Laparoscopic cystgastrostomy: A Pakistani perspective

Laparoscopic Pancreatic Pseudocyst (PP) surgery can be performed via anterior or posterior cystogastrostomy, endoscopy-assisted surgery and cystojejunostomy. We conducted a prospective analysis of our patients undergoing laparoscopic cystogastrostomy to analyse the merits and demerits of the procedure. In a period of 3 years from January 2010 to December 2012 all the patients who underwent laparoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts were prospectively analysed. A total of 12 patients underwent a transgastric anterior cystogastrostomy with a stoma size of 4.5cms. There was no intraoperative or postoperative bleeding or leakage on anastomotic lines. Post-op pain score on the first post-op day was 4 (2-5) on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Average hospital stay was 4.1±2.3 days. All patients had complete resolution of symptoms on follow-up. Follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans on 8 patients showed complete resolution of the cysts. Laparoscopic cystogastrostomy is a safe and feasible method and provides efficient drainage of PP.