Endoscopic transgastric fenestration versus percutaneous drainage for management of(peri)pancreatic fluid collections adjacent to gastric wall(with video)

BACKGROUND Percutaneous drainage(PCD)and endoscopic approaches have largely replaced surgical drainage as the initial approach for(peri)pancreatic fluid collections(PFC)s,while complications associated with endoscopic stent implantation are common.AIM To introduce a novel endoscopic therapy named endoscopic transgastric fenestration(ETGF),which involves resection of tissue by endoscopic accessory between gastric and PFCs without stent implantation,and to evaluate its efficacy and safety compared with PCD for the management of PFCs adjacent to the gastric wall.METHODS Patients diagnosed with PFCs adjacent to the gastric wall and who subsequently received ETGF or PCD were restrospectively enrolled.Indications for intervention were consistent with related guidelines.We analyzed patients baseline characteristics,technical and clinical success rate,recurrence and reintervention rate,procedure-related complications and adverse events.RESULTS Seventy-two eligible patients were retrospectively identified(ETGF=34,PCD=38)from October 2017 to May 2021.Patients in the ETGF group had a significantly higher clinical success rate than those in the PCD group(97.1 vs 76.3%,P=0.01).There were no statistically significant differences regarding recurrence,reintervention and incidence of complication between the two groups.While long-term catheter drainage was very common in the PCD group.CONCLUSION Compared with PCD,ETGF has a higher clinical success rate in the management of PFCs adjacent to the gastric wall.ETGF is an alternative effective strategy for the treatment of PFCs adjacent to the gastric wall.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections: The impact of evolving experience and new technologies in diagnosis and treatment over the last two decades

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage is the preferred approach for drainage of pan- creatic uid collections (PFCs) due to the better experience and signi cant progress using newer stents and access devices during last decade. This study aimed to evaluate the role of the evolving experience and possible in uence of new technological devices on the outcome of patients evaluated for PFCs and submitted to EUS-guided drainage during two different periods: the early period at the beginning of experience when a standardized technique was used and the late period when the increased experience of the operator, combined with different stents quality were introduced in the management of PFCs. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of a cohort of 91 consecutive patients, who underwent EUS-guided drainage of symptomatic PFCs from October 2001 to September 2017. Demographic, therapeutic results, complications, and outcomes were compared between early years’ group (2001 2008) and late years’ group (2009 2017). Results: Endoscopic treatment was successfully achieved in 55.6% (20/36) of patients in the early years’ group, and in 96.4% (53/55) in the late years’ group. Eighteen patients (12 in early years’ and 6 in the late year’s group) required additional open surgery. Procedural complications were observed in 5 patients, 4 in early years’ and 1 in late years’ group. Mortality was registered in two patients (2.2%), one for each group. Conclusions: During our long-term survey using EUS-guided endoscopic drainage of PFCs, signi cantly better outcomes in term of improved success rate and decrease complications rate were observed during the late period.

Interventional radiology followed by endoscopic drainage for pancreatic fluid collections associated with high bleeding risk: Two case reports

BACKGROUND Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)-guided transluminal drainage is an advanced technique used to treat pancreatic fluid collections(PFCs). However, gastric varices and intervening vessels may be associated with a high risk of bleeding and are, therefore, listed as relative contraindications. Herein, we report two patients who underwent interventional embolization before EUS-guided drainage.CASE SUMMARY Two 32-year-old males developed symptomatic PFCs after acute pancreatitis and came to our hospital for further treatment. One patient suffered from intermittent abdominal pain and vomiting, and computed tomography(CT) imaging showed an encapsulated cyst 7.93 cm × 6.13 cm in size. The other patient complained of a mass inside the abdomen, which gradually became enlarged. Gastric varices around the ideal puncture site were detected by EUS when we evaluated the possibility of endoscopic drainage in both patients. Interventional embolization was recommended as the first procedure to decrease the risk of bleeding. After that, EUS-guided transluminal drainage was successfully conducted, without vascular rupture. No postoperative complications occurred during hospitalization, and no recurrence was detected at the last follow-up CT scan performed at 1 mo.CONCLUSION Interventional embolization is a safe, preoperative procedure that is performed before EUS-guided drainage in PFC patients with gastric varices or at high risk of bleeding.

