Alcoholic vs. non-alcoholic chronic pancreatitis: surgeons' perspective from a tertiary centre in india / Perspectiva dos cirurgiões sobre pancreatite crônica alcoólica vs. não-alcoólica de um centro terciário na índia

ABSTRACT Background: Although alcohol is the most common cause for chronic pancreatitis worldwide, idiopathic type is prevalent in India. Natural history and disease progression are different between these two groups. There is paucity of data comparing surgical outcome and quality of life in these patients. Aim: To evaluate clinical features, surgical outcome and quality of life between these two groups of patients. Method: All patients with chronic pancreatitis who underwent surgery were prospectively reviewed. Results: From 98 patients, 42 were alcoholic. Number of male and the mean age at the time of operation was significantly more in alcoholic patients. Smoking, preoperative hospital admission rate and the prevalence of local complications like inflammatory pancreatic head mass, biliary stricture and left sided portal hypertension were distinctly more common in alcoholic group. Frey procedure was required more commonly in alcoholic group. Mean postoperative hospital stay and overall postoperative complication rate were comparable between the two groups. Over a median follow up of 18 months there was significant improvement in quality of life and pain score in both the groups. Improvement of physical functioning score at follow-up was significantly more in alcoholic group but the requirement for analgesic medications were significantly more in alcoholic group. However, appetite loss was more perceived by non-alcoholic group. Conclusion: Alcoholic chronic pancreatitis presents with more local complications associated with chronic pancreatitis. Frey procedure is a safe and well accepted surgery in this group. Though they required more analgesic requirement in short term follow up, other aspects of quality of life are similar to non-alcoholic group.

RESUMO Racional: Embora o álcool seja a causa mais comum de pancreatite crônica em todo o mundo, a forma idiopática é prevalente na Índia. A história natural e a progressão da doença são diferentes entre esses dois grupos. Há escassez de dados comparando o resultado cirúrgico e a qualidade de vida entre eles. Objetivo: Avaliar as características clínicas, o resultado cirúrgico e a qualidade de vida entre esses dois grupos de pacientes. Método: Todos os pacientes com pancreatite crônica operados foram revisados ​​retrospectivamente. Resultados: Do total de 98 pacientes, 42 eram alcoolistas. O número de homens e a idade média no momento da operação foi significativamente maior nos alcoolistas. Tabagismo, taxa de internação pré-operatória e prevalência de complicações locais como massa inflamatória da cabeça do pâncreas, estenose biliar e hipertensão portal do lado esquerdo foram distintamente mais comuns no grupo de alcoolistas e o procedimento de Frey foi exigido mais comumente neste grupo. A média de internação pós-operatória e a taxa geral de complicações pós-operatórias foram comparáveis ​​entre os dois grupos. Ao longo de acompanhamento médio de 18 meses houve melhora significativa na qualidade de vida e pontuação de dor em ambos os grupos. A melhora no escore de funcionamento físico foi significativamente maior no grupo de alcoolistas, mas a necessidade de medicamentos analgésicos foi significativamente maior nos alcoolistas. No entanto, a perda de apetite foi mais percebida pelo grupo não alcoólico. Conclusão: A pancreatite crônica alcoólica se apresenta com mais complicações locais associadas à pancreatite crônica. O procedimento de Frey é operação segura e bem aceita neste grupo. Embora exigissem mais necessidade de analgésicos no acompanhamento em curto prazo, outros aspectos da qualidade de vida são semelhantes ao grupo não alcoólico.

Efectividad de cirugía de Frey en pacientes con pancreatitis crónica del Hospital General Docente Dr. Agostinho Neto, Guantánamo / Efetividade de cirugía de Frey em pacientes com pancreatite crônica do Hospital General Docente Dr. Agostinho Neto, Guantánamo / Effectiveness of Frey's surgery in patients with chronic pancreatitis of the General Teaching Hospital Dr. Agostinho Neto, Guantanamo

Introducción: la pancreatitis crónica es la inflamación de la glándula pancreática de causa múltiple, que produce dolor y daños en el parénquima. Entre sus tratamientos se encuentra la resección local de la cabeza del páncreas (excavación) con pancreaticoyeyunostomía laterolateral, conocida como cirugía de Frey. Objetivo: demostrar la eficacia de la cirugía de Frey para pacientes con dolor por pancreatitis crónica. Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo y prospectivo en 8 pacientes egresados con pancreatitis crónica intervenidos quirúrgicamente en el servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital General Docente Dr Agostinho Neto, Guantánamo, a los cuales se les aplicó cirugía de Frey. Entre las variables que se analizaron se encontraron: promedio de edad, sexo, antecedentes patológicos personales, tiempo promedio de la intervención quirúrgica, promedio de sangre transfundida, morbilidad, mortalidad y seguimiento promedio. Resultados: la edad promedio fue de 51 años, el sexo predominante fue el masculino y el alcoholismo fue la primera causa de pancreatitis crónica. El tiempo quirúrgico alcanzó un promedio de 282 min y el promedio de transfusión de sangre fue de 506,25 ml. La morbilidad posoperatoria fue de 25,0 por ciento y no hubo mortalidad. El seguimiento de los pacientes obtuvo un promedio de 42,25 meses y el 87,56 por ciento notó ausencia de dolor luego de la intervención. Conclusiones: la cirugía de Frey es segura, eficaz y con buenos resultados para tratar el dolor de la pancreatitis crónica, sobre todo aquellas con una masa inflamatoria en la cabeza del páncreas, por lo que recomendamos su uso(AU)

