P-P09 Salvage transgastric necrosectomy as a part of a step-up approach to managing acute necrotising pancreatitis

Abstract

Abstract Background The use of EUS (endoscopic ultrasound) guided drainage with endoscopic LAMS (lumen apposing metal stent) necrosectomy is an emerging treatment option for walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) secondary to acute severe pancreatitis. It can delay or remove the need for surgical necrosectomy, which can be associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, the endoscopic approach is not always successful due to a multitude of factors and salvage transgastric necrosectomy can be performed using the tract created by the LAMS to achieve internal drainage and remove necrotic pancreas. Methods We describe our unit’s experience in managing WOPN in two patients. We suggest a treatment pathway of WOPN which includes a step-up approach including salvage transgastric necrosectomy in patients where multiple endoscopic necrosectomies and washouts have failed. Results Two patients, aged 67 and 69, were admitted as intensive care transfers for gallstone and alcohol pancreatitis respectively. They underwent a step-up approach to treat their infected WOPN, starting with the deployment of LAMS and endoscopic necrosectomy. They both showed brief clinical improvement after repeated endoscopic necrosectomy but further imaging showed ongoing large collections that could not be treated endoscopically. Both patients underwent successful transgastric open necrosectomy where necrotic pancreatic tissue was accessed surgically through the already created cyst-gastrostomy. This had the advantage of internal drainage of the collection into the stomach without the need for external surgical drains. Conclusions The emphasis in the treatment of WOPN has shifted to minimally invasive percutaneous or endoscopic drainage modalities. Endoscopically inserted LAMS may not always achieve definitive drainage of the WOPN but should be employed in the first instance as they are associated with reduced morbidity and mortality compared to surgery. Ultimately, open necrosectomy with washout remains the definitive management strategy in the step-up approach. We believe that the trans-gastric open necrosectomy approach can be used successfully in patients where the minimally invasive approach has failed.