Lumen apposing metal stents for pancreatic fluid collections:Recognition and management of complications

For patients recovering from acute pancreatitis,the development of a pancreatic fluid collection (PFC) predicts a more complex course of recovery,and introduces difficult management decisions with regard to when,whether,and how the collection should be drained.Most PFCs resolve spontaneously and drainage is indicated only in pseudocysts and walled-off pancreatic necrosis when the collections are causing symptoms and/or local complications such as biliary obstruction.Historical approaches to PFC drainage have included surgical (open or laparoscopic cystgastrostomy or pancreatic debridement),and the placement of percutaneous drains.Endoscopic drainage techniques have emerged in the last several years as the preferred approach for most patients,when local expertise is available.Lumen-apposing metal stents(LAMS) have recently been developed as a tool to facilitate potentially safer and easier endoscopic drainage of pancreatic fluid collections,and less commonly,for other indications,such as gallbladder drainage.Physicians considering LAMS placement must be aware of the complications most commonly associated with LAMS including bleeding,migration,buried stent,stent occlusion,and perforation.Because of the patient complexity associated with severe pancreatitis,management of pancreatic fluid collections can be a complex and multidisciplinary endeavor.Successful and safe use of LAMS for patients with pancreatic fluid collections requires that the endoscopist have a full understanding of the potential complications of LAMS techniques,including how to recognize and manage expected complications.

Novel and supplementary management of pancreatic fluid collections:Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage

AIM To compare efficacy and safety of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided and surgical drainage in pancreatic fluid collection management.METHODS Data were obtained retrospectively from January 2012 to December 2016.Patients with pancreatic fluid collection were performed EUS-guided or surgical procedure.Main outcome measures including clinical efficiency,complication,duration of procedures,hospital stay and cost were analyzed.RESULTS Thirty-six patients were enrolled into the study,including 14 in endoscopic group while 22 in the surgical group.Twelve (86%) patients were treated successfully by endoscopic approach while 21 (95%) patients benefited through surgical procedure.Endoscopic treatment had higher recurrence and complication rates than surgery,resulting in more re-interventions.Meanwhile,duration of procedure,hospital stay and cost were significantly lower in endoscopic group.CONCLUSION Both approaches were effective and safe.EUS-guided approach should be the first-line treatment in mild and simple cases,while surgical approach should be considered as priority in severe and complex cases.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic fluid collection drainage: Where are we?

Pancreatic fluid collections(PFCs)result from injury to the pancreas from acute or chronic pancreatitis,surgery,or trauma.Management of these collections has evolved over the last 2 decades.The choice of interventions includes percu-taneous,endoscopic,minimally invasive surgery,or a combined approach.Endoscopic drainage is the drainage of PFCs by creating an artificial communication between the collection and gastrointestinal lumen that is maintained by placing a stent across the fistulous tract.In this editorial,we endeavored to update the current status of endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of PFCs.

Advancements in the endoscopic treatment of pancreatic fluid collections

Endoscopic drainage of pancreatic fluid collections(PFCs)with fewer complications and less trauma has gradually replaced surgery or percutaneous drainage to become the first-line treatment for PFCs.In recent years,the differential efficacy of various stent techniques to drain different types of PFCs has been controversial.This review summarizes the clinical applications of endoscopic ultrasound-guided stent placement for PFCs drainage.

Management of pancreatic fluid collections in patients with acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is associated with development of pancreatic fluid collections(PFCs).Acute PFCs that develop in interstitial edematous pancreatitis mostly resolve but some may persist and evolve into pseudocysts.Acute necrotic collections occurring in acute necrotizing pancreatitis generally persist and evolve into walled-off necrosis(WON)after 3 to 4 weeks.Most acute fluid collections do not require drainage unless they are large and cause compression of adjacent organs,contribute to increase in intraabdominal pressure or become infected.Acute infected collections can be managed with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage but may require necrosectomy either by minimally invasive surgical or endoscopic methods such as video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement and percutaneous endoscopic necrosectomy.Mature sterile collections,that is,pseudocyst and WON with a defined wall are best treated by internal transmural drainage which can be achieved either by per-oral endoscopic or surgical,preferably laparoscopic,method.Of late,infected PFCs are increasingly being treated with an endoscopic step-up approach that has been shown to be better than minimally invasive surgical step-up approach in terms of lesser complications.Use of lumen apposing metal stents during endoscopic drainage has emerged as an attractive option that facilitates necrosectomy in infected WON.

