Outcome of Video-assisted Translumbar Retroperitoneal Necrosectomy and Closed Lavage for Severe Necrotizing Pancreatitis

Introduction And Objective: Surgery for necrotizing pancreatitis is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. We present a series of 26 patients who underwent video-assisted translumbar retroperitoneal necrosectomy and analyse their outcomes.

Methods: Records of 26 patients who underwent video-assisted translumbar retroperitoneal necrosectomy and closed drainage for infected pancreatitic necrosis between January 2008 and March 2012 were reviewed, retrospectively.

Results: Twenty-three out of 26 patients were males, with a mean age of 38.6 (±9.9) years. Alcohol was the aetiology in 18 patients, gall stones in 7, and in 1 it was idiopathic. The mean duration of symptoms before patients were taken up for surgery was 47.2 (±34.8) days. The mean computed tomography severity index was 7.7 (±1.2). All patients had undergone video-assisted retroperitoneal necrosectomy through a limited left lumbar incision. Post-operative lavage was given through drains placed in the retroperitoneum. Three patients required re-exploration. Eleven patients developed complications and there were two mortalities. The median intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 4 days (range 2-14 days). The mean post-operative hospital stay was 22.5 (±6.6) days.

Conclusion: Video-assisted translumbar retroperitoneal necrosectomy followed by closed lavage of infected pancreatic necrosis in select cases of infected pancreatic necrosis was associated with a low rate of ICU stay, hospital stay and need for re-entry.