Percutaneous Catheter Drainage of Pancreatic Fluid Collections in Patients With Acute Pancreatitis

In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) for management of pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs). A total of 111 AP patients were included with 34 patients in conservative treatment group (received nutrition support and liquid resuscitation during hospitalization) and 77 patients in PCD group (accepted PCD during hospitalization). The APACHE II score, CRP value, procalcitonin (PCT) value, and WBC count of included patients were recorded for further comparison. The inflammation response of patients in both groups was assessed by measuring the mean time for the recovery of CRP level, WBC count, and amylase/lipase. Mortality, length of hospital stay, new-onset ICU admission or readmission, and new-onset multi-organ failure were also compared between the two groups. The pre-conditions of patients in both groups indicate the comparison of the two groups. The inflammatory response in PCD group was attenuated when compared with conservative treatment group evidenced by decreased mean time for recovery of CRP level in PCD group. In addition, patients in PCD groups had less complication rate (multi-organ failure and surgical debridement) than that in conservation treatment group. Patients in conservation treatment group had shorter hospital stay, but failed to achieve statistical significance. Evidence supported that PCD is an effective approach for management of PFCs after conservation treatment failure with decreased complication rate and attenuated inflammation responses.