysiology, however, led to changes in treatment algorithms within the last decades, thus resulting in decreased mortality. This knowledge of acute pancreatitis enabled a new classification system introduced by an international expert panel. This classification system is helpful in initiating treatment strategies which are adapted to the course of acute pancreatitis. Especially the role of surgery experienced a paradigm shift towards a more conservative approach.

Methods

A specific literature search regarding the treatment of acute pancreatitis was performed in the PubMed database, and the results of key studies were compared. Results of these studies are discussed in the context of the most recent international classification system.

Results and Conclusion

Based upon the available data, we can summarize that conservative treatment of acute pancreatitis with pancreatic necrosis is a valid treatment option for selected cases and is associated with reduced mortality compared to more aggressive therapy. However, patients with acute pancreatitis should be treated in experienced centers.

Impact of Laboratory Charge Display Within the Electronic Health Record Across an Entire Academic Medical Center: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

To determine the impact of systemwide charge display on laboratory utilization.

METHODS

This was a randomized controlled trial with a baseline period and an intervention period. Tests were randomized to a control arm or an active arm. The maximum allowable Medicare reimbursement rate was displayed for tests in the active arm during the intervention period. Total volume of tests in the active arm was compared with those in the control arm. Residents were surveyed before and after the intervention to assess charge awareness.

RESULTS

Charge display had no effect on order behavior. This result held for patient type (inpatient vs outpatient) and for insurance category (commercial, government, self-pay). Residents overestimated the charges of tests both before and after the intervention. Many residents failed to notice the charge display in the computerized order entry system.

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of charge display depends on context. Charge display is not always effective.

A Low Impact Approach to Infected Pancreatic Necrosis: Review of a Case Series

BACKGROUND

Infected pancreatic necrosis develops in approximately one third of patients with necrotizing pancreatitis and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality rates. Historically, open necrosectomy has been the mainstay of management for these patients but is in itself a morbid procedure. In recent times, minimally invasive techniques have evolved to allow a less invasive approach to these patients. Percutaneous catheter drainage of infected pancreatic necrosis is a technique that has been demonstrated to be potentially useful in the treatment of this group of patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The aim of this study was to review outcomes and define the technique of percutaneous catheter drainage in patients with infected pancreatic necrosis. All patients with infected pancreatic necrosis were exclusively treated with percutaneous drainage over the study period. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, number and size of drains, drainage technique and drain management, hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, nutritional requirements, and morbidity and mortality data were evaluated for the patient group. Computed tomography (CT) scans were used to assess the progression of the disease process and the effectiveness of the treatment.

RESULTS

There were nine patients with infected pancreatic necrosis in this case series between 2007 and 2012, all of whom were treated with percutaneous catheter drainage alone. The median APACHE II score in the patient group was 11, with a median stay in the ICU of 3 d and median hospital stay of 41 d. On average, nine CT scans were performed per patient during the hospital admission. A median of three drains were inserted per patient, and in the course of the study, it was evident that the larger drain size was the most effective. In eight of the nine patients in the group, complications developed that were both directly and indirectly related to the pancreatitis, but were effectively managed. There were no deaths.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous catheter drainage as a stand-alone intervention is an alternative strategy for infected pancreatic necrosis and can be used with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates in this challenging group of patients.

Mortality indicators and risk factors for intra-abdominal hypertension in severe acute pancreatitis

This study assessed the risk factors associated with mortality and the development of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). To identify significant risk factors, we assessed the following variables in 102 patients with SAP: age, gender, etiology, serum amylase level, white blood cell (WBC) count, serum calcium level, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) score, computed tomography severity index (CTSI) score, pancreatic necrosis, surgical interventions, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Statistically significant differences were identified using the Student t test and the χ (2) test. Independent risk factors for survival were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression. The following variables were significantly related to both mortality and IAH: WBC count, serum calcium level, serum amylase level, APACHE-II score, CTSI score, pancreatic necrosis, pancreatic necrosis >50%, and MODS. However, it was found that surgical intervention had no significant association with mortality. MODS and pancreatic necrosis >50% were found to be independent risk factors for survival in patients with SAP. Mortality and IAH from SAP were significantly related to WBC count, serum calcium level, serum amylase level, APACHE-II score, CTSI score, pancreatic necrosis, and MODS. However, Surgical intervention did not result in higher mortality. Moreover, MODS and pancreatic necrosis >50% predicted a worse prognosis in SAP patients.

