Management Of Acute Biliary Pancreatitis Research Articles

A retrospective analysis of the clinical efficacy of pancreatic duct stent implantation in the management of acute biliary pancreatitis requiring ERCP

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of pancreatic duct stenting in managing acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) necessitating endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). It further aimed to provide valuable insights for subsequent clinical diagnosis and treatment.MethodsThis research employs an observational retrospective case–control study design, encompassing patients with ABP who underwent ERCP at the hepatobiliary surgery department of the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University between August 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020. A total of 229 cases were screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Regardless of ABP severity, patients were categorized into the stent group (141) and the non-stent group (88). Changes in blood amylase (Amy), lipase (LIP), leukocyte count (WBC), total bilirubin (TBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hematocrit (HCT), and creatinine (CR) were compared between the two groups. Moreover, variables such as recovery time for oral feeding, hospitalization duration, hospitalization costs, local complications, systemic complications, and new organ failure were recorded to assess the therapeutic effect of pancreatic duct stenting.ResultsNo significant differences were observed in gender, age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, ABP severity grade, organ failure (OF), cholangitis, or biliary obstruction between the pancreatic stent and non-stent groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications related to acute pancreatitis between the two groups (P > 0.05). The median fasting and hospitalization times of patients in the stent group were significantly shorter than those in the non-stent group (P < 0.05). No significant differences between the groups were observed in hospitalization costs and in-hospital mortality (P > 0.05). There were no significant variations in white blood cell (WBC) count, TBIL, ALT, and creatinine (Cr) at admission, 72 h, and in the differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). The levels of Amy at admission and 72 h in the stent group were significantly higher than those in the non-stent group (P < 0.05). The differences in LIP and HCT in the stent group were considerably higher than in the non-stent group (P < 0.05). Although no significant differences were observed in mean Amy and LIP between the two groups (P > 0.05), the mean 72-h HCT in the stent group was 38.39% (95% confidence interval [CI] 37.82%–38.96%) was lower than that in the non-stent group (39.44%, 95% CI 38.70–40.17%) (P < 0.05).ConclusionIn the stent group, feeding time and hospital stay were significantly shorter than those in the non-stent group. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in the incidence of complications and mortality. The HCT value decreased more rapidly in the stent group. Early pancreatic stent implantation demonstrated the potential to shorten the eating and hospitalization duration of patients with ABP, facilitating their prompt recovery.Trial Registration: This study was registered as a single-center, retrospective case series (ChiCTR1800019734) at chictr.org.cn.

What has changed? The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of acute biliary pancreatitis.

The COVID-19 pandemic thoroughly changed the daily practices of medicine. We retrospectively evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our management strategies for patients with acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP). A total of 91 patients with ABP who were treated at Trakya University Faculty of Medicine between March 15, 2019 and March 15, 2021 were retrospectively recruited. Patients were classified as pre-COVID and COVID-era patients. The comorbidity markers, data from laboratory tests, inflammatory markers, and radiological examinations were evaluated. Length of stay, need for an intensive care unit, morbidity, mortality, recurrent ABP, and definitive treatment rates were evaluated, and the data of the two periods were compared. Two groups of patients, 57 in the pre-COVID period and 34 in the COVID period, were included in the study. We found that ABP admissions decreased significantly during periods of increased national COVID-19 diagnoses. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in the COVID period patients (P=0.044), and COVID patients had significantly higher total (P=0.004), direct bili-rubin (P=0.007), and lipases (P<0.001). The cholecystectomy rate after an attack decreased from 26% in the pre-COVID period to 15.6% during COVID. COVID strikingly reduced the admissions of ABP patients in the early stages of the disease to hospitals, leading to inevitable admissions in advanced severity. Moreover, a significant increase was detected in the recurrence rates of ABP. This can be explained by the reduction in cholecystectomy performed.

