[Surgical treatment of pancreatic enzyme serous effusions]

Enzymatic seritis is a rare complication of chronic pancreatitis. Thirty-four cases are analyzed from a series of 200 cases of operated chronic pancreatitis: 22 pleural effusions, 5 ascites and 7 combined effusions. The pancreatic leak was demonstrated preoperatively in 40% of cases. The leak originated from erosion of a pancreatic duct in 7 cases and leaking pseudocyst in 27 cases. All patients were operated: internal drainage (22 cases), left splenopancreatectomy (7 cases) and external drainage (5 cases). Postoperative mortality was 9% (n = 3); postoperative morbidity was 15% (n = 5). The effusion did not recur in any of the survivors, but repeat surgery for chronic pancreatitis complications was necessary in 7 patients (20.5%).

after failure of medical treatment, the treatment of large serous effusions is surgical: internal drainage or pancreatic resection when the lesion is located in the tail of the pancreas.