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Resumen Introduccion La cirugia endoscopica y laparoscopica combinada (CELS) ha surgido como un metodo para el tratamiento de lesiones colonicas benignas complejas que, de otro modo, requeririan una reseccion quirurgica. El objetivo de este estudio es describir las distintas tecnicas CELS y evaluar su seguridad, en un procedimiento escasamente difundido en nuestro entorno. Metodo Estudio observacional, retrospectivo, donde se evaluaron los resultados a corto plazo de pacientes diagnosticados de polipos no resecables endoscopicamente sometidos a CELS entre octubre del 2018 a junio del 2020. Se valoraron los resultados postoperatorios, la estancia hospitalaria y los hallazgos patologicos. Resultados Diecisiete pacientes consecutivos fueron sometidos a CELS durante el periodo de estudio. El tamano medio de la lesion fue de 3,5 cm (rango 2,5 a 6,5 cm), la localizacion mas recurrente fue el ciego (10 de 17). La tecnica CELS mas frecuente aplicada fue la reseccion en cuna laparoscopica asistida por endoscopia (11 de 17). En cuatro pacientes, esta reseccion se combino con otra tecnica CELS. Dos casos se sometieron a una reseccion del segmento laparoscopico asistido por endoscopia. El exito de CELS en nuestra serie fue en 14 de 17 (82,4%). La mediana del tiempo quirurgico y estancia hospitalaria fue de 85 min (rango 50 a 225 min) y de dos dias (rango uno a 15 dias), respectivamente. Solo un paciente presento infeccion del organo-cavitaria que no requirio cirugia adicional. Conclusiones CELS es una tecnica segura multidisciplinar, que requiere la colaboracion entre gastroenterologos y cirujanos. Se puede considerar como una alternativa a la reseccion de colon para polipos benignos complejos.

Chronic pancreatitis is associated with impaired quality of life, high incidence of comorbidities, serious complications and mortality. Healthcare costs are exorbitant. Some medical societies have developed guidelines for treatment based on scientific evidence, but the gathered level of evidence for any individual topic is usually low and, therefore, recommendations tend to be vague or weak. In the present position papers on chronic pancreatitis from the Societat Catalana de Digestologia and the Societat Catalana de Pàncrees we aimed at providing defined position statements for the clinician based on updated review of published literature and on multidisciplinary expert agreement. The final goal is to propose the use of common terminology and rational diagnostic/therapeutic circuits based on current knowledge. To this end 51 sections related to chronic pancreatitis were reviewed by 21 specialists from 6 different fields to generate 88 statements altogether. Statements were designed to harmonize concepts or delineate recommendations. Part 2 of these paper series discuss topics on treatment and follow-up. The therapeutic approach should include assessment of etiological factors, clinical manifestations and complications. The complexity of these patients advocates for detailed evaluation in multidisciplinary committees where conservative, endoscopic, interventional radiology or surgical options are weighed. Specialized multidisciplinary units of Pancreatology should be constituted. Indications for surgery are refractory pain, local complications, and suspicion of malignancy. Enzyme replacement therapy is indicated if evidence of exocrine insufficiency or after pancreatic surgery. Response should be evaluated by nutritional parameters and assessment of symptoms. A follow-up program should be planned for every patient with chronic pancreatitis. © 2021 Elsevier España, S.L.U.