Timing of Cholecystectomy After Moderate and Severe Acute Biliary Pancreatitis

Considering the lack of equipoise regarding the timing of cholecystectomy in patients with moderately severe and severe acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP), it is critical to assess this issue. To assess the outcomes of early cholecystectomy (EC) in patients with moderately severe and severe ABP. This cohort study retrospectively analyzed real-life data from the MANCTRA-1 (Compliance With Evidence-Based Clinical Guidelines in the Management of Acute Biliary Pancreatitis) data set, assessing 5304 consecutive patients hospitalized between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020, for ABP from 42 countries. A total of 3696 patients who were hospitalized for ABP and underwent cholecystectomy were included in the analysis; of these, 1202 underwent EC, defined as a cholecystectomy performed within 14 days of admission. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors of mortality and morbidity. Data analysis was performed from January to February 2023. Mortality and morbidity after EC. Of the 3696 patients (mean [SD] age, 58.5 [17.8] years; 1907 [51.5%] female) included in the analysis, 1202 (32.5%) underwent EC and 2494 (67.5%) underwent delayed cholecystectomy (DC). Overall, EC presented an increased risk of postoperative mortality (1.4% vs 0.1%, P < .001) and morbidity (7.7% vs 3.7%, P < .001) compared with DC. On the multivariable analysis, moderately severe and severe ABP were associated with increased mortality (odds ratio [OR], 361.46; 95% CI, 2.28-57 212.31; P = .02) and morbidity (OR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.35-5.19; P = .005). In patients with moderately severe and severe ABP (n = 108), EC was associated with an increased risk of mortality (16 [15.6%] vs 0 [0%], P < .001), morbidity (30 [30.3%] vs 57 [5.5%], P < .001), bile leakage (2 [2.4%] vs 4 [0.4%], P = .02), and infections (12 [14.6%] vs 4 [0.4%], P < .001) compared with patients with mild ABP who underwent EC. In patients with moderately severe and severe ABP (n = 108), EC was associated with higher mortality (16 [15.6%] vs 2 [1.2%], P < .001), morbidity (30 [30.3%] vs 17 [10.3%], P < .001), and infections (12 [14.6%] vs 2 [1.3%], P < .001) compared with patients with moderately severe and severe ABP who underwent DC. On the multivariable analysis, the patient's age (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02-1.36; P = .03) and American Society of Anesthesiologists score (OR, 5.91; 95% CI, 1.06-32.78; P = .04) were associated with mortality; severe complications of ABP were associated with increased mortality (OR, 50.04; 95% CI, 2.37-1058.01; P = .01) and morbidity (OR, 33.64; 95% CI, 3.19-354.73; P = .003). This cohort study's findings suggest that EC should be considered carefully in patients with moderately severe and severe ABP, as it was associated with increased postoperative mortality and morbidity. However, older and more fragile patients manifesting severe complications related to ABP should most likely not be considered for EC.

Management of Acute Biliary Pancreatitis in Cholecystectomized Patients

Management of Acute Biliary Pancreatitis in Cholecystectomized Patients

CoMpliAnce with evideNce-based cliniCal guidelines in the managemenT of acute biliaRy pancreAtitis): The MANCTRA-1 international audit

Background/objectivesReports about the implementation of recommendations from acute pancreatitis guidelines are scant. This study aimed to evaluate, on a patient-data basis, the contemporary practice patterns of management of biliary acute pancreatitis and to compare these practices with the recommendations by the most updated guidelines. MethodsAll consecutive patients admitted to any of the 150 participating general surgery (GS), hepatopancreatobiliary surgery (HPB), internal medicine (IM) and gastroenterology (GA) departments with a diagnosis of biliary acute pancreatitis between 01/01/2019 and 31/12/2020 were included in the study. Categorical data were reported as percentages representing the proportion of all study patients or different and well-defined cohorts for each variable. Continuous data were expressed as mean and standard deviation. Differences between the compliance obtained in the four different subgroups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U, Student's t, ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests for continuous data, and the Chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test for categorical data. ResultsComplete data were available for 5275 patients. The most commonly discordant gaps between daily clinical practice and recommendations included the optimal timing for the index CT scan (6.1%, χ2 6.71, P = 0.081), use of prophylactic antibiotics (44.2%, χ2 221.05, P < 0.00001), early enteral feeding (33.2%, χ2 11.51, P = 0.009), and the implementation of early cholecystectomy strategies (29%, χ2 354.64, P < 0.00001), with wide variability based on the admitting speciality. ConclusionsThe results of this study showed an overall poor compliance with evidence-based guidelines in the management of ABP, with wide variability based on the admitting speciality.Study protocol registered in ClinicalTrials.Gov (ID Number NCT04747990).

