Clinical analysis of small incision minimally invasive approach in treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficiency of small incision minimally invasive approach pancreatic necrosectomy in the treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis. Methods: The data of 164 patients who underwent small incision minimally invasive approach pancreatic necrosectomy for infected pancreatic necrosis at Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from January 2012 to December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively.Among 164 patients, there were 102 male and 62 female patients.The median age was 46 years(ranging from 19 to 79 years). One hundred and one patients(61.6%) suffered from severe acute pancreatitis and 63 patients(38.4%) suffered from moderately severe acute pancreatitis.Following step-up approach principle, the surgical procedures were performed for 131 patients(79.9%) who suffered from sepsis which could not be alleviated via percutaneous catheter drainage(PCD). The other 33 patients(20.1%) who did not undergo PCD directly took small incision minimally invasive approach pancreatic necrosectomy.Preoperative CT images were used to determine the location of the lesion.The PCD puncture points or the points where the abscess was closest to the skin were chosen as the incision.Gradually, the small incision minimally invasive approach pancreatic necrosectomy were performed via cutting all layers into the abscess. Results: The median time from the onset of symptom to first operation was 32 days(ranging from 23 to 45 days). The average hospital stay was 46 days(ranging from 29 to 103 days). The average number of drainage tubes placed was 4 pieces(ranging from 2 to 8 pieces). Ninety-two patients(56.0%) underwent minimal access retroperitoneal pancreatic necrosectomy. Thirty-six patients(22.0%) underwent minimal invasive approach lesser omentum sac pancreatic necrosectomy.Thirty-six patients(22.0%) underwent minimal invasive approach lesser omentum sac pancreatic necrosectomy combined with minimal access retroperitoneal pancreatic necrosectomy.A total of 148 cases(90.2%) were cured via minimally invasive approach pancreatic necrosectomy, 8 cases(4.9%) were cured after transfering to open pancreatic necrosectomy.The cure rate was 95.1%(156/164). The mainly postoperative complications included pancreatic fistula(25 cases), intra-abdominal hemorrhage(10 cases), gastric fistula (2 cases), duodenal fistula(4 cases) and colonic fistula(3 cases). The overall incidence rate of complications was 26.8%(44/164). Eight cases were dead after surgery and the in-hospital mortality was 4.9%(8/164). Conclusion: In summary, small incision minimally invasive approach pancreatic necrosectomy is an effective way to clean up necrotic tissue, improve the drainage, reduce complications in dealing with infected pancreatic necrosis.