PERCUTANEOUS DRAINAGE OF PANCREATIC PSEUDOCYST INTO THE STOMACH

Background: We present our experience with percutaneous ultrasonograph ically guided internal cystogastric drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts using a double pigtail catheter. Methods: In nine patients, the pancr eatic pseudocysts following acute pancreatitis were drained percutaneo usly into the stomach with the double pigtail catheter under ultrasono graphical (US) control. The needle insertion through both gastric wall s and the final position of the proximal curve of the catheter were mo nitored with a gastroscope. The position of the distal curve of the ca theter was checked by US. There were no procedure-related complication s. The patients were followed up monthly by clinical and US examinatio n. Results: At first follow-up I month after the intervention, none of the patients had evidence of the pseudocyst. The patients were not aw are of the catheter and functioned normally throughout the procedure a nd catheter removal. The catheter was removed endoscopically after 5-8 months. Conclusions: The method is minimally invasive and also feasib le in high-risk surgical patients. It requires a team consisting of an interventional radiologist, an ultrasonographer. and an endoscopist. In properly selected patients, the results are excellent.