Acute Biliary Pancreatitis Management during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

(1) Objective: We aimed to analyze and describe the management of acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. (2) Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study among patients with ABP during a control period (16 March 2019 to 15 March 2020; period 1) and a COVID-19 period (16 March 2020 to 15 March 2021; period 2). (3) Results: We included 89 patients with ABP, being 58 in period 1 and 31 in period 2. The mean patient age was 62.75 ± 16.59 years, and 51 (57.3%) patients were women. The Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score for sepsis and World Society of Emergency Surgery Sepsis Severity Score were significantly higher among patients in period 2. Twenty-two patients (37.9%) in period 1 and six (19.3%) in period 2 underwent cholecystectomy. There were no significant differences in surgical interventions between the two periods. The hospital mortality rate was 3.4 and 19.3% in period 1 and period 2, respectively. Mortality was significantly higher in period 2. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed a significant reduction in the number of patients with ABP but increased severity and mortality. Multicenter studies with more patients are needed to obtain additional evidence regarding ABP management during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Single-stage and two-stage approaches in the management of acute biliary pancreatitis: indications and contraindications

The objective was to improve the management of patients with acute biliary pancreatitis against the background of cholecystocholedocholithiasis.Methods and materials. 133 patients with acute biliary pancreatitis against the background of cholecystocholedocholithiasis were treated between 2017 and 2021 years. Patients suffering from mild and moderately severe acute biliary pancreatitis underwent single-step (laparoscopic cholecystectomy with endoscopic papillosphincterotomy) or two-step (endoscopic papillosphincterotomy with delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy) surgical interventions. Patients with severe acute pancreatitis underwent endoscopic papillosphincterotomy with or without common bile duct and pancreatic duct stenting. The comparative analysis was made to estimate the efficiency of different surgical interventions in different groups of patients.Results. Patients with mild or moderately severe acute biliary pancreatitis showed better outcomes after single-step surgical intervention. Patients with severe acute biliary pancreatitis – after endoscopic papillosphincterotomy with common bile duct and pancreatic duct stenting.Conclusion. Single-step surgical interventions (laparoscopic cholecystectomy with endoscopic papillosphincterotomy) are shown for patients with mild or moderately severe acute biliary pancreatitis, because this approach helps to preserve the complications, specific for two-step interventions. The single-step approach authentically helps to decrease the duration of hospital stay and reduce treatment costs. The two-step approach is shown for patients with severe acute biliary pancreatitis, but endoscopic papillosphincterotomy with lithoextraction should be supplemented by common bile duct and pancreatic duct stenting, in order to reduce the number of complications associated with delayed cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic one-step approach for the management of acute biliary pancreatitis: 10 years experience in a high volume center

Juliana Di Menno Stavron, Victoria Ardiles, María Eugenia Fratantoni, Pedro Uad, Rodrigo Sanchez Clariá, Martín de Santibañes, Juan Pekolj, Oscar Mazza

Role of Early Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) In Management of Acute Biliary Pancreatitis

Role of Early Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) In Management of Acute Biliary Pancreatitis

Role of early endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the management of acute biliary pancreatitis

Objective The aim was to evaluate the role of early endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in reducing mortality and morbidity of acute biliary pancreatitis with the consideration of the economic burden of this maneuver. Background A stone that obstructs the ampulla of Vater can cause biliary pancreatitis. ERCP is used to remove the stones that obstruct the ampulla. The risk-to-benefit ratio of this in the setting of acute pancreatitis is a matter of debate. In this research, we intend to overweight one of the both schools (conservative vs early ERCP). Patients and methods This prospective randomized comparative study was done at the Menoufia University Hospital between April 2015 and January 2018 which included 40 patients who were divided into two groups: groups A included 20 patients managed by early ERCP. Group B included 20 patients managed initially conservatively and they will be divided into three subgroups according to the course of jaundice. B1 subgroup: Those who will continue the conservative course due to continuous daily serial declination of their direct serum bilirubin. Group B2: those with continuous daily serial rising of the serum bilirubin (for 2 consecutive days) and they will be subjected to urgent ERCP. Group B3: those with fluctuating levels of serum bilirubin and they will be subjected to elective ERCP. Both group A and B patients will be subjected to laparoscopic cholecystectomy and were compared as regards the complications, mortality, economic burden, and hospital admission time. Results There was only one complication in group A with a percentage of 5% while there were three complications in group B and there were three with a percentage of 15%; thus, there was a significant reduction in complications in group A (P 0=0.05–0.001). Conclusion Early ERCP by a well-trained endoscopist in acute biliary pancreatitis is effective in reducing the complications and hospital admission time though it has more cost.

