Is necrosectomy obsolete for infected necrotizing pancreatitis? Is a paradigm shift needed?

Abstract

In 1886, Senn stated that removing necrotic pancreatic and peripancreatic tissue would benefit patients with severe acute pancreatitis. Since then, necrosectomy has been a mainstay of surgical procedures for infected necrotizing pancreatitis (NP). No published report has successfully questioned the role of necrosectomy. Recently, however, increasing evidence shows good outcomes when treating walled-off necrotizing pancreatitis without a necrosectomy. The literature concerning NP published primarily after 2000 was reviewed; it demonstrates the feasibility of a paradigm shift. The majority (75%) of minimally invasive necrosectomies show higher completion rates: between 80% and 100%. Transluminal endoscopic necrosectomy has shown remarkable results when combined with percutaneous drainage or a metallic stent. Related morbidities range from 40% to 92%. Single-digit mortality rates have been achieved with transluminal endoscopic necrosectomy, but not with video-assisted retroperitoneal necrosectomy series. Drainage procedures without necrosectomy have evolved from percutaneous drainage to transluminal endoscopic drainage with or without percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy access for laparoscopic instruments. Most series have reached higher success rates of 79%-93%, and even 100%, using transcystic multiple drainage methods. It is becoming evident that transluminal endoscopic drainage treatment of walled-off NP without a necrosectomy is feasible. With further refinement of the drainage procedures, a paradigm shift from necrosectomy to drainage is inevitable.

Keywords: Delay until liquefaction; Infected necrotizing pancreatitis; Minimally invasive treatment; Transluminal endoscopic drainage/necrosectomy; Walled-off pancreatic necrosis

Core tip: A shift from early, prompt surgical necrosectomy to delay until liquefaction has become the global consensus for treatment of infected necrotizing pancreatitis, which allows drainage procedures and minimally invasive techniques to play a more important role before definitive surgery. Success rates of 80% and single-digit mortality rates are reported with transluminal endoscopic drainage and irrigation with a percutaneous gastrostomy access route. Zero mortality using transluminal endoscopic drainage without a necrosectomy can be achieved. A paradigm shift from necrosectomy to drainage for the treatment of walled-off necrotizing pancreatitis should be considered.