1. Mobilize the duodenal loop and pancreatic head by Kocher’s manoeuvre (Fig. 16.1). Gently clear the omentum from the anterior aspect of the head of pancreas, which can now be directly inspected and palpated between finger and thumb.

Fig. 16.1 Exposure of the pancreas. The lines of peritoneal incision are shown. The head of the pancreas and uncinate lobe are supplied by the superior and inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries and the body and tail by the splenic artery.

2. Expose the body and tail of the pancreas through the lesser sac, which can be entered through the greater or lesser omentum. Separate the congenital adhesions between the stomach and the pancreas. If necessary, divide the peritoneum along the superior border of the pancreas, so that you can insinuate a finger beneath the gland.

3. The inferior border of the pancreas can also be mobilized by dividing the overlying peritoneum; take care not to injure the superior or inferior mesenteric veins. Trace the middle colic vein downwards to find the superior mesenteric vein.

4. Lying at the splenic hilum, the tail of pancreas is the least accessible part of the gland. It can usually be approached by dividing the greater omentum and retracting the stomach upwards. You may need to divide several short gastric arteries and the attachments of the splenic flexure of the colon from the spleen. If necessary, be willing to divide the peritoneum lateral to the spleen and lift the spleen and tail of pancreas forwards into the wound.

5. Learn to recognize the firm, nodular consistency of normal pancreas by palpating the gland during all upper abdominal operations. You should then be able to differentiate the hard sclerotic gland of chronic pancreatitis or a localized tumour. The pancreatic duct is not palpable unless it is dilated.

6. If you feel a mass in the region of the ampulla, it may assist diagnosis to open the duodenum and directly visualize the pancreatic papilla. Confirm suspected carcinoma at this site by removing a suitable biopsy for immediate frozen-section histology, if endoscopic biopsy has not already provided the diagnosis.

KEY POINTS

Access to the pancreas

You cannot adequately examine the pancreas without full (Kocher’s) mobilization of the duodenum along with exploration of the lesser sac.

Mobilize the lateral attachments of the spleen if necessary, to facilitate examination of the pancreatic tail.

You may also need to divide the peritoneum along the upper and lower borders of the pancreas.

REFERENCES

1. Fayad LM, Kowalski T, Mitchell DG. MR cholangiography: evaluation of common pancreatic diseases. Radiol Clin North Am 2003;41:97–114.

PANCREATIC BIOPSY

Appraise

1. No method of biopsying the pancreas is devoid of risk, yet a positive tissue diagnosis is particularly important for the proper management of suspected malignant disease.

2. Cancer in the head of the pancreas usually obstructs the pancreatic duct, leading to chronic pancreatitis in the upstream gland. At operation it can be difficult or even impossible to distinguish the induration of obstructive pancreatopathy from that of malignant infiltration, which may lead to sampling error. Likewise, on pancreatic imaging there is often no sharp distinction between tumour and adjacent pancreatitis.

3. Percutaneous biopsy of the pancreas can be carried out under ultrasound or CT scan guidance by directly inserting a fine needle for cytology, or wider-bore needle for histology, into the mass. In expert hands this is quite a sensitive technique, although more than one pass of the needle may be required to obtain a positive answer. Although percutaneous biopsy of the pancreas is a relatively safe and sensitive technique, as a rule limit it to patients with unresectable tumours or those patients in whom operative treatment is not indicated.¹

4. At ERCP pure pancreatic juice may be obtained or brushings can be taken from strictures of the bile duct or pancreatic duct. Cytological examination of this material may reveal malignant cells. When pancreatic cancer invades the duodenum, it can be directly biopsied through the endoscope. Endoscopic ultrasound has been increasingly used to guide biopsy of pancreatic lesions, as well as providing valuble information about relationship to major vascular structures.²

5. At laparotomy the safest method of confirming the diagnosis of cancer is to sample a site of possible metastasis, usually a liver nodule, peritoneal deposit or lymph node adjacent to the pancreas (see Chapter 17 for the technique of liver biopsy). If there are no obvious metastases, do not hesitate to biopsy the primary pancreatic tumour itself.

