Endoscopic necrosectomy under fluoroscopic guidance during transmural drainage of walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN)

Introduction: The endoscopic treatment of walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) as well as other minimally invasive methods have been evolving since last years. Aim: The aim of this study is evaluation of efficiency and safety of endoscopic necrosectomy under fluoroscopy done during the transmural drainage in patients with symptomatic WOPN. Material and methods: The retrospective analysis 114 consecutive patients with symptomatic WOPN were treated endoscopically in our medical center between 2011 and 2016. Material and methods: The retrospective analysis 114 consecutive patients with symptomatic WOPN were treated endoscopically in our medical center between 2011 and 2016. Results: Endoscopic necrosectomy was performed under fluoroscopic guidance during transmural drainage in 24/114 (21.05%) patients. The mean amount of endoscopic procedures in each patient was 8.88 (3–27). The active drainage was continued averagely for 40.1 (11–96) days. The avarage number of necrosectomy procedures during continued drainage was 6.54 (1–24) per patient. Additional percutaneous drainage was applied in just two patients. The complications of endotherapy were present in 9/24 (37.5%) patients. The therapeutic success was reached in 23/24 (95.83%) patients. The mean time of observation was 35 [18–78] months. The recurrence of pancreatic fluid collection was stated in 4 patients during the observation time. The mean time between the end of endotherapy and recurrence of fluid collection was 19 [16–22] months. In three patients recurrent fluid collections were treated endoscopically and in one patient were treated surgically. Long-term success of endoscopic treatment of WOPN was reached in 22/24 (91.67%) patients. Conclusions: Endoscopic necrosectomy under fluoroscopic guidance during transmural drainage is successful and safe method of minimally invasive treatment in selected patients with walled-off pancreatic necrosis.