Long-term results after endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts: A single-center experience

Ultrasound-guided endoscopic drainage for the management of pancreatic pseudocysts: A case report

BACKGROUND

The treatment strategy for pancreatic pseudocysts (PPC) is comprehensive and warrants multidisciplinary participation. However, at present, the treatment concepts for PPC are inconsistent. Moreover, the timing of interventional therapy is unclear, and complication management is insufficient. Therefore, the development of a multidisciplinary expert consensus on PPC is warranted. At present, endoscopic treatment is recommended for managing PPC in American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline and Chinese Consensus guidelines.

CASE SUMMARY

In this study, we present a rare case of PPC identified by endoscopy and imaging examination, and successfully managed by endoscopic and percutaneous drainage. In detail, an obese patient with a history of recurrent pancreatitis presents an irregular, elliptical cystic low-density shadow in the pancreatic region. Endoscopic ultrasound combined with double knife incision technique was used to endoscopic drainage, resulting in a favorable prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound-guided endoscopic drainage for the management of PPC may provide additional insights to current clinical guidelines.

Consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic pseudocyst and walled-off necrosis from a Chinese multiple disciplinary team expert panel

Objective

To prepare a set of practice guidelines to standardize the entire process, from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up, for pancreatic pseudocysts and walled-off necrosis.

Methods

Thirty-six experts in the fields of digestive endoscopy, pancreatic surgery, interventional radiology, and others presented their opinions via discussions in online conferences by referring to the patient, intervention, comparison, and outcomes principles and then reviewed the evidence and statements using the Delphi method to reach a consensus. The consensus of >80% was finally achieved for the items.

Results

The experts discussed and reached a consensus on 29 statements including 10 categories: (1) definition and classification, (2) imaging and endoscopic diagnosis, (3) therapeutic implications, (4) surgical therapy, (5) percutaneous catheter drainage, (6) endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, (7) EUS-guided drainage, (8) stent selection for EUS-guided drainage, (9) complication related to stents for cyst drainage, and (10) drug treatment and follow-up.

Conclusion

This consensus based on the clinical experience of experts in various fields and international evidence-based medicine further standardizes the multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment processes for pancreatic pseudocysts and walled-off necrosis.

Efficacy and safety of long-term indwelling plastic stents after resolution of pancreatic fluid collections with endoscopic transmural drainage: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) may recur after resolution with endoscopic transmural drainage (ETD) and standard stent removal (SSR). Herein, we compared the efficacy and safety of leaving long-term indwelling plastic stents (LTIS) vs. standard stent removal after PFC resolution with ETD.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Cochrane databases from inception to September 2022. Full-text articles comparing long-term (> 6 months) outcomes of LTIS and SSR were eligible, as well as single-arm studies with ≥ 10 patients with LTIS. Two independent reviewers selected studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Measured outcomes included the following: (A) PFC recurrence; (B) interventions for PFC recurrence; (C) technical success; and (D) adverse events (AEs). Meta-analysis was carried out using random-effects models.

RESULTS

We included 16 studies, encompassing 1285 patients. Compared to SSR after PFC resolution with ETD, LTIS was associated with significantly lower risk of PFC recurrence (3% vs. 23%; OR 0.22 [95%CI 0.09-0.52]; I2 = 45%) and need for interventions (2% vs. 14%; OR 0.35 [95%CI 0.16-0.78]; I2 = 0%). The superiority of LTIS on reducing PFC recurrence was found with walled-off necrosis, with or without disconnected pancreatic duct, and with placement of ≥ 2 LTIS. When using LTIS, the pooled proportion of AEs was 8% (95%CI 4-11%) and technical success was 93% (95%CI 86-99%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that LTIS after PFC resolution with ETD is feasible, safe, and superior to SSR in reducing the risk of PFC recurrence and need for interventions.