6. The usual indication for pancreatic biopsy is to confirm carcinoma in a patient whose tumour is deemed irresectable, since in a resectable case the specimen itself provides ample histological material. Because of the risk of sampling error you must obtain pathological confirmation of carcinoma before closing the abdomen, and this need may govern the choice between fine-needle aspiration biopsy and the use of a Tru-cut needle. In many hospitals it is easier to obtain urgent frozen-section histology, as from a Tru-cut specimen, than an urgent cytological opinion.

Action

1. Using a fine (18–20G) needle and a 20-ml syringe, aspirate the site of the lesion. Apply strong suction while advancing and withdrawing the needle within the lesion, then release the suction and remove the needle and syringe. Eject the material in the needle track on to a glass slide and make a smear for cytological examination.

2. If the surface of the pancreas is diseased, perform a ‘shave’ biopsy with a scalpel. Remember the possibility that an inflammatory ‘halo’ may surround the actual neoplastic tissue.

3. You can obtain a core of tissue for histological examination using a Tru-cut needle. If the lesion is in the head of the pancreas you can approach it transduodenally, avoiding the risk of pancreatic fistulae, or insert the needle directly into the pancreas.

4. If the above techniques are inadequate and a biopsy is essential, incise the gland directly over the lesion and obtain a small piece of tissue. However, it may be better to carry out a formal partial pancreatectomy under these circumstances.

5. The complications of biopsy include acute pancreatitis and pancreatic fistula. If pancreatic juice escapes from the site of incision or the needle puncture, consider pancreatectomy or Roux-en-Y drainage of this area.

REFERENCES

1. Ihse I, Axelson J, Dawiskiba S, et al. Pancreatic biopsy: why? when? how? World J Surg 1999;23:896–900.

2. Varadarajulu S, Eloubeidi MA. The role of endoscopic ultrasonography in the evaluation of pancreatico-biliary cancer. Surg Clin North Am 2010;90(2):251–63.

LAPAROTOMY FOR NECROTIZING PANCREATITIS

Appraise

1. There is absolutely no role for diagnostic laparotomy in patients with acute pancreatitis, given the widespread availability of abdominal CT. Despite this, you may be confronted occasionally by acute pancreatitis during a laparotomy for other suspected pathologies such as small-bowel infarction and leaking abdominal aneurysm.

2. Avoid laparotomy in the first week of acute pancreatitis, as it is too early for a safe, effective debridement and formal resection carries a formidable mortality rate. Laparotomy can often be delayed for several weeks to allow the necrotic tissue to mature, and the vast majority of infective collections can be managed by aggressive radiological drainage. Patients with proven severe gallstone pancreatitis may, however, benefit from early ERCP and stone extraction if ductal calculi are suspected, as this may lower both morbidity and mortality.¹

3. Laparotomy and debridement for patients with established necrotizing pancreatitis is now reserved primarily for those with infected necrosis.² Determine the presence of infection preoperatively by percutaneous radiological fine-needle aspiration. For necrosis confined predominately to the left of the neck of pancreas, open necrosectomy has almost completely been superseded by aggressive radiological drainage and video assisted percutaneous necrosectomy in specialist units. Percutaneous radiological drains are inserted under local anaesthetic in the plane between the spleen and splenic flexure of the colon. The tract is subsequently dilated to permit passage of a nephroresectoscope. The necrotic tissue can then be resected using the endoscope and irrigation catheters inserted. Initial publications suggest a reduction in mortality and morbidity with this minimally invasive approach.³

Other complications of acute pancreatitis such as pseudocysts, bleeding and abscesses are now often managed radiologically, with surgery reserved for complications not amenable to radiological intervention or in patients with infective necrosis not amenable to percutaneous techniques. Because of the benefits of multidisciplinary care of patients with severe acute pancreatitis, especially access to experienced interventional radiology, such patients should, wherever possible, be cared for in specialist units.

