DEBRIDEMENT AND CLOSED PACKING FOR THE TREATMENT OF NECROTIZING PANCREATITIS

Objective To evaluate the results of debridement and closed packing fo r necrotizing pancreatitis and to determine the optimal timing of surg ical intervention based on patient outcomes. Methods Between February 1990 and November 1996, 64 consecutive patients with necrotizing pancr eatitis were treated with necrosectomy followed by closed packing of t he cavity with stuffed Penrose and closed suction drains. The mean APA CHE II score immediately before surgery was 9, and 31% of the patients had organ failure. Patients were stratified with an outcome score bas ed on death and major complications; this was correlated with the timi ng of surgical intervention. The data were then subjected to cut-point analysis by sequential group comparison. Results Patients underwent s urgery a median of 31 days after diagnosis. Fifty-six percent had infe cted necrosis. The mortality rate was 6.2% and was no different in inf ected or sterile necrosis. Eleven patients required a second surgical procedure and 13 required percutaneous drainage; a single surgical pro cedure sufficed in 69%. Enteric fistulae occurred in 16% of patients. The mean hospital stay after surgery was 41 days, and the interval unt il return to regular activities was 147 days. A significant negative c orrelation between duration of pancreatitis and outcome scores was fou nd, and sequential group comparison demonstrated that the change point at which significantly better outcomes were encountered was day 27, C onclusion Debridement of pancreatic necrosis followed by closed packin g and drainage is accomplished with a low mortality rate and reduced r ates of complications and second surgical procedures. Although interve ntion is best deferred until the demarcation of necrosis is complete, delay beyond the fourth week confers no additional advantage.