Surgical Drainage of Pancreatic Pseudocyst

Abstract

• A pancreatic pseudocyst is an encapsulated collection of homogenous fluid with little or no necrotic tissue within it. It is usually well circumscribed and located outside of the pancreas, often in the lesser sac. • Regardless of the cause, the overall incidence of pseudocysts is low; 0.5 to 1 per 100,000 adults per year. • Pancreatic pseudocysts are often seen as a complication of chronic pancreatitis and less commonly from acute pancreatitis • The incidence of pseudocysts is higher in males as it follows the incidence of pancreatitis, which is slightly male predominant. • In acute pancreatitis, the incidence of pseudocysts ranges from 5% to 16%. • Pseudocysts tend to be more common in the setting of chronic pancreatitis, with incidence rates between 20% to 40%. • The majority of the cases were alcohol-induced (70%) followed by biliary tract disease (8%), trauma (6%), and the remaining attributed to the idiopathic cause. • Symptoms of pseudocysts are typically non-specific and may present only with vague abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting. • A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen is the diagnostic modality of choice. • Most pseudocysts resolve spontaneously, and treatment is usually conservative with supportive care. • In general, larger cysts are more likely to become symptomatic or cause complications. • Potential complications include infection, hemorrhage, pseudocyst rupture, and disruptions of the pancreatic duct system.