Adherence to the evidence-based guidelines in the management of acute biliary pancreatitis: A case series

BackgroundAcute pancreatitis (AP) is considered one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders; the annual worldwide incidence for AP is 4.9–73.4 cases / 100,000 people and the total mortality rate is 4–8%, increasing to 33% in patients with infected necrosis. This study aims to assess the outcome of providing standardized evidence-based care to patients with acute biliary pancreatitis. MethodsThirty patients diagnosed with acute biliary pancreatitis, were enrolled in this study and managed according to the Japanese guidelines, 2015 with a complementary scope on other recent guidelines. ResultsOut of 30 patients in the study, 60% were females. Twenty-five cases were presented in the early phase of the disease while the rest presented in the late phase. Gallstones were the commonest cause (80%). The complications encountered were a systemic complication in one case, organ failure in three cases, and the local complications in the form of fluid collections in (43.3%) of cases.Out of 30 patients, 6 patients had an intervention. The main approach was minimally invasive techniques (4 cases), Open approach was performed in 2 cases. The total mortality rate was 10%. Most mild cases were discharged within one week from admission. Cases readmitted with recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis were 3 cases, one male and 2 females. ConclusionBy applying guidelines in the management of acute biliary pancreatitis, we can reduce disease-related morbidity and mortality. Besides, we can reduce the costs of medical services with the proper investment of healthcare resources.

Unavailability of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiography Adversely Impacts Hospital Outcomes of Acute Biliary Pancreatitis: A National Survey and Propensity-Matched Analysis.

There is a paucity of literature assessing the impact of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) availability at hospitals and the management of acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP). Thus, we sought to evaluate the impact of ERCP availability on the clinical outcomes of ABP. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2004-2013) was reviewed to identify adult inpatients (≥18 years) with ABP. Clinical outcomes (mortality, severe acute pancreatitis, and health care resource utilization) between hospitals that perform ERCP versus hospitals that do not perform ERCP were compared using multivariate and propensity score-matched analyses. A majority of the non-ERCP hospitals were rural (73%) in location. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the lack of ERCP availability was independently associated with increased mortality from ABP (odds ratio, 1.83; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-2.88). A propensity score-matched cohort analysis confirmed a significant increase in mortality from ABP in non-ERCP hospitals (1.1% vs 0.53%; odds ratio, 2.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-4.15, P = 0.037) compared with ERCP hospitals. This national survey reveals increased mortality for patients with ABP admitted to hospitals lacking ERCP services. While there is a need to increase ERCP availability in rural areas, optimizing strategies for early transfer of patients with ABP to hospitals with ERCP availability can potentially offset these limitations.

Management of biliary acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a frequent pathology with 11,000 to 13,000 new cases per year in France. A biliary origin (30 to 70% of the cases) should be suspected when alanine amino-transferases are elevated during the first 48 hours, and it is confirmed by the presence of gallstones at trans abdominal ultrasound. Abdominal computed-tomography scan is performed around the fifth day, and is repeated according to clinical and biological evolution. Management of acute biliary pancreatitis varies according to its severity, which should be assessed according to systemic inflammatory response syndrome and organ failures. For mild acute pancreatitis, cholecystectomy should be performed during in-hospital stay, before oral feeding. For moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis, treatment is based on resuscitation, early enteral continuous feeding, and management of complications. Interval cholecystectomy is performed at a later stage. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with sphincterotomy should be performed in emergency when angiocholitis is associated, and in delayed emergency before oral feeding for persistent common bile duct stone. A common bile duct stone should be searched for during cholecystectomy and can be treated during the same surgical procedure if local conditions are adequate. Cholelithiasis is the most frequent cause of acute pancreatitis during pregnancy, and its diagnosis and the treatment have some particularities.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy role in the management of acute biliary pancreatitis

