Management of pancreatic ascites complicating alcoholic chronic pancreatitis

Pancreatic ascites (PA) is an unusual and little studied complication of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis. Management is complex and is based mainly on empirical data. The aim of this retrospective work was to analyse the management of PA at our centre.

A total of 24 patients with PA complicating chronic alcoholic pancreatitis were managed at the Lille University Hospital between 2004 and 2018. Treatment was initially medical and then, in case of failure, interventional (endoscopic, radiological and/or surgical). Data regarding epidemiology, therapeutic and follow-up data were collected retrospectively.

Twenty-four patients were analysed; median follow-up was 18.5 months [6.75-34.25]. Exclusively medical treatment was effective in three of four patients, but, based on intention to treat, medical therapy alone was effective in only two out of 24 patients. Of 17 patients treated endoscopically, treatment was successful in 15 of them. Of the 15 who underwent surgery, external surgical drainage was effective in 13. Multimodal treatment, initiated after 6.5 days [4-13.5] of medical treatment, was effective in 12 out of 14 patients. In total, 21 patients were successfully treated (87%) with a morbidity rate of 79% and a mortality rate of 12.5% (n=3).

PA gives rise to significant morbidity and mortality. Conservative medical treatment has only a limited role. If medical treatment fails, endoscopic and then surgical treatment allow a favourable outcome in more than 80% of patients.