title: EUS-guided drainage and stent placement for postoperative intra-abdominal and pelvic fluid collections in oncological surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the role and benefits of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the management of postoperative intra-abdominal fluid collections after attempted curative surgery for abdominal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors retrospectively analysed the Endobase from 1 July 2007 to 30 January 2011 for patients with a postoperative intra-abdominal fluid collection who had undergone EUS-guided drainage and the placement of a stent. The data analysed included the demographics, type of surgery and clinical indications of each patient as well as their clinical and radiological findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six patients (three men and three women; mean age, 61.8 years [range, 38-78 years]) with intra-abdominal and pelvic fluid collections after abdominal surgery for cancer had undergone EUS-guided internal drainage. All procedures had been performed using linear EUS guidance and 8-Fr stent drainage catheters ('one step device', Giovannini, NWOA system Needle-Wire, Cook). The collection types included perigastric abscess (n = 3), perigastric hematoma and rectal hematoma (n = 1), perirectal biloma (n = 1), and perirectal abscess (n = 1). Patients had undergone the following types of surgery: lower-anterior rectal resection (n = 2), Whipple's duodenopancreatectomy type (n = 1), total gastrectomy (n = 1), splenectomy (n = 1), and distal pancreatectomy (n = 1). The number of stents inserted for each collection was one (five patients) and two (one patient).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EUS-guided drainage and stenting provide another option for the management of postoperative collections. It allows access to areas that are difficult to reach with the CT-guided approach and it can be performed accurately, efficiently and safely. In addition to this, the internal nature of the drainage offers patients more comfort.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Disease Service, Pontevedra Hospital Complex, C/Mourente s/n Pontevedra 36001, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ulla-Rocha
authors.forename: Zenaida
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vilar-Cao
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sardina-Ferreiro