Resumen La pancreatitis cronica se asocia a calidad de vida deteriorada, elevada incidencia de comorbilidades, complicaciones graves y mortalidad. Los costes sanitarios son enormes. Algunas sociedades medicas han elaborado guias clinicas basadas en evidencia cientifica, pero el nivel de evidencia para cada aspecto de la enfermedad suele ser bajo y, consecuentemente, las recomendaciones tienden a ser vagas o debiles. En los presentes documentos de posicionamiento de la Societat Catalana de Digestologia y la Societat Catalana de Pancrees hemos buscado redactar declaraciones bien definidas orientadas al clinico, basadas en revisiones actualizadas de la literatura y acuerdos de expertos. El objetivo es proponer el uso de terminologia comun y circuitos diagnostico/terapeuticos racionales basados en el conocimiento actual. Para este fin se revisaron 51 secciones relacionadas con pancreatitis cronica por 21 expertos de 6 especialidades diferentes para generar finalmente 88 declaraciones que buscan armonizar conceptos y formular recomendaciones precisas. La parte 2 de esta serie de documentos discute temas sobre tratamiento y seguimiento. La aproximacion terapeutica debe incluir la evaluacion de factores etiologicos, manifestaciones clinicas y complicaciones. La complejidad de estos pacientes requiere un estudio detallado individualizado en comites multidisciplinares donde todas las opciones (conservadoras, endoscopicas, de radiologia intervencionista y quirurgicas) sean sopesadas. Deberian constituirse unidades especializadas de pancreatologia. Las indicaciones quirurgicas son dolor refractario, complicaciones locales y sospecha de neoplasia. El tratamiento enzimatico esta indicado si existe evidencia de insuficiencia exocrina o tras cirugia pancreatica. La respuesta debe evaluarse mediante parametros nutricionales y sintomas. Se debe planificar un programa de seguimiento para cada paciente.

Introduction: The degree of efficacy and duration of effect of the intragastric balloon (IGB) can be variable and unpredictable. The Spatz Adjustable Intragastric balloon (AIGB) was developed to extend implantation to 1 year, decrease the balloon volume for intolerance and increase the volume for a diminishing effect. The utility/efficacy and responder rate with the Spatz3 AIGB were the subjects of this study. Methods: The results of 227 consecutive patients, without exclusions, in 3 centres implanted with the Spatz3 AIGB were reviewed retrospectively. Mean BMI 35.9; mean weight 99.6 kg; mean Excess Body Weight Loss (EBWL) 30.6%; mean balloon volume 464ml (400–500 ml). Balloon volume adjustments were offered: downward adjustments for intolerance and upward adjustments for weight loss plateau. Results: 227 patients were implanted (mean 10.3 months) yielding a mean weight loss of 15.8 kg; mean 15.7% Total Body Weight Loss (TBWL) and 57.6% Excess Body Weight Loss (EBWL). Response (> 25% EBWL) was achieved in 83.3% of the patients. Downward adjustments in 15 patients (mean 2.3 weeks; mean –120 ml) allowed 12/15 (80%) to continue IGB therapy for a mean of 8.8 months. Upward adjustments in 107 patients (mean of 4.7 months; mean +284ml) yielded an additional mean weight loss of 8.5 kg. The upward-adjusted group at extraction had a mean weight loss of 17.8 kg; 17.2% TBWL and 59.2% EBWL. Two gastric ulcers: one due to NSAIDs and one healed with downward adjustment. Conclusions: In this retrospective review of 227 consecutive Spatz3 AIGB patients, upward adjustments yielded a mean 8.5 kg extra weight loss for those with a weight loss plateau, and downward adjustments alleviated early intolerance in 80% of the patients. These two adjustment functions may be instrumental in yielding a response rate of 83.3%

Chronic pancreatitis tends to develop a number of complications that may constitute the form of presentation of the disease. Some societies have issued guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of chronic pancreatitis complications, but the level of evidence for any topic is usually low and recommendations tend to be weak. We aimed at providing defined position statements for the clinician based on updated review of published literature and on multidisciplinary expert agreement. The goal was to propose defined terminology and rational diagnostic/therapeutic circuits based on current knowledge. To this end 14 sections related to complications and special forms of chronic pancreatitis (early chronic, groove and autoimmune pancreatitis) were reviewed by 21 specialists from 6 different fields to generate 32 statements. Featured statements assert common bile duct stenosis does not require invasive treatment (endoscopic or surgical) unless cholestasis, cholangitis, lithiasis or other symptoms develop. Pancreatic duct strictures and calculi should be approached (after ruling out malignancy) if causing pain, pancreatitis, pseudocysts or other complications. Treatment of symptomatic pseudocysts must be individualized, considering associated main duct stenosis, vascular and pericystic complications. Higher risk conditions for pancreatic cancer are advance age, smoking, genetic background, recent diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis or diabetes, and appearance of new symptoms. Groove pancreatitis can initially be treated with conservative measures. Both prednisolone or rituximab can induce remission and maintenance of autoimmune pancreatitis. Internal fistula, vascular complications, bacterial overgrowth, osteoporosis and renal lithiasis require specific therapeutic approaches.

