ENDOSCOPIC THERAPY FOR PANCREATIC AND PERIPANCREATIC FLUID COLLECTION DUE TO PANCREATITIS

Abstract

Pancreatic and peripancreatic fluid collection, mainly walled-off necrosis, is a serious late complication of acute pancreatitis and requires drainage in symptomatic cases presenting with infection. Recently, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided transluminal drainage and direct endoscopic necrosectomy have become standard minimally invasive therapy. Several methods that involve drainage using a dedicated large-diameter biflanged metal stent, additional endoscopic drainage techniques, and the hybrid approach adding percutaneous drainage and necrosectomy have now made it possible to treat almost all cases with endoscopic treatment alone. However, without being restricted to endoscopic treatments, a wide range of options including surgery should be considered. Herein, we survey the present status of endoscopic therapy for pancreatic and peripancreatic fluid collection due to pancreatitis.