Trans abdominal Ultrasonography in Acute Pancreatitis: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common cause of acute pain abdomen. Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) of the abdomen is the imaging method of choice in acute pancreatitis. Ultrasonography can be used as the first, easily available imaging modality for the assessment of the pancreas. This study aims to study the transabdominal USG findings in patients with acute pancreatitis. It will also compare USG findings with CT findings in acute pancreatitis. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional, prospective study comprising of consecutive 55 patients with acute pancreatitis was conducted over a study period of 15 months. Trans abdominal USG findings and CECT abdominal findings in acute pancreatitis were studied and compared. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20 and a p-value of ≤0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Pancreas was visualized by USG in only 69%. Ultrasonography had some pancreatic and/or extrapancreatic findings in patients with acute pancreatitis in 84.2% of patients in whom the pancreas was visualized, whereas, it was 98.2% by CECT abdomen. USG was unable to demonstrate findings in 75% of patients with mild acute pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: Transabdominal ultrasonography detection of pancreatitis was inferior to the CECT. It had a limited role in detecting mild acute pancreatic cases. Nonetheless, detection of etiological factor such as gallstones, and assessment of extra pancreatic fluid collection like ascites and pleural effusion were better visualised with ultrasound. USG is readily available, cheap, noninvasive, and can be utilized as an initial diagnostic tool for acute pancreatitis and ruling out other causes of acute abdomen.

Indications and outcome of surgical management of local complications of acute pancreatitis: a single-centre experience

Background: Acute pancreatitis is a common and challenging disease that can develop both local and systemic complications. According to the Atlanta classification, local complications include peri-pancreatic collection, acute necrotic collection, pseudocyst and walled-off necrosis.Methods: A hospital-based retrospective study was conducted in the department of surgery at Kathmandu medical college teaching hospital. Patients were recruited using purposive sampling method and those who underwent laparoscopic, retroperitoneal or open surgical procedures for the management of local complications of acute pancreatitis from June 2017 to July 2021. The indication, perioperative outcome and associated complications were evaluated in all the cases.Results: Between June 2017 to July 2021, 432patients were admitted to the surgery department with acute pancreatitis or with complications of acute pancreatitis. Twenty-one patients required surgical intervention in the form of external drainage, cysto-enterostomy, VARD or open necrosectomy due to failure of endoscopic or radiological intervention or due to positions of lesions being inaccessible to these techniques. All patients had clinical improvement following surgery with an acceptable complication rate given the severity of the disease.Conclusions: Although various endoscopic techniques are now available to manage the pancreatic fluid collection and pancreatic necrosis, surgery remains essential in managing the disease.

A rare case of blunt trauma abdomen leading to isolated grade 4 pancreatic injury

Isolated pancreatic injury due to blunt trauma abdomen is a rare case in children and is associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates. We present a case of isolated grade 4 pancreatic injury in a 12 years old male child, presented with history of trauma to abdomen by bicycle handle, pain in abdomen, abdominal distention and vomiting. Ultrasonography of revealed hemoperitoneum with peri-pancreatic fluid collection, Contrast enhanced Computed tomography of abdomen and pelvis showed grade 4 pancreatic injury with mild hemoperitoneum. Emergency exploratory laparotomy was done and saponified part of pancreas along with omentum was debrided and Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy was performed. Procedure was uneventful and patient recovered well in post-operative period. In conclusion, isolated grade 4 pancreatic injury is a rare presentation following blunt trauma to abdomen and conservative approach as well as many operative procedures have been described for treatment of such injury. Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy procedure can be considered as a definitive treatment in such cases and to avoid long term complications.

Spontaneous Free Peritoneal Perforation of an Infected Pancreatic Fluid Collection Managed with Laparoscopic Drainage and Necrosectomy

Introduction. Free peritoneal perforation of pancreatic fluid collections is extremely rare and only few case reports exist in the literature. Many of these patients undergo emergency exploratory laparotomy due to sepsis and haemodynamic instability requiring sepsis control. The use of laparoscopic techniques in this circumstance is limited by the haemodynamic stability of the patient and the technical challenges. But effective laparoscopic management is associated with less morbidity to the patient. Case Presentation. A 28-year-old patient presented with worsening generalized abdominal pain with increased inflammatory markers. She required persistent inotropic support despite adequate fluid resuscitation. She had transient acute renal impairment and acute respiratory distress, which improved with noninvasive support. CECT (contrast-enhanced computed tomography) showed an infected pancreatic fluid collection with peritoneal free fluid. Aspiration of pelvic collection showed purulent fluid. Based on these clinical and imaging findings, she was diagnosed with a free peritoneal perforation of an infected pancreatic fluid collection. She underwent a laparoscopic drainage and necrosectomy of the infected pancreatic collection and peritoneal washout. She had a gradual recovery. All inotropes were omitted on the second day following surgery. She was sent to the ward from the ICU (intensive care unit) on the 4th postoperative day. Conclusion. The laparoscopic approach is a viable option in managing ruptured pancreatic fluid collections when patient and technical factors are supportive. It reduces surgical morbidity, thereby reducing the overall strain on physiological reserves. When opted for laparoscopic drainage, the procedure must be guided by imaging findings. Multidisciplinary participation is critical in the overall management.