Chronic pancreatitis is a chronic fibroinflammatory disease of the pancreas with prevalence around 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. It appears to originate from diverse and yet mixed etiological factors. It shows highly variable presenting features, complication types and disease progression rates. Treatment options are as wide as the multiple personalized scenarios the disease might exhibit at a given time point. Some medical societies have developed guidelines for diagnosis and treatment based on scientific evidence. Although these efforts are to be acknowledged, the gathered level of evidence for any topic is usually low and, therefore, recommendations tend to be vague or weak. In the present series of position papers on chronic pancreatitis from the Societat Catalana de Digestologia and the Societat Catalana de Pancrees we aimed at providing defined position statements for the clinician based on updated review of published literature and on interdisciplinary expert agreement. The final goal is to propose the use of common terminology and rational diagnostic/therapeutic circuits based on current knowledge. To this end 51 sections related to chronic pancreatitis were reviewed by 21 specialists from 6 different fields to generate 88 statements altogether. Statements were designed to harmonize concepts or delineate recommendations. Part 1 of this paper series discusses topics on aetiology and diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. Main clinical features are abdominal pain, exocrine and endocrine insufficiency and symptoms derived from complications. Some patients remain symptom-free. Diagnosis (definitive, probable or uncertain) should be based on objective data obtained from imaging, histology, or functional tests. (C) 2021 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Patients with cirrhosis often develop malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, leading to a worse prognosis and increased mortality. Our main goal was to assess the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. This was a prospective single-center study including 125 consecutive patients hospitalized for acute decompensation of cirrhosis (mostly of alcoholic etiology). A blood test including trace elements and vitamins was performed on admission. The main micronutrient deficiencies observed were vitamin D (in 94.5%), vitamin A (93.5%), vitamin B6 (60.8%) and zinc (85.6%). Patients in Child-Pugh class C had lower levels of vitamin A (p &lt, 0.0001), vitamin E (p = 0.01) and zinc (p &lt, 0.001), and higher levels of ferritin (p = 0.002) and vitamin B12 (p &lt, 0.001) than those in Child-Pugh class A and B. Patients with a higher model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score had lower levels of vitamin A (p &lt, 0.0001), vitamin E (p &lt, 0.001), magnesium (p = 0.01) and zinc (p = 0.001), and higher levels of ferritin (p = 0.002) and vitamin B12 (p &lt, 0.0001). Severe hepatic insufficiency correlated with lower levels of zinc, vitamin E and vitamin A, and higher levels of vitamin B12 and ferritin.

Background and aims: There is controversy about the length of low-residue diet (LRD) for colonoscopy preparation. The aim of the study was to compare one-day vs. three-day LRD associated to standard laxative treatment for achieving an adequate colonoscopy preparation in average risk subjects with positive fecal immunochemical test undergoing screening colonoscopy. Methods: A non-inferiority, randomized, controlled, parallel-group clinical trial was performed in the setting of average risk colorectal cancer screening program. Participants were randomized to receive 1-day vs. 3-day LRD in addition to standard polyethilenglicol treatment. Adequacy of preparation was evaluated using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Primary outcome was achieving a BBPS ≥ 2 in all colon segments. Analysis was performed for a non-inferiority margin of 5%, a 95% statistical power and one-sided 0.05 significance level. Results: A total of 855 patients were randomized. Adequate bowel preparation was similar between groups: 97.9% of patients in the 1-day LRD group vs 96.9% in the 3-day LRD group achieved the primary outcome (P-value for non-inferiority < 0.001). The percentage of patients with BBPS scores ≥ 8 was superior in the 1-day LRD group (254 vs 221 in the 3-day LRD group, P = 0.032). The 1-day regimen was better tolerated than the 3-day diet. 47.7% (vs 28.7%, P < 0.05) of patients rated the 1-day LRD as very easy to follow. Conclusion: The 1-day LRD is non-inferior to 3-day LRD for achieving an adequate colon cleansing before average risk screening colonoscopy and it is better tolerated. Keywords: bowel preparation; colonoscopy; colorectal cancer; screening.