4. If you detect gallstones it is wise to carry out a cholecystectomy after the patient has recovered from pancreatitis but before discharge so as to prevent another acute attack (see Chapter 15). Prior to operation, have the bile duct imaged using either MRCP or ERCP to avoid leaving occult ductal calculi.

Action

At laparotomy

1. Once you have made the diagnosis, do nothing unless there is a definite indication. Attempts at debridement of the pancreas at this stage can be disastrous. Formal exploration of the pancreas is usually unnecessary to obtain a diagnosis and may be meddlesome.

2. The management of coincidental gallstones is controversial, so be prepared to seek senior advice. In oedematous (mild) pancreatitis it is correct to carry out cholecystectomy with operative cholangiography and proceed to exploration of the duct and even transduodenal sphincteroplasty, if necessary (see Chapter 15). In haemorrhagic, severe pancreatitis, extensive ductal exploration and duodenotomy are best avoided. If ductal stones are present, remove them gently if possible and leave a T-tube to drain the duct.

3. It is unusual to encounter loculated fluid or pus during the first week of an attack of acute pancreatitis, but drain any such collection to the exterior.

4. Wound dehiscence is common following laparotomy for acute pancreatitis. Take extra care in closing the linea alba or rectus sheath and consider inserting tension sutures.

For infected pancreatic necrosis

1. Enter the lesser sac by dividing the greater omentum. In severe pancreatitis this will expose a large cavity containing pus and necrotic debris. Although the pancreas itself can undergo haemorrhagic infarction in a severe case of pancreatitis, more often the gland is viable and there is peripancreatic necrosis affecting the retroperitoneal fat.

2. Digitally explore the necrotic cavity and remove all dead tissue. The cavity may ramify extensively: be prepared to explore upwards to the diaphragm, downwards behind the left or right colon to the pelvis, backwards to the perirenal areas and forwards into the transverse mesocolon and the root of the small bowel mesentery. Where possible, avoid sharp dissection and use your fingers to separate the solid necrotic material. A blunt-tipped sucker, used gently, provides a good method of atraumatic dissection. Send samples of fluid and necrotic material for bacteriological examination. The main risk is of bleeding, so be gentle but thorough.

3. Check the viability of the small and large intestine. The right colon in particular can become ischaemic following thrombosis of its blood supply. In these circumstances proceed to right hemicolectomy, but do not restore intestinal continuity. Bring out the terminal ileum as an end ileostomy (Chapter 11) and the transverse or descending colon as a mucous fistula, using separate trephine incisions for each stoma. Placement of a gastrostomy avoids long-term nasogastric intubation and insertion of a jejunostomy tube aids early enteric feeding.⁴

4. Irrigate the retroperitoneal cavity thoroughly with warm saline and secure haemostasis. You must now choose between closing the abdomen with generous drainage and leaving it open as a ‘laparostomy’. Each technique has its advocates. The closed technique is easier to manage with regard to nursing care, but up to one-third of patients require one or more repeat laparotomies for further debridement. The open technique allows inspection of the abdominal contents on a daily basis with ready drainage of further collections, but at the expense of a higher incidence of postoperative bleeding and intestinal fistula. For this reason laparostomy should be reserved for the most severe cases and the closed drainage technique used when necrosis is less extensive.

5. In the closed technique it is vital to ensure adequate drainage of the retroperitoneal cavity and lesser sac. Place four wide-bore drains, siting two as far posteriorly as possible, one on each side. If the necrotizing process is limited to the lesser sac, it is helpful to ‘compartmentalize’ the abdomen by suturing the greater omentum to the peritoneum along the lower border of the transverse incision. Postoperatively, the lesser sac can then be irrigated in isolation from the remaining abdominal viscera. Take care closing the abdomen because of the risk of subsequent wound dehiscence. Insert deep tension sutures in severe cases.

6. In the open technique make no attempt to suture the abdominal wall. One or two drains may be placed in the depths of the cavity and brought out through stab incisions. Cover the exposed viscera with several packs wrung out in saline. Consider placing a large piece of adherent plastic sheeting over the entire wound to prevent leakage of fluid. Surprisingly, evisceration is seldom a problem.