Pancreatic pseudocyst:The past,the present,and the future

A pancreatic pseudocyst is defined as an encapsulated fluid collection with a welldefined inflammatory wall with minimal or no necrosis.The diagnosis cannot be made prior to 4 wk after the onset of pancreatitis.The clinical presentation is often nonspecific,with abdominal pain being the most common symptom.If a diagnosis is suspected,contrast-enhanced computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging are performed to confirm the diagnosis and assess the characteristics of the pseudocyst.Endoscopic ultrasound with cyst fluid analysis can be performed in cases of diagnostic uncertainty.Pseudocyst of the pancreas can lead to complications such as hemorrhage,infection,and rupture.The management of pancreatic pseudocysts depends on the presence of symptoms and the development of complications,such as biliary or gastric outlet obstruction.Management options include endoscopic or surgical drainage.The aim of this review was to summarize the current literature on pancreatic pseudocysts and discuss the evolution of the definitions,diagnosis,and management of this condition.

Contrast-enhanced guided endoscopic ultrasound procedures

Contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound(CH-EUS)can overcome the limi-tations of endoscopic ultrasound-guided acquisition by identifying microvessels inside inhomogeneous tumours and improving the characterization of these tumours.Despite the initial enthusiasm that oriented needle sampling under CH-EUS guidance could provide better diagnostic yield in pancreatic solid lesions,further studies did not confirm the supplementary values in cases of tissue acquisition guided by CH-EUS.This review details the knowledge based on the available data on contrast-guided procedures.The indications for CH-EUS tissue acquisition include isoechoic EUS lesions with poor visible delineation where CH-EUS can differentiate the lesion vascularisation from the surrounding parenchyma and also the mural nodules within biliopancreatic cystic lesions,which occur in select cases.Additionally,the roles of CH-EUS-guided therapy in patients whose pancreatic fluid collections or bile ducts that have an echogenic content have indications for drainage,and patients who have nonvisualized vessels that need to be highlighted via Doppler EUS are presented.Another indication is represented if there is a need for an immediate assessment of the post-radiofrequency ablation of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours,in which case CH-EUS can be used to reveal the incomplete tumour destruction.

Short-and long-term results of endoscopic ultrasoundguided transmural drainage for pancreatic pseudocysts and walled-off necrosis

AIM To evaluate the short-and long-term results of endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural drainage(EUS-GTD) for pancreatic fluid collection(PFC) and identify the predictive factors of treatment outcome for walled-off necrosis(WON) managed by EUS-GTD alone.METHODS We investigated 103 consecutive patients with PFC who underwent EUS-GTD between September 1999 and August 2015. Patients were divided into four groups as follows: WON(n = 40), pancreatic pseudocyst(PPC; n = 11), chronic pseudocyst(n = 33), and others(n = 19). We evaluated the short-and long-term outcomes of the treatment. In cases of WON, multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the predictor variables associated with the treatment success. In addition, PFC recurrence was examined in patients followed up for more than 6 mo and internal stent removal after successful EUS-GTD was confirmed.RESULTS In this study, the total technical success rate was 96.1%. The treatment success rate of WON, PPC, chronic pseudocyst, and others was 57.5%, 90.9%, 91.0%, and 89.5%, respectively. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography using the multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the treatment success rate of WON was significantly lower in patients with more than 50% pancreatic parenchymal necrosis(OR = 17.0; 95%CI: 1.9-150.7; P = 0.011) and in patients with more than 150 mm of PFC(OR = 27.9; 95%CI: 3.4-227.7; P = 0.002).The recurrence of PFC in the long term was 13.3%(median observation time, 38.8 mo). Mean amylase level in the cavity was significantly higher in the recurrence group than in the no recurrence group(P = 0.02).CONCLUSION The reduction of WON by EUS-GTD alone was associated with the proportion of necrotic tissue and extent of the cavity. The amylase level in the cavity may be a predictive factor for recurrence of PFC.