Aim To determine the percentage of residual lesion observed in the pathology study of transanal endoscopic surgery (TEM) specimens after endoscopic polypectomy of malignant rectal polyps with questionable margins, and the need for further surgery. Secondary aims: to determine the morbidity and mortality associated with this procedure and to identify the percentage of recurrence after excision by TEM. Methods Observational study with prospective data collection of all patients undergoing TEM after endoscopic polypectomy for malignant rectal polyps or non-invasive high-grade neoplasia, from January 2004 to December 2016. An en bloc full-thickness wall excision of the scar was performed. Variables recorded: histology of TEM specimen, 30-day morbidity and mortality according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, need for salvage surgery and recurrence. Results Fifty out of 690 patients undergoing TEM during the study period (36 adenocarcinomas, five non-invasive high-grade neoplasias and 9 neuroendocrine tumors) were included. Post-surgery histology showed residual lesion in 21 (42%) patients: 7 neuroendocrine tumors, 10 adenomas and 4 adenocarcinomas (two pT1, one pT2 and one pT3). The pT2 and pT3 patients (4%) underwent salvage surgery. No recurrence was observed, and mean follow-up was 29.1Â ± 21.6 months. The 30-day morbidity rate was 14%, but 4/7 with Clavien-Dindo grade I. Conclusions After endoscopic polypectomy of malignant rectal polyps with questionable margins, the presence of residual lesion in the pathology study of transanal resection specimens is high. TEM with full-thickness resection of these lesions is an appropriate treatment, allowing disease control and achieving minimal morbidity.

The incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) is increasing. AP is one of the gastrointestinal diseases that most frequently requires hospital admission in affected individuals. In the last few years, considerable scientific evidence has led to substantial changes in the medical and surgical treatment of this disease. New knowledge of the physiopathology of AP indicates that its severity is influenced by its systemic effects (organ failure), especially if the disease is persistent, and also by local complications (fluid collections or necrosis), especially if these become infected. Treatment should be personalized and depends on the patient's clinical status, the location of the necrosis, and disease stage.

BACKGROUND Whether current smoking worsens the clinical course of microscopic colitis (MC) is unknown. The aim was to evaluate the impact of smoking on the clinical course of MC. METHODS One hundred and eighty-four patients (72% women; age, 62.4 ± 1.1 years) with MC (118 collagenous colitis (CC) and 66 lymphocytic colitis (LC) were evaluated (39 of them were current smokers). In all the patients, smoking habits and clinical data at presentation, response to therapy, and clinical relapses during follow-up were prospectively recorded. Risk factors for clinical relapse were studied in 160 patients after a mean follow-up of 28 ± 1 months. Cox regression analysis was used to adjust for confounding variables. RESULTS Age at diarrhea onset was 63.0 ± 1.4 years in nonsmokers and 50.4 ± 2.1 years in current smokers (P < 0.001). There was no significant influence of smoking habit on either clinical symptoms at diagnosis or clinical remission rate. Clinical relapse rate was 25.5% for CC and 29.6% for LC, with the mean relapse-free time 28.8 months (95% confidence interval, 26.3-31.4) for CC and 26.9 months (95% confidence interval, 26-30.3) for LC (P = 0.5). Multivariate analysis showed that age at diagnosis (

