Understanding the colonic complications of pancreatitis

Colonic necrosis, fistula and stricture are infrequent but potentially lethal complications of pancreatitis. As any individual unit will have only limited experience, this study aims to provide a structured, systematic appraisal of published experience to identify any consistent trends and disease patterns that may help in practical management.

A computerized search of the MEDLINE databases for the period January 1950 through January 2006 yielded 43 articles. Pooled extracted data were examined for type of pancreatitis and colonic complications, method and time of diagnosis, treatment and outcome.

43 reports provided pooled data on 97 patients. Colonic complications were more frequent in severe disease, occurring in 15%. The principal presentations were necrosis, fistula and stricture. All episodes of colonic necrosis complicated severe acute pancreatitis, were diagnosed operatively, presented at a median of 25 (1-55) days into the episode and were associated with a mortality of 54%. In contrast, stricture presented at a median of 50 (10-270) days. Surgical resection without anastomosis is the mainstay of management of necrosis. Trial of conservative management in a stable patient with a fistula may facilitate spontaneous closure.

This study highlights several consistent trends: preoperative diagnosis is difficult, colonic necrosis and fistula are rare complications principally of severe acute pancreatitis and they present either as ongoing abdominal sepsis or rectal bleeding. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of management. A high index of suspicion should be maintained in patients with severe acute pancreatitis, with ongoing sepsis and evidence of gastrointestinal blood loss.