Risk of recurrence with or without plastic stent after EUS-guided treatment of peripancreatic fluid collections: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and study aims Recent advances in endoscopic transmural treatment have improved the clinical outcomes of patients with pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs). However, there is still a debate about the preventive effect of long-term placement of a transmural plastic stent (PS) on recurrence after successful endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided treatment of PFCs. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate PFC recurrence rates with and without a transmural PS after EUS-guided treatment. Patients and methods A systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane database was conducted to identify clinical studies comparing outcomes with and without transmural PS published until September 2022. Data on PFC recurrence and adverse events (AEs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Results Nine studies including 380 patients with long-term transmural PS and 289 patients without PS were identified. The rate of PFC recurrence was significantly lower in patients with transmural PS (pooled odds ratio [OR] = 0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.08-0.65], P = 0.005). In a subgroup analysis limited to studies focusing on patients with disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome, which has been reported to be a risk factor for PFC recurrence, the OR was numerically lower than that for the entire cohort (OR = 0.14, 95% CI [0.04-0.46]). The rate of AEs was significantly higher with long-term transmural PS (OR = 14.77, 95% CI [4.21-51.83]). Conclusions In this meta-analysis, long-term PS placement reduced the risk of PFC recurrence. Given the potential AEs of indwelling PS, further research is required to evaluate the overall benefits of long-term PS placement.

Complications of chronic pancreatitis prior to and following surgical treatment: A proposal for classification

BACKGROUND

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a long-lasting disease frequently associated with complications for which there is no comprehensive pathophysiological classification.

AIM

The aims of this study were to: Propose a pathophysiological classification of the complications of CP; evaluate their prevalence in a surgical cohort prior to, and following surgical management; and assess the impact of the surgical treatment on the occurrence of new complications of CP during follow-up. We hypothesized that optimal surgical treatment can resolve existing complications and reduce the risk of new complications, with the exclusion of pancreatic insufficiency. The primary outcomes were prevalence of complications of CP at baseline (prior to surgical treatment) and occurrence of new complications during follow-up.

METHODS

After institutional review board approval, a prospective observational cohort study with long-term follow-up (up to 20.4 years) was conducted. All consecutive single-center adult patients (≥ 18 years of age) with CP according to the criteria of the American Pancreas Association subjected to surgical management between 1997 and 2021, were included. The prevalence of CP complications evaluated, according to the proposed classification, in a surgical cohort of 166 patients. Development of the pathophysiological classification was based on a literature review on the clinical presentation, course, and complications of CP, as well a review of previous classification systems of CP.

RESULTS

We distinguished four groups of complications: Pancreatic duct complications, peripancreatic complications, pancreatic hemorrhages, and pancreatic insufficiency (exocrine and endocrine). Their baseline prevalence was 20.5%, 23.5%, 10.2%, 31.3%, and 27.1%, respectively. Surgical treatment was highly effective in avoiding new complications in the first and third groups. In the group of peripancreatic complications, the 15-year Kaplan-Meier prevalence of new complications was 12.1%. The prevalence of pancreatic exocrine and endocrine insufficiency increased during follow-up, being 66.4% and 47.1%, respectively, at 15 years following surgery. Pancreatoduodenal resection resulted optimal results in avoiding new peripancreatic complications, but was associated with the highest rate of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

CONCLUSION

The proposed complication classification improves the understanding of CP. It could be beneficial for clinical decision making, as it provides an opportunity for more comprehensive judgement on patient's needs on the one hand, and on the pros and cons of the treatment under consideration, on the other. The presence of complications of CP and the risk of development of new ones should be among the main determinants of surgical choice.

Clinical study on cystogastrostomy and Roux-en-Y-type cystojejunostomy in the treatment of pancreatic pseudocyst: A single-center experience

ABSTRACT

The main purpose is to compare the efficacy of cystogastrostomy (CG) and Roux-en-Y-type cystojejunostomy (RCJ) in the treatment of pancreatic pseudocyst (PPC), and to explore the risk factors of recurrence and complications after internal drainage.Two hundred eight patients undergoing either CG or RCJ for PPC Between January 1, 2013and February 1, 2019, at West China Hospital of Sichuan University were retrospectively analyzed. The cure rate, complication rate and related factors were compared between the 2 groups.Two hundred eight patients with PPC underwent either a CG (n = 119) or RCJ (n = 89). The median follow-up time was 42.7 months. Between the 2 cohorts, there were no significant differences in cure rate, reoperation rate, and mortality (all P > .05). The operative time, estimated intraoperative blood loss, install the number of drainage tubes and total expenses in CG group were lower than those in RCJ group (all P < .05). The Logistic regression analysis showed that over twice of pancreatitis' occurrence was were independent risk factor for recurrence after internal drainage of PPC (OR 2.760, 95% CI 1.006∼7.571, P = .049). Short course of pancreatitis (OR 0.922, 95% CI 0.855∼0.994, P = .035), and RCJ (OR 2.319, 95% CI 1.033∼5.204, P = .041) were independent risk factors for complications after internal drainage of PPC.Both CG and RCJ are safe and effective surgical methods for treating PPC. There were no significant differences in cure rate, reoperation rate, and mortality between the 2 groups, while the CG group had a short operation time, less intraoperative bleeding and less cost.