Aftercare

1. Continue standard supportive measures for acute pancreatitis, with intravenous fluids and nasogastric suction as required. Patients with a severe attack will require total parenteral nutrition. Antibiotic therapy is needed to manage septic complications, the choice of agent being tailored to the organism cultured. Recent evidence suggests that, in cases of severe pancreatitis, early prophylactic antibiotics decrease the incidence of septic complications and there may be a corresponding decrease in mortality rate.⁵

2. All patients with severe acute pancreatitis should be managed in an intensive therapy unit. Ultrasound and CT scans may be used to detect the development of complications, notably pseudocyst, bleeding and infected pancreatic necrosis.

3. Following a closed drainage procedure for necrotizing pancreatitis, institute saline lavage down two of the four drains, using the other two for egress of the fluid. Commence lavage with warm isotonic fluid either at the end of the operation or after overnight recovery, allowing the peritoneum to ‘seal’. Infuse between 50 and 200 ml/hour, depending upon the size of the cavity and the degree of contamination. Continue lavage at least until the effluent becomes clean. Monitor the serum albumin level, because prolonged lavage will exacerbate protein depletion. Use clinical judgement and weekly CT scans to assess progress and the necessity or otherwise for repeat laparotomy and debridement.

4. Following laparostomy, inspect the abdominal cavity. Nearly all these patients will require mechanical ventilation in an intensive therapy unit, and the packs can usually be changed in this setting under intravenous sedation without the need to take the patient back to the operating theatre. Remove the packs and examine the abdominal viscera. Gently insinuate your hand into the cavity, drain any pus and tease out any further necrotic tissue. Wash out the cavity and place fresh packs. If the patient’s condition improves, consider secondary closure of the abdominal wall at a later date.

KEY POINTS

Surgical intervention in acute pancreatitis

Patients with severe pancreatitis require combined specialist care by surgeons and intensivists.

In most cases of sterile necrosis, operation is not required but you must be mindful of other complications occurring, such as bowel infarction or gastrointestinal haemorrhage, that need urgent surgical attention.

Complications

1. Infected pancreatic necrosis is a difficult and dangerous condition. The mortality rate is at least 20–30% in most published series. A successful outcome requires good surgical and nursing care which often needs to be continued for several weeks. Supportive measures include intravenous fluids, parenteral nutrition and antibiotics as required.

2. There are many potential complications, and their management can be summarized as follows:

Respiratory failure/adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Continue assisted respiration under the supervision of an experienced anaesthetist, and consider tracheostomy after 10–14 days of endotracheal intubation (see Chapter 2).

Renal failure. Haemofiltration or haemodialysis is required unless the infracolic compartment of the abdomen can be used for peritoneal dialysis. Dopamine and dobutamine may be used to improve renal blood flow.

Myocardial failure. Pressor support may be required to maintain an adequate blood pressure and peripheral circulation.

Continuing sepsis. This is the single most important factor underlying multiple organ failure. Persistent high fever and leucocytosis indicate active infection. Remember the possibility of septicaemia from a contaminated central venous line: obtain blood cultures and consider changing the line. Repeat the chest X-ray to look for a focus of infection. Perform ultrasound, CT or isotope scans to image the abdominal cavity, and consider whether percutaneous drainage or repeat laparotomy is needed to deal with further collections.

Intestinal failure. Prolonged ileus is common in patients with abdominal sepsis, especially those on a ventilator. Remember the possibility of colonic or small-bowel ischaemia, which may require repeat laparotomy. Very occasionally prolonged duodenal ileus necessitates a gastroenterostomy. These patients are prone to peptic stress ulceration: institute prophylaxis with topical agents such as sucralfate or intravenously with H2-receptor antagonists or proton-pump inhibitors.