Resumen La unidad de atencion continuada y hospital de dia permite el manejo ambulatorio de los pacientes con una enfermedad digestiva. Objetivo Disminuir los ingresos hospitalarios y el numero de pacientes con una enfermedad digestiva que acude a urgencias. Material y metodos Los pacientes se atienden segun dos niveles asistenciales: a) atencion continuada, en que se visitan de forma urgente los pacientes con una descompensacion aguda de su enfermedad digestiva, y b) atencion programada, en que se realizan procedimientos que por su complejidad requieren personal de enfermeria, sin ser necesario el ingreso hospitalario. Resultados En el periodo comprendido entre 1995 y 2005 se ha pasado de realizar 118 visitas en atencion continuada en 1995 a 784 en 2005. En atencion programada las paracentesis han aumentado de 237 en 1995 a 687 en 2006 y las infusiones de hierro intravenoso de 111 en 2004 a 519 en 2006. El numero de ingresos hospitalarios paso inicialmente de 605 en 1995 a 430 en 2000, para posteriormente aumentar. El numero de pacientes con una enfermedad digestiva que acudio a urgencias disminuyo un 75% estos anos. Conclusiones La unidad de atencion continuada y hospital de dia permite una disminucion inicial del numero de ingresos en el area de hospitalizacion convencional y en el porcentaje de pacientes con patologia digestiva que acuden a urgencias.

The incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) is increasing. AP is one of the gastrointestinal diseases that most frequently requires hospital admission in affected individuals. In the last few years, considerable scientific evidence has led to substantial changes in the medical and surgical treatment of this disease. New knowledge of the physiopathology of AP indicates that its severity is influenced by its systemic effects (organ failure), especially if the disease is persistent, and also by local complications (fluid collections or necrosis), especially if these become infected. Treatment should be personalized and depends on the patient's clinical status, the location of the necrosis, and disease stage.

We determined the bioavailability of vitamin E from self-assembly structures in patients with diagnosed chronic pancreas insufficiency. Vitamin E solubilized in dispersed inverted bicontinuous cubic phase and in micellar formulation was delivered directly to the small intestine by tube-feeding. A cross-over study with randomization of 6 subjects and 2 treatments including a combined dose of 18 mg (27 IU) of vitamin E (RRR-[5,7-methyl-(2H6)]-?-tocopherol) and 27 mg (27 IU) vitamin E acetate (RRR-[5-methyl-2H3]-?-tocopheryl acetate) was applied over a time period of 1 h. Plasma samples were collected for 56 h and analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Appearance of labeled tocopherols originating from the treatment started at 25 h and reached Cmax (0.6–4.6 ?M depending on subject) in the 7–9 h window. From the Tmax onwards, both forms of tocopherols diminished slowly to 30–50% of their maxima within 56 h. Strong inter-individual variation was observed in the plasma appearance curves (relative standard deviation varied between 38–45%). No significant discrimination was found between the absorption of free or acetylated forms of deuterated ?-tocopherol confirming that application of acetylated ?-tocopherol provides the same bioavailability as free ?-tocopherol. This observation is valid in both dispersed inverted bicontinuous cubic phase and micellar formulations. Furthermore, since the area-under-the-curve values from cubic phase and from micellar formulations are similar, the cubic phase formulation could represent an alternative delivery system for lipophilic micronutrients in conditions or studies where polysorbate-based micelles cannot be generated.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) constitutes a poorly understood multisystemic disease of vascular origin that may involve any organ by thrombotic occlusions of the small vessels. Treatment with plasmapheresis is the best therapeutic option at this present moment. Involvement of the pancreas is a well established feature of this disease, which has generally been interpreted as a consequence of pancreatic vascular compromise. However, there are a few cases in the literature in which the clinical signs of TTP developed well after the clinical and laboratory demonstration of acute pancreatitis (AP). Therefore, the possibility of pancreatic inflammation as a triggering factor of TTP may need to be considered. This cause-effect relationship between AP and TTP remains unclear. We report a patient with chronic pancreatitis presenting with two episodes of TTP, triggered by acute relapses of pancreatitis. TTP may, thus, constitute a hematological complication of AP. We discuss the pathophysiological aspects of this association, along with therapeutical options.

