Background
:
Acute pancreatitis is the third most common gastrointestinal disorder
requiring hospitalization in the United States, with annual costs exceeding
$2 billions. Severe necrotizing pancreatitis is a life-threatening
complication developed in approximately 20% of patients. Its mortality rate
range from 15% in patients with sterile necrosis to up 30% in case of
infected one associated with multi-organ failure. Less invasive treatment
techniques are increasingly being used. These techniques can be performed in
a so-called step-up approach.
Aim:
To present the technique for videoscopic assisted retroperitoneal debridement
(Vard technique) with covered metallic stent in necrotizing pancreatitis.
Method:
A guide wire was inserted through the previous catheter that was removed in
the next step. Afterwards, the tract was dilated over the guide wire. Then,
a partially covered metallic stent was deployed. A 30 degrees laparoscopic
camera was inserted and the necrosis removed with forceps through the
expanded stent under direct vision. Finally, the stent was removed and a new
catheter left in place.
Result
:
This technique was used in a 31-year-old man with acute pain in the upper
abdomen and diagnosed as acute biliary pancreatitis with infected necrosis.
He was treated with percutaneous drains at weeks 3, 6 and 8. Due to partial
recovery, a left lateral VARD was performed (incomplete by fixed and
adherent tissue) at 8th week. As the patient´s inflammatory
response was reactivated, a second VARD attempt was performed in three weeks
later. Afterwards, patient showed complete clinical and imaging resolution.
Conclusions
:
Videoassisted retroperitoneal necrosectomy using partially covered metallic
stent is a feasible technique for necrotizing pancreatitis.