Objective The aim of this paper was to evaluate the role of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the management of acute biliary pancreatitis before patient discharge from the point of view of availability, advantages, and disadvantages. Background In patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis, cholecystectomy during the same hospital admission might reduce the risk of recurrent gallstone-related complications, compared with the more commonly used strategy of interval cholecystectomy. However, evidence to support same-admission cholecystectomy is poor, and concerns exist about an increased risk of cholecystectomy-related complications with this approach. In this study, we aimed to compare same-admission and interval cholecystectomy, with the hypothesis that same-admission cholecystectomy would reduce the risk of recurrent gallstone-related complications without increasing the difficulty of surgery. Patients and methods This is a prospective study carried on 20 consecutive patients in Menoufia University, Faculty of Medicine and Alexandria University, Faculty of Medicine; all of them presented with symptoms of acute biliary pancreatitis from April 2015 to September 2016. Overall, 20 cases were included because of limited number of patient who presented to our hospital in this period of time and fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Computed tomography severity index is the main method for choosing patients in the study then assess operative time and difficulty and postoperative pain and hospital stay and recurrence of attacks. Results A total of 20 cases underwent LC at the same time of admission in the hospital, and none of them (0%) were converted to open technique; operative time and difficulty was average, and all of them (100%) had no recurrent attacks of pancreatitis in postoperative follow-up. Conclusion LC in mild acute biliary pancreatitis is safe and should be done during the same hospital admission to prevent further attacks of pancreatitis.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatograhy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy in single session management of acute biliary pancreatitis

Background: World widely, the annual incidence of acute pancreatitis ranges from 5 to 50 per 100000. The major cause of acute pancreatitis is biliary calculi, which occur in 50-70% of patients. Aim of this study is to evaluate Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) and Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) as a single step management of early acute biliary pancreatitis.Methods: A prospective study included 25 patients complaining of acute biliary pancreatitis. The study was done between December 2012 and February 2016 at Menofia University Hospital. All patients had acute biliary pancreatitis with obstructive jaundice proved by laboratory investigations and imaging. ERCP and LC in the same session were aimed in all patients. Results: Successful same session was done in 24 (96%) cases and 1 (4%) case failed (just had ERCP only). Twenty cases (80%) were females and five cases (20%) were males. By ERCP, multiple small stones were extracted in 15 (60%) cases, biliary mud in 3 (12%) cases, a big stone in 2 (8%) cases and no stones were extracted in 5 (20%) cases. During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, bile stained ascites was present in 15 (60%) cases and absent in 9 (36%) cases. Calcium soap in 7 (28%) cases and absent in 17 (68%) cases. 17 (68%) patients stayed 24 hours in hospital while 6 (24%) patients stayed 48 hours and 2 (8%) cases stayed 72 hours. No mortality was recorded.Conclusions: ERCP and LC as a single step is a good option for management of early acute biliary pancreatitis.

32-Year-Old-Woman With Abdominal Pain

32-Year-Old-Woman With Abdominal Pain

Acute biliary pancreatitis: focus on recurrence rate and costs when current guidelines are not complied

Background: International guidelines recommend cholecystectomy within 2–4 weeks after mild to moderate acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) to prevent recurrence. We aimed to investigate the compliance to guidelines concerning early cholecystectomy and the associated costs.Methods: Admissions for ABP 2011–2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Classification was made according to the revised Atlanta classification. Treatment, time to surgery and recurrence, as well as cost analysis for both in-hospital costs and loss of production (LOP) were performed.Results: In total, 254 patients were included. Some 202 of the ABP patients (80%) underwent definitive treatment during their first attack of ABP (68% cholecystectomy, 17% endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), 15% both interventions) and 186 (73%) were treated within 1 month of discharge. Patients with ERCP alone were significantly older than cholecystectomy cases (p < .001), but no significant difference was observed between those who underwent ERCP or no treatment (p = .071). Mild ABP had intervention earlier (p < .001). In all, 52 patients (20%) had no intervention, out of which 15 were readmitted due to pancreatitis, compared to 3 patients of those treated at the initial admission (p < .001). The mean cost for hospital care and LOP in mild ABP was €6882 ± 3010 and €9580 ± 7047 for moderate ABP (p = .001). The cost for a recurrent episode was €16,412 ± 22,367.Conclusion: By improved compliance to current guidelines concerning the management of ABP, recurrence rate and associated costs can potentially be reduced.

