Recurrence after endoscopic treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts- a long-term follow-up

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic pseudocysts (PPC) are collections of fluid encapsulated within a well-defined inflammatory wall that develop during pancreatic inflammation. Internal drainage represents the standard of care in lesions. Only limited data are available on long-term results. Thus, the aim of the present study was to analyse the long-term outcome after endoscopic drainage of PPC. Methods: Patient data were retrospectively collected. We assessed the clinical short-term outcome within 30 days after initial drainage procedure, medium-term outcome within 6 months after initial drainage procedure and long-term outcome. We performed statistical analysis to identify possible risk factors for recurrence of PPC. Results: We identified 51 patients with initially successful endoscopic drainage of the PPC. Among this cohort, 43 patients were available for assessment of medium-term results. In 82.9% of these 43 patients the drainage could be removed after successful treatment of the PPC. Thirty patients were available for long term follow-up with a mean observation period of 42.2 months. 7 of these had recurrent PPC. Approximately half of the recurrent cysts arose in different anatomical regions and most patients with recurrence had chronic pancreatitis. Conclusion: For most patients endoscopic drainage of PPC is sufficient. However, recurrences occur. Because most of these occur in chronic pancreatitis and different anatomical locations we conclude that these might be new PPC and not persistence of old PPC.