Consensus guidelines on severe acute pancreatitis

This Position Paper contains clinically oriented guidelines by the Italian Association for the Study of the Pancreas (AISP) for the diagnosis and treatment of severe acute pancreatitis. The statements were formulated by three working groups of experts who searched and analysed the most recent literature; a consensus process was then performed using a modified Delphi procedure. The statements provide recommendations on the most appropriate definition of the complications of severe acute pancreatitis, the diagnostic approach and the timing of conservative as well as interventional endoscopic, radiological and surgical treatments.

Japanese guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis: Japanese Guidelines 2015

BACKGROUND

Japanese (JPN) guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis were published in 2006. The severity assessment criteria for acute pancreatitis were later revised by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in 2008, leading to their publication as the JPN Guidelines 2010. Following the 2012 revision of the Atlanta Classifications of Acute Pancreatitis, in which the classifications of regional complications of pancreatitis were revised, the development of a minimally invasive method for local complications of pancreatitis spread, and emerging evidence was gathered and revised into the JPN Guidelines.

METHODS

A comprehensive evaluation was carried out on the evidence for epidemiology, diagnosis, severity, treatment, post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis and clinical indicators, based on the concepts of the GRADE system (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). With the graded recommendations, where the evidence was unclear, Meta-Analysis team for JPN Guidelines 2015 conducted an additional new meta-analysis, the results of which were included in the guidelines.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine questions were prepared in 17 subject areas, for which 43 recommendations were made. The 17 subject areas were: Diagnosis, Diagnostic imaging, Etiology, Severity assessment, Transfer indication, Fluid therapy, Nasogastric tube, Pain control, Antibiotics prophylaxis, Protease inhibitor, Nutritional support, Intensive care, management of Biliary Pancreatitis, management of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome, Interventions for the local complications, Post-ERCP pancreatitis and Clinical Indicator (Pancreatitis Bundles 2015). Meta-analysis was conducted in the following four subject areas based on randomized controlled trials: (1) prophylactic antibiotics use; (2) prophylactic pancreatic stent placement for the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis; (3) prophylactic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis; and (4) peritoneal lavage. Using the results of the meta-analysis, recommendations were graded to create useful information. In addition, a mobile application was developed, which made it possible to diagnose, assess severity and check pancreatitis bundles.

CONCLUSIONS

The JPN Guidelines 2015 were prepared using the most up-to-date methods, and including the latest recommended medical treatments, and we are confident that this will make them easy for many clinicians to use, and will provide a useful tool in the decision-making process for the treatment of patients, and optimal medical support. The free mobile application and calculator for the JPN Guidelines 2015 is available via http://www.jshbps.jp/en/guideline/jpn-guideline2015.html.

Endoscopic transgastric versus surgical necrosectomy in infected pancreatic necrosis

Surgical necrosectomy, but is still associated with a high morbidity. Indications of the endoscopic route, a new less invasive technique are not defined yet. To compare characteristics and clinical outcome of patients treated by the two techniques, a bi-centric retrospective comparison of 21 patients treated by surgical necrosectomy in one center (group S) with 11 patients treated in another center by endoscopic transgastric necrosectomy (group E) was performed. Clinical severity scores were significantly higher in group S although CT severity score did not differ between groups. Acute postoperative complications including pancreatic fistula occurred more frequently in group S (86% vs. 27%, P=0.002). ICU and hospital length of stay were higher in group S (84 vs. 4 days; P=0.008 and 58 vs. 15 days; P=0.005 respectively). Long-term complication did not differ between groups. Compared to surgery, endoscopic necrosectomy exhibited lower rate of complications and reduced hospital length of stays. Endoscopic transgastric necrosectomy appears as a safe and effective procedure and has to be included in the therapeutic algorithm of infected pancreatic necrosis.

