Endoscopic removal of a migrated cystogastrostomy double pigtail stent through a pancreatico-duodenal fistula tract

Complications of endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural drainage of pancreatic fluid collections and their management

The development of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage techniques and lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) has markedly reduced the complication rate of endoscopic transmural drainage of pancreatic collections and made these procedures safer and more effective. Despite its improved safety profile, various types of complications, some even life-threatening, can occur after EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections. Stent maldeployment/migration, bleeding, gastrointestinal perforation, and air embolism are important complications of EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic collections. Delayed complications weeks after the procedure, such as bleeding and buried LAMS due to the presence of prolonged indwelling transmural stents, have also been described. Careful patient selection, with proper assessment of the size, solid necrotic content and location of the collection, as well as an in-depth understanding of various risk factors that predict complications, are important for a safer and more effective endoscopic transmural drainage. For a better clinical outcome, it is important for the endoscopist to know about various complications of EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic collections, as well as their appropriate management strategies.

Delayed, diffuse acute peritonitis secondary to misplacement of a cystogastrostomic "pigtail" drain in an outpatient after discharge

Background and aim of the work: Pancreatic pseudocyst endoscopic drainage by pancreatogastrostomy “pigtail” drain placement is spreading worldwide, with high success-rate and low morbidity, and is increasingly performed as outpatient procedure. The paper reports an unusual very early complication of this procedure and discusses the peculiar aspects of this event in an outpatient setting. Methods: The first case of a 56-year-old outpatient developing a postoperative diffused acute peritonitis by gastric juice spilling caused by the misplacement of the distal end of two transgastric drains not reaching the pseudocyst is reported. As the case was programmed as outpatient and acute peritonitis symptoms occurred eight hours postoperatively, the patient was discharged and rehospitalized. A review of the literature of rare perforative complications of pancreatogastrostomy is performed. Results: CT scan allowed the prompt diagnosis, as it showed massive pneumoperitoneum, free fluid collection, and pigtail drain misplacement. Emergency laparoscopy allowed the removal of the two misplaced drains and gastric reparation. The procedure lasted 65 minutes, mostly needed for lavage. The patient was discharged 5 days later and outcomes are unremarkable 7 months after the procedure. Conclusion: The indication to endoscopic pancreatogastrostomy and its outpatient management should be carefully pondered. Pancreogastrostomy drain misplacement may cause a life-threatening acute peritonitis associated with early aspecific symptoms, resulting in a challenging situation, especially in an outpatient setting. CT-scan may allow prompt diagnosis and effective management by minimally invasive surgery. (www.actabiomedica.it)

[Retrieval of a migrated plastic stent in a 51-year-old man]

BACKGROUND

Endosonographically guided transgastric drainage is the first-line interventional therapy of walled-off necrosis and symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts in necrotizing pancreatitis. Plastic stents or lumen apposing metal stents are commonly used. A possible complication of endoscopic therapy is stent migration.

CASE REPORT

We report upon a 51-year-old man who presented with acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Transgastric necrosectomy was performed and 5 transmural double-pigtail stents (DPS) were left in situ to drain the residual retroperitoneal cavity. The patient recovered and 4 stents were endoscopically removed 5 weeks later on an outpatient basis, whereas the fifth stent was suspected to have passed spontaneously via the natural route. The asymptomatic patient presented 3 months later for follow-up computed tomography. The necrosis had healed but one DPS was seen beyond the gastric wall near the kidney. Transmural access to the stent could be achieved by an endosonographically guided puncture toward the proximal portion of the stent followed by placement of a hydrophilic guidewire alongside the stent. A new gastrostomy was created by using a 6F cystotome followed by wire-guided dilation with a 12 mm balloon. The stent could then be grasped with transmurally inserted rat-tooth forceps and repositioned across the gastrostomy site. The patient was given prophylactic antibiotics. After removal of the stent, the patient could be discharged.

CONCLUSION

Herein, we present the successful endosonographically guided transmural removal of a retroperitoneally migrated plastic stent. Of note, in our patient we had to rely completely on endosonography and radiography for localization and targeting of the stent, since the former necrotic cavity had meanwhile completely healed.

Percutaneous Approach for Removal of a Migrated Cystogastric Stent from a Pancreatic Pseudocyst: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Stent migration into pancreatic pseudocysts during endosonographic (EUS) cystogastrostomy is a relatively rare complication. The migrated stent may induce, if it remains within the body, infection and perforation. Therefore, retrieval and/or re-stenting is necessary. Endoscopic retrieval is commonly attempted first. However, it is technically challenging and largely dependent on the skill of the endoscopists; if retrieval is unsuccessful, surgery is usually carried out. We report a case of stent migration into a pancreatic pseudocyst that was retrieved with a percutaneous approach under imaging guidance using a simple technique with available devices. A technique that enhances the role of interventional radiology in the management of this rare complication.

Use of transanastomotic double-pigtail stents in the management of grade B colorectal leakage: a pilot feasibility study

INTRODUCTION

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is a major complication of colorectal surgery. The leakage is classified as grade B when the patient's clinical condition requires an active therapeutic intervention but does not require further surgery. The management of grade B AL commonly includes administration of antibiotics and/or the placement of a pelvic drainage performed under radiological guidance or transanal drain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and the efficacy of endoscopic transanastomotic drainage using double-pigtail stents (DPSs) in the management of grade B AL in colorectal surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between September 2011 and December 2014, 650 patients underwent a colorectal procedure in our university hospital; 8.7 % presented with AL, including 42.8 % with grade B. Fourteen patients required endoscopic management and constituted the study population. The study's primary objective was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of DPS placement for the treatment of grade B AL after colorectal surgery. The secondary endpoints were the requirement for radiological drainage, the DPS placement failure rate, the rate of stoma closure and, lastly, feasibility of chemotherapy (if indicated).

RESULTS

DPS placement was feasible in 92.8 % of the 14 patients (n = 13). The overall success rate for endoscopic management was 78.5 % (n = 11). The median length of hospitalization after DPS placement was 5 days (3-17). The average duration of drainage through a DPS was 62 days (28-181). Five patients (35.7 %) also underwent drainage with radiological guidance. Of the 10 patients with stoma, closure occurred in 80 %. All patients that required adjuvant chemotherapy were able to receive it.

CONCLUSION

The treatment of AL requires multidisciplinary collaboration to save the anastomosis. DPS placement under endoscopic control is associated with AL healing, good clinical tolerance and the ability to undergo chemotherapy and is an alternative to repeat laparotomy when radiological drainage is unfeasible or inefficient.