A COMPARISON BETWEEN SURGICAL, ENDOSCOPIC AND PERCUTANEOUS MANAGEMENTOF PANCREATIC PSEUDOCYSTS - LONG-TERM RESULTS

In a retrospective study, the data of 127 patients who had been treate d in our hospital between 1985 and 1990 for pancreatic pseudocysts wer e re-examined and analysed in order to evaluate the therapeutic succes s. In 13 cases (10 %), a spontaneous regression was observed. Forty-fo ur patients (35%) were treated surgically, 37 (29%) were managed endos copically and 7 (6%) received a percutaneous treatment. The remaining 26 patients (20%) had received a combined form of therapy either prima rily or later within the course of their treatment. After an average p eriod of 33 months, 97 patients could be either re-questioned or re-ex amined. The results showed that 50% of the patients treated surgically and 52% of those treated endoscopically were without complaints. The over-all mortality rate was 9%. A lack of success following various th erapeutic regimes resulted in up to 20% of all patients. In summary, e ndoscopic drainage proved to be a simple method with a low complicatio n rate and an alternative to internal surgical drainage particularly f or persistent alcoholics and patients over 65 years of age. Endoscopic drainage is not an alternative for patients with persistent abdominal pain symptoms or complications.