Modified Video-Assisted Retroperitoneal Debridement for Infected Pancreatic Necrosis

Tarin C. Worrest, MD; Erin W. Gilbert, MD, FACS

Product Details
Product ID: ACS-5627
Year Produced: 2018
Length: 9 min.


Although uncommon, infected walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) is a serious clinical issue that has high morbidity and mortality rates up to 30%. Conservative percutaneous drainage and other minimally invasive methods have supplanted open debridement, as the 'Step-Up approach' is preferred in this patient population due to a reduction in mortality and serious morbidity of over 40%. In the original Step-Up approach, once infected WOPN was diagnosed, a percutaneous drain (or multiple drains) was placed preferably from the patient's left side. If there was no clinical improvement in 72hrs, these drains were up-sized with a VARD performed if the patient failed to improve within the next 72hrs. In this video, we present a case of a patient who developed infected, WOPN after acute alcoholoic pancreatitis. We present a novel, modified technique for VARD in this setting. Our technique differs from the originally described Step-Up approach in several ways. We perform VARD for failure to improve within 72hrs after the initial IR drain is placed. Our technique utilizes a cystoscope with an in-line grasper to remove necrotic tissue which allows for improved visualization. Continuous saline irrigation is used for visualization. Because our technique does not require up-sizing of the interventional radiology drain(s) patients may avoid additional procedures and may progress faster with earlier necrosectomy. Also, our technique can be carried out through a single 2cm incision. Careful review of pre-operative imaging is essential to allow safe debridement of necrotic tissue and to avoid damage to intraabdominal organs.