Retroperitoneoscopic Anatomical Necrosectomy

Background. Video-assisted retroperitoneal necrosectomy is a minimally invasive surgical technique for the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis. This study evaluated the safety and feasibility of a modified single-stage video-assisted retroperitoneal necrosectomy, retroperitoneoscopic anatomical necrosectomy (REAN). Methods. Between September 2010 and May 2012, a total of 17 patients with infected necrotizing pancreatitis underwent REAN. The surgical procedures were similar to retroperitoneoscopic pancreatectomy, in which 3 trocars are utilized. Briefly, the perirenal space was entered through the posterior pararenal space. Dissection proceeded from posterior to anterior direction to expose the dorsal side of the perirenal fascia. This was opened to reach the anterior perirenal space, where the peripancreatic abscess was located. Necrotic tissue was then debrided and catheter drainage was performed in a single stage. Results. Operating time ranged from 45 to 100 minutes with minimal blood loss. All patients recovered except for one who died. Major perisurgical complications included peritoneal injury (1 patient), splenic vein injury (1 patient), retroperitoneal infection with paralytic ileus (1 patient), hydrothorax and atelectasis (2 patients), and subcutaneous cellulitis beneath the incision (3 patients). Two patients required additional percutaneous catheter drainage, and 1 patient required a laparotomy to debride the remaining necrotic tissue. Postoperative hospital stay ranged from 21 to 64 days. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that REAN, a modified single-stage video-assisted retroperitoneal approach, was safe and feasible for the treatment of infected necrotizing pancreatitis. The advantages of this procedure include direct access with shorter operating time, complete necrotic tissue debridement, easy hemostasis, simple manipulation, and easy drainage.

Surgical and interventional management of complications caused by acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders worldwide. It requires acute hospitalization, with a reported annual incidence of 13 to 45 cases per 100000 persons. In severe cases there is persistent organ failure and a mortality rate of 15% to 30%, whereas mortality of mild pancreatitis is only 0% to 1%. Treatment principles of necrotizing pancreatitis and the role of surgery are still controversial. Despite surgery being effective for infected pancreatic necrosis, it carries the risk of long-term endocrine and exocrine deficiency and a morbidity and mortality rate of between 10% to 40%. Considering high morbidity and mortality rates of operative necrosectomy, minimally invasive strategies are being explored by gastrointestinal surgeons, radiologists, and gastroenterologists. Since 1999, several other minimally invasive surgical, endoscopic, and radiologic approaches to drain and debride pancreatic necrosis have been described. In patients who do not improve after technically adequate drainage, necrosectomy should be performed. When minimal invasive management is unsuccessful or necrosis has spread to locations not accessible by endoscopy, open abdominal surgery is recommended. Additionally, surgery is recognized as a major determinant of outcomes for acute pancreatitis, and there is general agreement that patients should undergo surgery in the late phase of the disease. It is important to consider multidisciplinary management, considering the clinical situation and the comorbidity of the patient, as well as the surgeons experience.

A contemporary series of patients undergoing open debridement for necrotizing pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

For patients with acute pancreatitis complicated by infected necrosis, minimally invasive techniques have taken hold without substantial comparison with open surgery. We present a contemporary series of open necrosectomies as a benchmark for newer techniques.

METHODS

Using a prospective database, we retrospectively identified consecutive patients undergoing debridement for necrotizing pancreatitis (2006 to 2009). The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight patients underwent debridement for pancreatic/peripancreatic necrosis. In-hospital mortality was 8.8% (n = 6). Infection (n = 43, 63%) and failure-to-thrive (n = 13, 19%) comprised the most common indications for necrosectomy. The false negative rate (FNR) for infection of percutaneous aspirate was 20.0%. Older age (P = .02), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score upon admission (P = .03) or preoperatively (P < .01), preoperative intensive care unit admission (P = .01), and postoperative organ failure (P = .03) were associated with mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Open debridement for necrotizing pancreatitis results in a low mortality, providing a useful comparator for other interventions. Given the high FNR of percutaneous aspirate, debridement should not be predicated on proven infection.

Surgical versus nonsurgical treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis: more arguments to change the paradigm

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to compare primary surgical versus nonsurgical treatment in a series of patients with infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) and to investigate whether the success of nonsurgical approach is related to a less severe disease.

