EUS-guided one-step drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts: experience in 3 patients

Background: EUS-guided drainage has been recognized as a nonsurgical treatm ent for pancreatic pseudocysts. Bleeding at the puncture site is a known co mplication of this procedure. This is a report of the use of new equipment for one-step drainage without the use of an electrosurgical needle, Methods: EUS-guided cystoenterostomy was performed in 3 patients. The mean size of the pseudocysts was 8 cm (head = 1,body = 2), A needle and drainage tube were inserted in a one-step procedure into the cyst through the acces sory channel of an echoendoscope under EUS. The drainage tube was released immediately after insertion, Observations: All 3 patients were treated successfully without complication . A drainage tube was inserted through the duodenal bulb (n = I) and the bo dy of the stomach (n = a),The drain was removed after 1 month in all patien ts. Two of the 3 drains were obstructed by sludge. One pseudocyst recurrenc e was observed at a mean follow-up of 3.6 months (range 2-6 months). Conclusions: The EUS-guided one-step system is simple to use and suitable f or drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts. It appears to minimize the risk of h emorrhage.