[Ultrasound guided percutaneous drainage in the treatment of local septic complications of chronic pancreatitis].

AIM: To evaluate results of ultrasound guided percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) for local septic complications of chronic pancreatitis.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between 1999 and 2002, PCD was used in 19 patients with chronic pancreatitis for 6 infected acute pseudocysts, 3 post-necrotic abscesses, 3 abscesses following pancreatic resections, 6 abscesses with none of the precipitating factors present (no acute episode or recent surgical/endoscopic interventions) and a tuberculous peritoneal empyema. In 17 patients, collections were unilocular.

RESULTS: Trocar technique was used in 14 patients and Seldinger technique in 5. Sixteen patients were successfully treated with PCD alone (mean drainage duration = 32 days) without abscess recurrence during the follow-up period (mean = 35.6 month). Surgical treatment was necessary in 3 patients. Pseudocyst recurrence occurred in another patient after 9 months.

CONCLUSION: PCD should be considered as the initial therapy for chronic pancreatitis local septic complications. Surgery is reserved for patients in whom PCD fails.