Haemorrhage. Bleeding follows arterial or venous erosion in the wall of the infected cavity and blood may escape into the gut, into the abdominal cavity or via the drains. Resuscitate the patient and, if there is gastrointestinal haemorrhage, consider endoscopy to look for erosive gastritis (see Chapter 10). If there is evidence of intra-abdominal bleeding the patient should have a CT scan with vascular reconstruction. In most instances this reveals the site of bleeding and identifies the feeding vessel. This can then be treated by visceral angiography and transcatheter embolization. If radiology is unsuccessful then a laparotomy may be required, with suture of the bleeding vessel and occasionally formal resection. Such operative procedures carry a high morbidity and mortality.

Pancreatic fistula. Survivors may develop a pancreatic fistula from the abscess cavity along a drain track to the skin. Most of these fistulas heal spontaneously with the passage of time and can simply be managed in the interim by collection into a stoma bag. Manage an intestinal fistula or mixed fistula along standard lines (see Chapter 11).

REFERENCES

1. Fogel EL, Sherman S. Acute biliary pancreatitis: when should the endoscopist intervene. Gastroenterology 2003;125:229–35.

2. Werner J, Uhl W, Hartwig W, et al. Modern phase-specific management of acute pancreatitis. Dig Dis 2003;21:38–45.

3. Carter CR, McKay CJ, Imrie CW. Percutaneous necrosectomy and sinus tract endoscopy in the management of infected pancreatic necrosis: an initial experience. Ann Surg 2000;232:175–80.

4. Al-Omran M, Groof A, Wilke D. Enteral versus parenteral nutrition for acute pancreatitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2003;(1): CD002837.

5. Bassi C, Larvin M, Villatoro E. Antibiotic therapy for prophylaxis against infection of pancreatic necrosis in acute pancreatitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2003;(4): CD002941.

DRAINAGE OF PANCREATIC CYSTS

Appraise

1. True cysts are congenital or neoplastic and are rare. Cysts complicating acute or chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic trauma are ‘false’ pseudocysts, in that they have no epithelial lining. Both types are best diagnosed by ultrasound and CT scanning of the upper abdomen.

2. Fluid collections around the pancreas are common following acute pancreatitis, but most resolve spontaneously. Drainage is required for an expanding mass, which often causes pain, for vomiting, jaundice or for a mass that fails to resolve or becomes infected. Within 4–5 weeks of the acute attack, the cyst wall is unlikely to be sufficiently mature to take sutures, and external drainage is required. Thereafter, internal drainage becomes feasible, either cystgastrostomy or cystjejunostomy Roux-en-Y. Reserve cystgastrostomy for moderate-sized cysts that are closely applied to the back of the stomach on imaging. Endoscopic and laparoscopic techniques are increasingly employed to avoid open operation for internal cyst drainage.

3. Percutaneous aspiration of pancreatic pseudocysts is becoming increasingly popular. The procedure is carried out under ultrasound or CT control. A pigtail catheter can be inserted for external drainage, or a percutaneous transgastric approach can be used to position a stent in the cystgastrostomy position.¹ Percutaneous needle drainage is suitable for small cysts discovered in the early weeks after an attack of acute pancreatitis; surgical drainage is more appropriate for large, mature or recurrent cysts and for those that communicate with the pancreatic duct.

4. Sometimes an encysted collection of blood and/or pancreatic fluid may follow blunt abdominal trauma. Traumatic cysts are prone to complications and require early drainage, usually to the exterior.

5. Pseudocysts developing in association with chronic pancreatitis are generally contained within the pancreatic capsule and frequently communicate with the main ductal system. They may develop insidiously with gradual expansion of the pancreas, sometimes at multiple sites, or rapidly after an attack of acute-on-chronic pancreatitis, in which case they contain necrotic material. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography is a useful investigation as it allows drainage of the dilated pancreatic duct, but may, potentially, introduce infection into the cyst cavity: give prophylactic antibiotic cover. Smaller cysts can be resected together with diseased pancreas or drained into the duct and thence to a Roux loop of jejunum. Treat larger cysts by cystenterostomy unless a preoperative angiogram shows an arterial pseudo-aneurysm in the wall, in which case resection may be safer.

