Managing Infected Pancreatic Necrosis
John-Edwin Thomson, Sven M van Dijk, Martin Brand, Hjalmar C van Santvoort,Marc G BesselinkReview Articles, no. 3, 2018
Article DOI: 10.21614/chirurgia.113.3.291
The management of infected pancreatic necrosis has historically been based on early, open necrosectomy, associated with significant mortality. In recent years, an evidence based transformation has occurred towards the step-up approach consisting of percutaneous catheter drainage, if necessary, followed by minimally invasive necrosectomy. More recently the endoscopic step-up approach has gained popularity. This review evaluates the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of infected necrotizing pancreatitis. Key points in managing infected pancreatic necrosis: •multidisciplinary team approach in tertiary level centres; •no indication for prophylactic antibiotics or probiotics; •nasogastric, enteral nutrition indicated after 72 hours, if oral feeding is insufficient; •only intervene in infected necrosis; •delay intervention until “walled-off necrosisâ€Â; •step-up approach of percutaneous or endoscopic catheter drainage, followed by minimally invasive necrosectomy, if required; • endoscopic strategies are preferable where possible.
Keywords: pancreatitis, infected pancreatic necrosis, necrosectomy