Early experience with cap-assisted endoscopic pancreatic necrosectomy: A technique to enhance safe tissue extraction...

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Endoscopic Procedures

Background:

• Endoscopic treatment is an established alternative to surgery for walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN).
• Cap-assisted endoscopic necrosectomy utilizes a sterilized banding cap for WOPN management.
• This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of this technique.

Observation:

• Eight patients with symptomatic or infected WOPN underwent cap-assisted endoscopic necrosectomy.
• WOPN size varied, with a median length of 9.5 cm and width of 5.3 cm.
• Procedures involved endoscopic debridement, with some patients requiring a second session.

Findings:

• No periprocedural adverse events were reported.
• The median duration for initial endoscopic debridement was 69 minutes.
• Six-month follow-up showed no recurrent pancreatic fluid collections requiring further intervention.

Implications:

• Cap-assisted necrosectomy presents a safe and efficient endoscopic treatment for WOPN.
• This technique may reduce the need for operative interventions.
• Further research can explore its long-term outcomes and broader applicability.