Lumen-apposing-metal stent misdeployment in endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainages:A systematic review focusing on issues and rescue management

BACKGROUND The introduction of lumen-apposing metal stents(LAMS)for endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)-guided drainages has marked a turning point in the field of interventional ultrasound and it is gathering worldwide diffusion in different clinical settings.Nevertheless,the procedure may conceal unexpected pitfalls.LAMS misdeployment is the most frequent cause of technical failure and it can be considered a procedure-related adverse event when it hampers the conclusion of the planned procedure or results in significant clinical consequences.Stent misdeployment can be managed successfully by endoscopic rescue maneuvers to allow the completion of the procedure.To date,no standardized indication is available to guide an appropriate rescue strategy depending on the type of procedure or of misdeployment.AIM To evaluate the incidence of LAMS misdeployment during EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy(EUS-CDS),gallbladder drainage(EUS-GBD)and pancreatic fluid collections drainage(EUS-PFC)and to describe the endoscopic rescue strategies adopted under the circumstance.METHODS We conducted a systematic review of the literature on PubMed by searching for studies published up to October 2022.The search was carried out using the exploded medical subject heading terms“lumen apposing metal stent”,“LAMS”,“endoscopic ultrasound”and“choledochoduodenostomy”or“gallbladder”or“pancreatic fluid collections”.We included in the review on-label EUS-guided procedures namely EUS-CDS,EUS-GBD and EUS-PFC.Only those publications reporting EUS-guided LAMS positioning were considered.The studies reporting a technical success rate of 100%and other procedure-related adverse events were considered to calculate the overall rate of LAMS misdeployment,while studies not reporting the causes of technical failure were excluded.Case reports were considered only for the extraction of data regarding the issues of misdeployment and rescue techniques.The following data were collected from each study:Author,year of publication,study design,study population,clinical indication,technical success,reported number of misdeployment,stent type and size,flange misdeployed and type of rescue strategy.RESULTS The overall technical success rate of EUS-CDS,EUS-GBD and EUS-PFC was 93.7%,96.1%,and 98.1%respectively.Significant rates of LAMS misdeployment have been reported for EUS-CDS,EUS-GBD and EUS-PFC drainage,respectively 5.8%,3.4%,and 2.0%.Endoscopic rescue treatment was feasible in 86.8%,80%,and 96.8%of cases.Non endoscopic rescue strategies were required only in 10.3%,16%and 3.2%for EUS-CDS,EUS-GBD,and EUS-PFC.The endoscopic rescue techniques described were over-the-wire deployment of a new stent through the created fistula tract in 44.1%,8%and 64.5%and stent-in-stent in 23.5%,60%,and 12.9%,respectively for EUSCDS,EUS-GBD,and EUS-PFC.Further therapeutic option were endoscopic rendezvous in 11.8%of EUS-CDS and repeated procedure of EUS-guided drainage in 16.1%of EUS-PFC.CONCLUSION LAMS misdeployment is a relatively common adverse event in EUS-guided drainages.There is no consensus on the best rescue approach in these cases and the choice is often made by the endoscopist relying upon the clinical scenario,anatomical characteristics,and local expertise.In this review,we investigated the misdeployment of LAMS for each of the on-label indications focusing on the rescue therapies used,with the aim of providing useful data for endoscopists and to improve patient outcomes.

Therapeutic interventional endoscopic ultrasound in pancreatobiliary disorders:Does it really replace the surgical/percutaneous approach?

Pancreato-biliary disorders are still incredibly challenging in the field of gastroenterology,as they would sometimes require multi-approach interventional procedures.Recently,therapeutic interventional endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)has emerged as a potential alternative to surgical or percutaneous approaches.Unfortunately,considering the high cost of EUS,lack of facility and expertise,most gastroenterologists still often refer cases to undergo surgical interventions without contemplating the possibility of utilizing EUS first.EUS-guided biliary drainage has become one of the best choices for establishing access to biliary system,given the clear visualization of pancreas,gallbladder,and common bile duct.Although there are still only a few studies which directly compare EUSguided and surgical approaches for biliary drainage,current evidence demonstrated the superiority of EUS-guided approach in terms of adverse events and reintervention rates,with similarly high technical and clinical success rates compared to percutaneous and surgical approaches,especially in patients with history of failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography attempt.Comparable success rates with shorter length of hospital stay between endoscopic and surgical approaches have also been exhibited for pancreatic pseudocysts and walled-off necrosis.Recent findings about the progress of EUS approach in gastroenterostomy/jejunostomy also indicated a promising potential of EUS,as a less invasive approach,for managing gastric outlet obstruction.