Percutaneous drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst into the stomach.
BACKGROUND
We present our experience with percutaneous ultrasonographically guided internal cystogastric drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts using a double pigtail catheter.


METHODS
In nine patients, the pancreatic pseudocysts following acute pancreatitis were drained percutaneously into the stomach with the double pigtail catheter under ultrasonographical (US) control. The needle insertion through both gastric walls and the final position of the proximal curve of the catheter were monitored with a gastroscope. The position of the distal curve of the catheter was checked by US. There were no procedure-related complications. The patients were followed up monthly by clinical and US examination.


RESULTS
At first follow-up 1 month after the intervention, none of the patients had evidence of the pseudocyst. The patients were not aware of the catheter and functioned normally throughout the procedure and catheter removal. The catheter was removed endoscopically after 5-8 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The method is minimally invasive and also feasible in high-risk surgical patients. It requires a team consisting of an interventional radiologist, an ultrasonographer, and an endoscopist. In properly selected patients, the results are excellent.
Sever
M
M
Department of Gastroenterologic Surgery, University Medical Center of Ljubljana, Zaloska 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Vidmar
D
D
Sŭrlan
M
M
Pleskovic
A
A
Visnar-Perovic
A
A
D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010192:Pancreatic Pseudocyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications; D013270:Stomach; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography