Current Status and Perspectives of External Versus Internal Pancreatic Duct Drainage during the Learning Curve of Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Objectives: To summarize the current status and outlook of pancreatic duct drainage in the learning curve period of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD). Methods: By searching the literature related to the efficacy analysis of internal versus external pancreatic duct drainage in pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) and the learning curve period of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy in recent years at home and abroad and making a review. Results: Because of the complexity of the LPD surgical procedure, the high technical requirements and the high complication rate, it is necessary for the operator and his/her team to carry out a certain number of cases to pass through the learning curve in order to have a basic mastery of the procedure. In recent years, more and more pancreatic surgeons have begun to promote and use pancreatic duct drains. However, no consensus conclusion has been reached on whether to choose internal or external drainage for pancreatic duct placement and drainage in LPD. Conclusions: Intraoperative application of pancreatic duct drainage reduces the incidence of pancreatic fistula during the learning curve of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy. However, external pancreatic duct drainage and internal pancreatic duct drainage have both advantages and disadvantages, so when choosing the drainage method, one should choose the appropriate drainage method in conjunction with one’s own conditions, so as to reduce the incidence of complications.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreaticogastrostomy for symptomatic pancreatic duct obstruction caused by migrated pancreatic stent

Endoscopic pancreatic stenting has been widely used in various pancreatic conditions. With the increasing use of pancreatic stents, many complications have been recognized. Especially, proximal stent migration presents a serious condition because of subsequent pancreatic duct obstruction, impaired drainage, ductal dilation, and pancreatic pain. Although endoscopic retrieval is the preferred treatment for proximally migrated pancreatic stents, it is not always successful, resulting in conversion to surgery. To date, endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic duct drainage(EUS-PD) has never been reported for treatment of pancreatic duct obstruction caused by proximally migrated pancreatic stent. We herein describe a case of pancreatic duct rupture and obstruction caused by proximally migrated pancreatic stent that was successfully treated by EUS-guided pancreaticogastrostomy while keeping the former stent in situ after failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. We believe that this report adds to the increasing evidence of symptomatic pancreatic duct obstruction being successfully treated by EUS-PD.

Pancreatico-biliary endoscopic ultrasound:A systematic review of the levels of evidence,performance and outcomes

Our aim was to record pancreaticobiliary endoscopic ultrasound(EUS) literature of the past 3 decades and evaluate its role based on a critical appraisal of published studies according to levels of evidence(LE).Original research articles(randomized controlled trials,prospective and retrospective studies),meta-analyses,reviews and surveys pertinent to gastrointestinal EUS were included.All articles published until September 2011 were retrieved from PubMed and classified according to specific disease entities,anatomical subdivisions and therapeutic applications of EUS.The North of England evidencebased guidelines were used to determine LE.A total of 1089 pertinent articles were reviewed.Published research focused primarily on solid pancreatic neoplasms,followed by disorders of the extrahepatic biliary tree,pancreatic cystic lesions,therapeutic-interventional EUS,chronic and acute pancreatitis.A uniform observation in all six categories of articles was the predominance of LE Ⅲ studies followed by LE Ⅳ,Ⅱb,Ⅱa,Ⅰb and Ⅰ a,in descending order.EUS remains the most accurate method for detecting small(< 3 cm) pancreatic tumors,ampullary neoplasms and small(< 4 mm) bile duct stones,and the best test to define vascular invasion in pancreatic and peri-ampullary neoplasms.Detailed EUS imaging,along with biochemical and molecular cyst fluid analysis,improve the differentiation of pancreatic cysts and help predict their malignant potential.Early diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis appears feasible and reliable.Novel imaging techniques(contrast-enhanced EUS,elastography) seem promising for the evaluation of pancreatic cancer and autoimmune pancreatitis.Therapeutic applications currently involve pancreaticobiliary drainage and targeted fine needle injection-guided antitumor therapy.Despite the ongoing development of extra-corporeal imaging modalities,such as computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging,and positron emission tomography,EUS still holds a leading role in the investigation of the pancreaticobiliary area.The major challenge of EUS evolution is its expanding therapeutic potential towards an effective and minimally invasive management of complex pancreaticobiliary disorders.