Percutaneous cystogastrostomy for treatment of pancreatic collections

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory condition associated with a potential torpid evolution comprising multiple organ failure, pancreatic necrosis, infected collections and high mortality. Current management tends use the step-up approach, with endoscopic collection drainage, followed by percutaneous drainage by an interventional radiologist and video-assisted necrosectomy. We present our experience with a new percutaneous technique of establishing an anastomosis of the pancreatic collection with the closest loop, stomach, duodenum or jejunum that uses balloon dilation and drainage in cases of infection.

Between 2009 and 2023 we have applied this technique in 30 patients, aged between 32 and 82 years (mean=67 years), 14 with pseudocysts (infected in six cases) and 16 with encapsulated necrosis (all infected). We use dilation balloons of different calibre, to establish the anastomosis between the digestive loop and the collection, as well as different drainages.

The intervention had a primary technical success of 93%. In two patients the cystogastrostomy had to be repeated due to initial technical failure; in both cases a good result was achieved. One patient had a severe postintervention haemorrhage (3%) that required embolisation. Length of follow-up has ranged from between three months and 10 years (mean=4 years), with no recurrence of the anastomosed collection or cutaneous fistula observed in any case.

Percutaneous cystogastrostomy is a technique that allows infected collections to be resolved and pancreatic fistulas to be avoided, with few complications, which can be resolved by interventional vascular radiologists.