METHODS

Thirty-nine consecutive patients with IPN have been included and further subdivided into two groups: primary surgical (n = 21) versus nonsurgical (n = 18). Outcome measures were the differences in mortality, morbidity, and pancreatic function. Comorbidity, organ failure, and other severity indexes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Mortality occurred in 16.7% of cases in the nonsurgical group versus 42.9% in the surgical group. In the primary nonsurgical group, seven were operated on due to failure of initial conservative treatment. In this latter group, mortality was 28.6% and was performed significantly later than in the primary surgical group. The group of primary surgical treatment was associated with a significant higher rate of multiple organ failure (MOF) at IPN diagnosis, new onset or worsening of organ failure, and MOF and nosocomial infection after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Initial nonsurgical approach in IPN is associated with better results both in cases which respond to this treatment as well as in those who, failing this conservative approach, have to be operated on after a delayed period. Primary surgically treated patients had a more severe disease at the time of IPN.

Clinical features and outcomes of patients with severe acute pancreatitis complicated with gangrenous cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

The effects of gangrenous cholecystitis (GC) and consequent surgical interventions on the clinical outcomes and prognosis of patients with severe acute pancreatitis are not clear. The present study was to characterize the clinical outcomes of patients with severe acute pancreatitis complicated with GC.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 253 consecutive patients hospitalized for acute pancreatitis in intensive care unit. Among them, 68 were diagnosed as having severe acute pancreatitis; 10 out of the 68 patients had GC. We compared these 10 patients with GC and 58 patients without GC. The indices analyzed included sepsis/septic shock, pancreatic encephalopathy, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute renal failure, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and death.

RESULTS

Specific CT images of GC in patients with severe acute pancreatitis included enlarged and high-tensioned gallbladder, wall thickening, lumenal emphysema, discontinuous and/or irregular enhancement of mucosa, and pericholecystic effusion. The rates of severe sepsis/septic shock (70.0% vs 24.1%, P<0.01), pancreatic encephalopathy (50.0% vs 17.2%, P<0.05), acute respiratory distress syndrome (90.0% vs 41.4%, P<0.01), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (70.0% vs 24.1%, P<0.01), acute renal failure (40.0% vs 27.6%, P<0.05), and death (40.0% vs 13.8%, P<0.05) were significantly higher in patients with GC than in those without GC.

CONCLUSION

CT scans can help to identify early GC in patients with severe acute pancreatitis; early diagnosis and intervention for patients with GC can reduce morbidity and mortality.

Efficacy of conservative treatment, without necrosectomy, for infected pancreatic necrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Conservative treatment (intensive care, a combination of antimicrobial agents, and nutritional support, with or without drainage of the infected fluid) has recently been shown to be effective for patients with infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN), but the data from individual studies are not robust enough to recommend it as the standard of care. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies related to primary conservative management for IPN.

METHODS

We performed a literature search of MEDLINE/PubMed from January 1990 to March 2012 for studies of a priori protocols for primary conservative treatment, without necrosectomy, for consecutive patients with IPN. We analyzed data from 8 studies, comprising 324 patients with IPN who received primary conservative management. We then analyzed an additional 4 studies (comprising 157 patients) that reported the efficacy of percutaneous drainage in nonconsecutive patients with IPN. Outcome measures were the success of conservative management strategy, need for necrosectomy, and mortality.

RESULTS

There was significant heterogeneity in results among the studies. Based on a random effects model, conservative management was successful for 64% of patients (95% confidence interval [CI], 51%-78%); mortality was 12% (95% CI, 6%-18%), and 26% of patients required necrosectomy or additional surgery for complications (95% CI, 15%-37%). A separate analysis of 4 studies that reported outcomes of nonconsecutive patients with IPN following percutaneous drainage had comparable results; 50% had successful outcomes (95% CI, 43%-58%), mortality was 18% (95% CI, 6%-30%), and 38% of patients required surgery (95% CI, 20%-56%).

CONCLUSIONS

Conservative management without necrosectomy is a successful approach for 64% of patients with IPN. This approach has low mortality and prevents surgical necrosectomy.