6. Never assume that a cystic mass in or adjacent to the pancreas is an inflammatory pseudocyst unless there is clear evidence of acute pancreatitis (for example recent pain and hyperamylasaemia) or a history and imaging consistent with chronic pancreatitis. Cystic neoplasms include serous and mucinous cystadenoma, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and cystic endocrine tumour. Always obtain a biopsy of the cyst wall at operation, and arrange frozen-section examination if there is any suspicion of neoplasia.² Resect neoplastic cysts if possible.

7. Endoscopic internal drainage of a pseudocyst under endoscopic ultrasound guidance is gaining in popularity. With a diathermy wire passed down the operating channel of an endoscope, the endoscopist creates an opening from the cyst into the stomach or duodenum and usually passes several stents to maintain patency.³ It is even possible to drain a communicating pseudocyst into the duct via a nasopancreatic tube or short pancreatic stent passed per endoscope.

Prepare

1. In patients with a chronic pseudocyst, do not embark on an operation for the cyst without fully investigating the pancreas.

2. Bleeding can be a problem during operations for pseudocyst, so ensure that cross-matched blood is available beforehand.

KEY POINTS

Drainage of pseudocysts

The techniques of percutaneous or endoscopic cystgastrostomy require the posterior wall of the stomach to be adherent to the pseudocyst. This is often not the case in pseudocysts associated with chronic pancreatitis where the lesser sac is patent.

Furthermore, patients with chronic pancreatitis often have varices around the stomach, adding further hazard to this technique.

Assess

1. After an acute attack of pancreatitis or pancreatic trauma an encysted collection of fluid may be entered on approaching the pancreas. This type of collection is usually best drained to the exterior. The resultant pancreatic fistula does not cause skin excoriation, since the pancreatic enzymes are not activated, and it will nearly always close spontaneously. If a large cyst is palpable within the lesser sac, try to determine whether the posterior wall of the stomach is adherent to the front of the cyst, in which case cystgastrostomy may be appropriate. If not, internal drainage into a Roux loop of jejunum is a satisfactory method of dealing with a mature cyst.

2. During laparotomy for chronic pancreatitis plan your approach according to the operative findings, supplemented by a knowledge of pancreatic ductal anatomy obtained from ERCP or MRCP. A cyst in the head of the pancreas can sometimes be marsupialized into the duodenum. Elsewhere in the gland, cystjejunostomy Roux-en-Y is the best option unless complete resection can be safely achieved.

3. Try and create a good-sized fistula between the cyst and the viscus chosen for internal drainage.

Action

The vast majority of these techniques are peformed laparoscopically, although the exact detail of the laparoscopic approach is beyond the scope of this chapter. Nonetheless, the technique of drainage is the same and shall thus be described.

Cystgastrostomy (Fig. 16.2)

Fig. 16.2 Pancreatic cystgastrostomy. The anterior wall of the stomach is held open by stay sutures. A collection of pancreatic fluid in the lesser sac (‘pseudocyst’) is drained into the stomach through a posterior gastrostomy.

1. This is only indicated for effusions into the lesser sac that have been present for long enough to have developed a fibrous wall. The stoma will probably close once the cavity has collapsed following drainage.

2. After packing off the stomach, make a longitudinal incision through the anterior gastric wall fairly close to the greater curvature and opposite the incisura angularis. Suck out the gastric contents.

3. Now incise the posterior gastric wall for a short distance opposite the anterior gastrotomy. If the cyst is difficult to palpate, a 19 Gauge needle on a 10-ml syringe is often used to localize the cyst. Deepen the incision and enter the cyst, obtaining samples of the fluid for culture and chemical analysis. Evacuate the contents of the cyst and gently break down any loculi with your finger.

4. Insert a running polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) suture round the margins of the posterior gastrotomy, ensuring a stoma at least 4 cm in diameter. Close the anterior gastrotomy in two layers and close the abdomen with drainage.

Cystduodenostomy

1. Reserve this procedure for a small cyst in the head of pancreas close to the duodenal loop.

2. Make a longitudinal duodenotomy opposite the cyst. Insert a needle into the cyst: aspiration of bile warns you that the bile duct is nearby and you should not proceed.