The cause of collagenous colitis (CC) and lymphocytic colitis (LC) is unknown and epidemiological risk factors for CC and LC are not well studied. The aim was to evaluate in a case-control study epidemiological risk factors for CC and LC.In all, 120 patients with CC, 70 with CL, and 128 controls were included. For all cases and controls information was prospectively recorded. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed separately for CC and LC.Independent associations observed with the diagnosis of CC were: current smoking (odds ratio [OR], 2.4), history of polyarthritis (OR, 20.8), and consumption of lansoprazole (OR, 6.4), low-dose aspirin (OR, 3.8), beta-blockers (OR, 3.6), and angiotensin II receptor antagonists (OR 0.20). In the case of LC they were: current smoking (OR, 3.8), associated autoimmune diseases (OR, 8), and consumption of sertraline (OR, 17.5), omeprazole (OR 2.7), low-dose aspirin (OR, 4.7), and oral antidiabetic drugs (OR, 0.14).The consumption of drugs, current smoking, and associated autoimmune diseases were independently associated with the risk of microscopic colitis.

Background: The optimal therapy for bleeding small bowel vascular lesions is controversial. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of endoscopic band ligation in this clinical condition. Methods: Fourteen patients bleeding from angiodysplasia and 4 bleeding from Dieulafoy's lesions located in the small bowel were included in this pilot study. Endoscopic band ligation was performed by using less than 200 mBar negative pressure in suctioning the target lesion into the ligation cap just before band release. Mean follow-up was 18 months (range 6–31 months). Observations : Endoscopic band ligation achieved hemostasis in a single session in all patients. No adverse events occurred except for mild abdominal pain in two patients. Mortality was null, and no patient required further blood transfusion during the 40 days after endoscopic band ligation. No patient with Dieulafoy's lesion had further bleeding, whereas bleeding recurred in 6 of 14 (43%) patients with angiodysplasia during long-term follow-up. Conclusions: Endoscopic band ligation is safe and effective for treatment of acutely bleeding small bowel vascular lesions. Although endoscopic band ligation is definitive therapy for Dieulafoy's lesion, long-term efficacy in the treatment of Gl bleeding from angiodysplasia is limited.

Background and Aims: Instillation of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) into the rat pancreatic ducts induces morphological changes resembling human chronic pancreatitis. In humans, alcoholism is commonly associated with chronic pancreatitis, but ethanol feeding fails to induce pancreatitis in experimental animals. We hypothesized that ethanol would manifest its pathogenetic effects on a duct-injured pancreas. Methods: Chronic pancreatitis was induced in rats by instillation of TNBS into pancreatic ducts. Thereafter, rats were fed a normal chow diet with or without ethanol supplementation. Control rats received vehicle and a normal diet. A separate group of vehicle-treated rats were also fed with ethanol. At 2 and 4 weeks pancreata were excised and processed for morphological examination or for biochemical assays. From crude homogenates, protein and hydroxyproline were quantified. After sonication, homogenates were also assayed for amylase and DNA. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed on the fourth week. Results: TNBS induced chronic fibrogenic pancreatitis that was associated with a reduction in pancreatic weight, DNA, protein and amylase as compared to control rats. Ethanol feeding to TNBS-treated animals slowed weight gain, increased fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance test. Larger areas of gland atrophy were observed with a striking disruption of the normal architecture of the islets. Ethanol accelerated pancreatic involution and collagen deposition as measured by total amylase, protein, DNA and hydroxyproline content. Conclusions: In TNBS chronic pancreatitis, active fibrogenesis is associated with progressive atrophy of glandular elements. Morphological and biochemical parameters are aggravated by sustained ethanol intake.

peptic ulcers 3(9%) (p=0.02). On histology, 24 (71%) patients with chronic active gastritis had CLR mutations compared to 10 (29%) with chronic inflammation and gastric carcinoma and lymphoma 1(3%) (p= 0.004). Conclusion: Clarithromycin mutations were present in clinical isolates of H. pylori. They were significantly associated with endoscopic gastritis with chronic active gastritis compared to peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma.

