Endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts

Abstract

Pancreatic pseudocysts (PPs) are a common complication
of chronic as well as acute pancreatitis that is unrelated to
the underlying etiology. Advances in radiological techniques
have in part led to an increase in the diagnosis of pseudocyst
and better characterization of associated complications.
The introduction of new treatment modalities has also increased
the options for non-surgical management. Thus,
with better knowledge of the disease and with technical advances,
the indications, timing and methods to treat PPs
have undergone a marked evolutionary change. We describe
two cases (the first cases described in Greek literature) with
acute giant PPs, treated with successful endoscopic transmural
drainage. This article describes also our preferable,
standard approach to the technique.
Key words: pancreatic pseudocysts, endoscopic drainage,
percutaneous drainage, surgical drainage