3. If the aspirate is clear, leave the needle in place and incise the duodenal wall to enter the cyst. Suture the margins of the opening as above. Close the duodenum in two layers, taking care not to narrow its lumen. Close the abdomen with drainage.

Cystjejunostomy (Fig.16.3)

Fig. 16.3 Pancreatic cystjejunostomy. A retrocolic Roux loop of jejunum has been anastomosed to a large cyst within the tail of pancreas.

1. This technique is applicable to all types of cyst with walls thick enough for suturing. It is the most likely method to obtain dependent drainage and avoid the potential problem of food debris contaminating the pseudocyst cavity.

2. Mobilize the pancreas. Now incise the anterior wall of the cyst, sample and drain its contents and explore its recesses for any obvious ductal communication.

3. Create a Roux loop of jejunum (Chapter 11) and close the end. Approximate the upper end of the Roux loop to the front of the cyst without tension. Create a generous side-to-side anastomosis between the opening into the cyst and a longitudinal jejunotomy. Use one or two layers of suture according to the thickness of the cyst wall, but use polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) for the inner layer.

4. Restore intestinal continuity by jejunojejunostomy at the base of the Roux loop. Drain the abdomen through a stab incision as above.

KEY POINT

Drainage versus resection of pseudocysts

The decision to drain or resect a chronic pseudocyst will depend on several factors: its position in the gland, the general condition of the patient, the patient’s endocrine and exocrine function, the presence or absence of varices, the extent of disease in the underlying pancreatic tissue and the degree of suspicion of neoplasia.

Complications

1. Decompression of a pseudocyst into the gut may be followed by haemorrhage if there was a pre-existing pseudo-aneurysm and angiography, whether derived from CT, MRI or visceral angiography, should always be undertaken before drainage of a chronic cyst. If bleeding occurs the patient requires a CT scan, with an emphasis on the arterial phase, to determine the site of origin, proceeding to an angiogram and transcatheter embolization. If this fails, re-operation is required, sometimes with formal resection.

2. Pancreatic fistula is seldom troublesome, because the enzyme content of pancreatic juice is low in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Treat a gastric or intestinal fistula along standard lines.

REFERENCES

1. Vidyarthi G, Steinberg SE. Endoscopic management of pancreatic pseudocysts. Surg Clin North Am 2001;81:405–10.

2. Spinelli KS, Fromwiller TE, Daniel RA, et al. Cystic pancreatic neoplasms: observe or operate. Ann Surg 2004;239:651–9.

3. Beckingham IJ, Krige JE, Bornman PC, et al. Long term outcome of endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts. Am J Gastroenterol 1999;94:71–4.

DRAINAGE OF THE PANCREATIC DUCT

Appraise

1. Ductal drainage is preferable to resection for the relief of pain in chronic pancreatitis, since it preserves the remaining functioning tissue. However, only an anastomosis between the pancreatic duct and adjacent viscus that is several millimetres in diameter is likely to remain patent. Therefore do not ordinarily undertake a drainage operation unless the duct is two to three times its normal diameter.

2. The operation of choice is longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy, which creates a long side-to-side anastomosis between the incised duct and a Roux loop of jejunum. Often this may be combined with a ‘coring’ out of the head of the pancreas, a so-called ‘Frey modification’. An anastomosis between the amputated body of pancreas and a Roux loop is less likely to stay open unless the duct is grossly dilated at the site of transection, in which case it should probably be opened up in the proximal gland. Sometimes it is reasonable to combine conservative distal resection with a limited longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy.

3. Formerly popular for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis, sphincteroplasty has in fact little to offer. It is reasonable to consider biliary sphincteroplasty (Chapter 15), followed by a similar procedure to widen the orifice of the pancreatic duct, when there is moderate dilatation of the whole duct tapering to a stricture at its orifice, but this is an uncommon situation in chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic sphincteroplasty may be indicated for patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis or chronic abdominal pain and stenosis in the terminal pancreatic duct. In pancreas divisum, accessory pancreatic sphincteroplasty is sometimes helpful.