EUS-guided therapy for management of peripancreatic fluid collections after distal pancreatectomy in 20 consecutive patients

Abstract

Distal pancreatectomy involves resection of the pancreatic parenchyma left of the portal vein. Postoperative morbidity ranges from 9% to 31%, and peripancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) are a frequent complication encountered in 4% to 40% of cases.1,2 Although a majority of PFCs that develop after distal pancreatectomy are managed with medical therapy or conservatively by total parenteral nutrition, antibiotics, and intravenous octreotide, about 40% of cases require additional interventions.3,4 The international study group on postoperative pancreatic fistula categorizes PFCs that resolve spontaneously as grade A, PFCs that can be managed with drains in situ and outpatient observation as grade B, and PFCs that are clinically significant and require additional interventions as grade C.