A Comparison of Endoscopic Versus Surgical Creation of a Cystogastrostomy to Drain Pancreatic Pseudocysts and Walled-Off Pancreatic Necrosis in 5500 Patients

Objective

To determine the success, morbidity, and mortality rates of endoscopic and surgical creation of pancreatic cystenterostomies for the drainage of peripancreatic fluid collections, pseudocysts with necrotic debris, and walled-off pancreatic necrosis.

Summary Background Data

Endoscopic methods of cystenterostomy creation to drain pancreatic pseudocysts (with and without necrotic debris) and infected peripancreatic fluid collections are perceived to be less morbid than surgery. Contemporary reports document a very high complication rate with endoscopic methods.

Methods

A meta-analysis of 5500 patients.

Results

Open and laparoscopic surgical techniques to drain chronic pancreatic pseudocysts, infected pancreatic fluid collections, and walled-off pancreatic necrosis are more successful with less morbidity and mortality than endoscopic methods.

Conclusions

In regards to a surgical step-up approach to treat chronic infected pancreatic fluid collections or walled-off pancreatic necrosis, surgical creation of a cystenterostomy is more successful with fewer complications than endoscopic methods and should be given priority if less invasive or conservative methods fail.

Management of pancreatic pseudocysts in pediatric oncology patients

BACKGROUND

Management of children with pancreatic pseudocysts has historically been adopted from the adult experience where pancreatic pseudocysts greater than 6 cm are unlikely to resolve without intervention. We reviewed the clinical course of pediatric oncology patients with pancreatic pseudocysts.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients treated over a 15-year period was performed. Variables evaluated included cancer type, medications administered, clinical and imaging characteristics of the pancreatic pseudocysts, treatment and outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 132 patients with a median age of 13 (IQR, 9-17) years were identified with pancreatitis. Thirty-one (23.5%) patients developed a pancreatic pseudocyst, of which 84% were associated with PEG-asparaginase treatment. The median pseudocyst size was 7.6 (IQR, 4.4-9.9) cm with 59% being greater than 6 cm. Twenty-two (71%) patients with a pancreatic pseudocyst underwent successful conservative management, while only 9 (29%) required procedural intervention including six percutaneous drainage, one of whom recurred and required surgical cyst-enteric drainage. Two other patients had primary surgical cyst-enteric drainage and one patient underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with stenting. The indication for intervention was worsening pain rather than pseudocyst imaging characteristics, size or serum amylase/lipase.

CONCLUSION

Most medication-induced pancreatic pseudocysts in children being treated for cancer, regardless of pseudocyst size, can be managed non-operatively or with transgastric percutaneous drainage. The need for intervention can be safely dictated by patient symptoms.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Management of pancreatic pseudocysts-A retrospective analysis

Background

Pancreatic pseudocysts arise mostly in patients with alcohol induced chronic pancreatitis causing various symptoms and complications. However, data on the optimal management are rare. To address this problem, we analysed patients with pancreatic pseudocysts treated at our clinic retrospectively.

Methods

We searched our clinical database for the diagnosis pancreatitis from 2004 till 2014, selected patients with pseudocysts larger than 10 mm and entered all relevant information in a database for statistical analysis.

Results

In total, 129 patients with pancreatic pseudocysts were treated at our institution during the study period. Most patients suffered from alcohol induced chronic pancreatitis (43.4%; 56/129). Pseudocysts were more frequent in female than in male (2:1) and were mainly located in the pancreatic head (47.3%; 61/129). Local complications like obstructive jaundice were associated with the diameter of the cysts (AUC 0.697 in ROC-curve analysis). However, even cysts up to a diameter of 160 mm can regress spontaneously. Besides a lower re-intervention rate in surgically treated patients, endoscopic, percutaneous and surgical drainage are equally effective. Most treatment related complications occur in large pseudocysts located in the pancreatic head.

Conclusion

Conservative management of large pseudocysts is successful in many patients. Therefore, indication for treatment should be made carefully considering the presence and risk of local complications. Endoscopic and surgical drainage are equally effective.