Preventive pancreatic stents in the management of acute Biliary Pancreatitis (prepast trial): Study protocol for a multicenter, prospective, randomized, interventional, controlled trial

Background: The outcome of the most common biliary form of acute pancreatitis has not changed even with the better described indications for early endoscopic intervention. It may be due to the fact that this intrevention theoretically can cause further pancreatic injury or cannot always relieve the pancreatic duct obstruction. We hypothesize that maintaining the outflow of the pancreatic duct with preventive pancreatic stents at the early ERCP improves the outcome of acute biliary pancreatitis. Methods/Design: PREPAST is a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter trial. Patients with acute biliary pancreatitis with coexisting cholangitis are randomized to undergo urgent endoscopic intervention with or without pancreatic stenting within 48 hours from the onset of pain, and in addition patients without signs of cholangitis but cholestasis are randomly allocated to recieve conservative treatment or early endoscopic intervention with or without pancreatic stenting within 48 hours from the onset of pain. Patients without acute cholangitis and signs of cholestasis recieve conservative treatment. 230 patients are planned to be enrolled during a 48 months period from different centers. The primary endpoint is the outcome of acute biliary pancreatitis as described by the latest guidelines. Secondary endpoints include mortality data, and other variables not analyzed as a primary endpoint but related to the pancreatitis or the pancreatic stenting. Discussion: The PREPAST trial is designed to show whether early endoscopic intervention with the usage of preventive pancreatic stenting improves the outcome of acute biliary pancreatitis. The study has been registered at the nternational Standard Randomized Controlled Trials Number (ISRCTN) Register (trail ID: ISRCTN13517695).

Clinical usefulness of intraductal ultrasonography for the management of acute biliary pancreatitis

Identifying a bile duct (BD) stone in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) is important for the management and prevention of recurrent attack of pancreatitis. However, small BD stones may not be detected on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the usefulness of intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) in patients suspected to have ABP but with no evidence of choledocholithiasis on ERCP. A total 92 patients suspected with ABP without evidence of BD stones on imaging studies including ERCP were enrolled. Wire-guided IDUS was performed during ERCP in all patients. Stones or sludge detected by IDUS were confirmed after endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and extraction. If IDUS finding was negative, then we swept the BD with a balloon catheter and/or basket without EST. After endoscopic management, comparison between IDUS and endoscopic finding was carried out to determine the diagnostic accuracy of IDUS. Among the 92 patients, IDUS revealed BD stones in 33 (35.9%). All 33 patients' stones were confirmed by endoscopic visualization after EST and BD exploration. During the mean follow up of 24 months, recurrent pancreatitis did not occur in 90 of 92 patients (97.9%) with ABP after endoscopic treatment according to the IDUS findings. IDUS improves diagnostic accuracy for the detection of clinically occult BD stones in patients suspicious ABP. IDUS-guided endoscopic management for patients with ABP can avoid unnecessary EST and help prevent recurrent pancreatitis.

Biliary pancreatitis. Deadly threat to the elderly. Is it a real threat?

Gallstone pancreatitis is a deadly disease and especially so in the elderly. This study highlights the incidence, pattern and management of acute biliary pancreatitis in the elderly patients to find out the outcome of management. All patients of acute abdomen regardless of the age and gender of the patients were admitted in our unit at Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences and different private hospitals in Hyderabad during 3 years commencing from June 2009 to June 2011. The data was collected on a proforma by the author as soon as the patients were received from the emergency. After admission the patients with the diagnosis of acute biliary pancreatitis on initial workup were inducted in this study. The variables studied included the incidence, severity and management outcome in patients 55 years and above compared to younger patients below 55 years. A total number of 650 patients regardless of gender with acute severe abdominal pain were brought to the emergency of which 131(20.15%) were diagnosed as acute biliary pancreatitis after initial work up. Out of the total patients diagnosed as acute pancreatitis, 63(48.09%) patients were <55 years of age and remaining 68(51.90%) patients were >55 years of age. The overall mortality in this study was 20.63 %( n=13) in elderly patients (> 55 years of age) in both the sexes despite all possible treatment measures. Elderly people respond poorly to the acute insult to pancreatitis.