Pancreatic Endoscopic-Percutaneous Rendezvous Through Jejunostomy for Treating Complex Pancreatic Postsurgical Fistula Rafel Campo, Joan Falco, Enric Brullet, Felix Junquera, Valenti Puig-Divi, Mercedes Vergara, Mireia Miquel, Xavier Calvet Introduction: Management of complex pancreatic fistula can be challenging, especially in patients with gastrointestinal anatomy distorted by prior surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first time a combined endoscopic-percutaneous procedure has been used to treat pancreatic fistula. Case report: A 44-year-old male underwent subtotal esophagectomy and esophagogastric anastomosis for Boerhaave syndrome in 1994. Afterwards, he required surgical repair of a gastrocutaneous fistula on three occasions. Finally, in 2004 total gastrectomy, esophagostomy, and feeding jejunostomy were performed after a surgical attempt to repair a retroesternal gastrocutaneous fistula. A pancreato-cutaneous fistula appearing in the postoperative period did not respond to conservative management with octreotide and total parenteral nutrition. Due to the impossibility of standard ERCP, a radiological percutaneous puncture of the Wirsung duct in the pancreatic tail was performed in order to insert a drainage catheter to the duodenum. However, a Wirsung duct stenosis impeded this procedure, and it was only possible to position a guide-wire in the Wirsung duct and exit through the orifice of the cutaneous fistula. Therefore, a combined endoscopic-percutaneous procedure was performed. The jejunostomy was dilated with a 15-mm pneumatic balloon and a videogastroscope was introduced to the papilla. After cannulation of the Wirsung duct, it was only possible to place a guide-wire through the fistulous tract and exit through the cutaneous orifice, in parallel with the previously placed percutaneous guide-wire. The percutaneous guide-wire was replaced by a catheter and the endoscopic guide-wire was then introduced into the catheter until it exited through the tip of the catheter on the side of the percutaneous puncture. The catheter was withdrawn and the two extremes of the guide-wire were pulled so that it was aligned in the Wirsung duct. This made it possible to insert a 7 F plastic prosthesis through the pancreatic stenosis and resolved the fistula. Discussion: The interest of the present case is centered in three aspects not previously published: 1) The combined pancreatic endoscopic-percutaneous rendezvous to treat a pancreatic fistula, 2) the procedure to reach the papilla through a feeding jejunostomy, and 3) the technique of exchanging two guidewires that run in parallel through the cutaneous orifice of a pancreatic fistula.

Despite being a common disease in humans, little is known about the etiopathogenesis of and effective therapeutic approaches to chronic pancreatitis, due mainly to the fact that few simple animal models suitable to study inflammatory and fibrogenetic processes have been described in the pancreas. Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) induces chronic colitis and cholangitis in the rat. We hypothesized that TNBS instillation into the pancreatic ducts could also result in the development of a chronic pancreatic disease. The biliopancreatic duct of rats was cannulated and tied close to the liver. TNBS [0.4 ml of 2% TNBS in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-10% ethanol, pH 8] was infused into the pancreas under a continuous controlled-pressure system. Control rats underwent the same procedure using vehicle only. Pathology assessment of TNBS-treated rats examined at 48 h was consistent with severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis, having a morality rate of 31% and serum amylase activity of 37.4 +/- 8.8 U/ml at 24 h and 13.3 +/- 1.7 U/ml at 48 h (p < 0.01 for both time points compared to PBS/ethanol-treated rats). Groups of 10 rats each were killed at 3, 4, and 6 week after the surgical procedure. Morphological examination revealed changes mimicking features of chronic pancreatitis in humans in 80% (32 of 40) of TNBS-treated rats, consisting in various degrees of periductal and lobular fibrosis, duct stenosis, patchy acute and chronic inflammatory cell infiltrates, and signs of gland atrophy. Animals developing chronic disease had a weight gain rate significantly lower than that of control rats. Serum amylase, fasting glucose, and a glucose tolerance test were not different in diseased or control rats. In conclusion, we were able to induce chronic fibrogenetic inflammatory disease in the pancreas after a single pulse instillation of TNBS into the pancreatic ducts. This might be a useful animal model to study the pathophysiology of inflammatory, fibrogenetic, and reparative processes in pancreatic tissue.