Original articleClinical endoscopyMultiple transluminal gateway technique for EUS-guided drainage of symptomatic walled-off pancreatic necrosis

BackgroundWalled-off pancreatic necrosis often leads to severe clinical deterioration necessitating open debridement or endoscopic necrosectomy. A new EUS-based approach was devised to manage this condition by creating multiple transluminal gateways to facilitate effective drainage of the necrotic contents.ObjectiveTo compare treatment outcomes between patients with walled-off pancreatic necrosis managed endoscopically by a multiple transluminal gateway technique (MTGT) or a conventional drainage technique (CDT).DesignRetrospective study.SettingTertiary-care referral center.PatientsThis study involved patients with severe acute pancreatitis complicated by walled-off pancreatic necrosis managed endoscopically.InterventionIn MTGT, 2 or 3 transmural tracts were created by using EUS guidance between the necrotic cavity and the GI lumen. While one tract was used to flush normal saline solution via a nasocystic catheter, multiple stents were deployed in others to facilitate drainage of necrotic contents. In the CDT, two stents with a nasocystic catheter were deployed via 1 transmural tract.Main Outcome MeasurementsResolution of symptoms, radiological findings on follow-up CT, and the need for subsequent surgery or endoscopic necrosectomy.ResultsOf 60 patients with symptomatic walled-off pancreatic necrosis, 12 (3 women, mean age 55.1 years) were managed by MTGT and 48 (12 women, mean age 55.2 years) by CDT. Treatment was successful in 11 of 12 (91.7%) patients managed by MTGT versus 25 of 48 (52.1%) managed by CDT (P = .01). Although 1 patient in the MTGT cohort required endoscopic necrosectomy, in the CDT cohort, 17 required surgery, 3 underwent endoscopic necrosectomy, and 3 died of multiple-organ failure. Treatment success was more likely for patients treated by MTGT than by CDT (adjusted odds ratio = 9.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-79.02; P = .04) when we adjusted for the size of the walled-off pancreatic necrosis and pancreatic duct stent placement.LimitationsSelective patient population.ConclusionThe EUS-guided MTGT is an effective treatment option for the management of symptomatic walled-off pancreatic necrosis because it obviates the need for surgery and endoscopic necrosectomy and its attendant procedure-related morbidity. Prospective studies are required to confirm these preliminary but promising data.