Introduction: chronic pancreatitis is the inflammation of the multiple-cause pancreatic gland, which produces pain and damage to the parenchyma, progressive and irreversible, with fibrosis and stenosis of the ducts. Among its treatments is the local resection of the head of the pancreas (excavation) with laterolateral pancreaticojejunostomy, known as Frey's surgery. Objective: to demonstrate the efficacy of Frey's surgery for patients with pain due to chronic pancreatitis. Method: a descriptive and prospective study was carried out in 8 patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis operated in the General Surgery Department of the General Teaching Hospital Dr Agostinho Neto, Guantanamo, to whom Frey's surgery was applied. The variables were analyzed: average age, sex, personal pathological history, average time of surgery, average blood transfusion, morbidity, mortality and average follow-up. Results: the average age was 51 years, the predominant sex was male and alcoholism was the first cause of chronic pancreatitis. The main conduit of the pancreas had an average diameter of 13.8 mm and the head of the pancreas had an average measurement of 49 mm; the surgical time averaged 282 min and the average blood transfusion was 506.25 ml. Postoperative morbidity was 25.0 percent and there was no mortality. The follow-up of the patients obtained an average of 42.25 months and 87.56 percent reported absence of pain after the intervention. During follow-up there was no new onset diabetes or steatorrhea. Conclusions: Frey's surgery is safe, effective and with good results to treat the pain of chronic pancreatitis, especially those with an inflammatory mass in the head of the pancreas, so the authors recommend its use(AU)

Introdução: pancreatite crônica é a inflamação da glândula pancreática de múltiplas causas, que produz dor e danifica o parênquima. Entre seus tratamentos está a ressecção local da cabeça do pâncreas (escavação) com pancreaticojejunostomia laterolateral, conhecida como cirurgia de Frey. Objetivo: demonstrar a efetividade da cirurgia de Frey em pacientes com dor por pancreatite crônica. Método: estudo descritivo e prospectivo, realizado em 8 pacientes com pancreatite crônica, submetidos à cirurgia no serviço de cirurgia geral do Hospital Universitário Dr. Agostinho Neto, Guantánamo, aos quais foi aplicada a cirurgia de Frey. Entre as variáveis analisadas estavam: idade média, sexo, histórico patológico pessoal, tempo médio de cirurgia, transfusão sanguínea média, morbidade, mortalidade e tempo médio de seguimento. Resultados: a média de idade foi de 51 anos, o sexo predominante foi masculino e o alcoolismo foi a primeira causa de pancreatite crônica. O tempo cirúrgico foi em média de 282 min e a transfusão de sangue média foi de 506,25 ml. A morbidade pós-operatória foi de 25,0 por cento e não houve mortalidade. O seguimento dos pacientes obteve uma média de 42,25 meses e 87,56 por cento relataram ausência de dor após a intervenção. Conclusões: a cirurgia de Frey é segura, efetiva e com bons resultados no tratamento da dor da pancreatite crônica, principalmente naqueles com massa inflamatória na cabeça do pâncreas, por isso recomendamos seu uso(AU)

Pseudoaneurisma de aorta abdominal como complicação de pancreatite crônica: relato de caso / Abdominal aortic pseudoaneurysm as a complication of chronic pancreatitis: case report

A pancreatite crônica é uma enfermidade associada a diversas complicações vasculares, como pseudocisto hemorrágico, trombose do sistema venoso portal e formações varicosas e pseudoaneurismáticas. O pseudoaneurisma de aorta abdominal secundário à pancreatite crônica é uma complicação rara, de difícil suspeição clínica, que requer tratamento complexo. A fisiopatologia dessa condição envolve a corrosão enzimática tecidual após a liberação e ativação de enzimas exócrinas proteolíticas das células acinares do pâncreas. O presente estudo relata o caso de um paciente de 52 anos, etilista crônico, internado com dor abdominal difusa, cuja propedêutica revelou se tratar de um pseudoaneurisma em aorta infrarrenal. Optou-se pelo tratamento cirúrgico convencional, levando-se em consideração a idade, as condições clínicas do paciente e a disponibilidade de endopróteses compatíveis com o diâmetro da aorta

Chronic pancreatitis can be complicated by several vascular disorders, such as bleeding pseudocysts, thrombosis of the venous portal system, varicosities, and pseudoaneurysms. Pseudoaneurysm of the abdominal aorta secondary to chronic pancreatitis is a rare complication. It is a challenging clinical situation, demanding a high degree of clinical suspicion, and requires complex therapeutic procedures. The pathophysiology of this condition involves interstitial liberation and activation of enzymes from the exocrine pancreatic glands and subsequent digestion of the surrounding tissues. In the present case report, we describe a 52-year-old patient complaining of diffuse abdominal pains. Clinical investigation revealed chronic alcoholism and imaging examinations showed a pseudoaneurysm of the infrarenal aorta. We decided to perform conventional surgical treatment after considering the patient's age and clinical status and the endoprostheses available at our hospital with diameters compatible with the patient's aorta

Pancreatitis, genes y autotrasplante de islotes: actualizaciones y nuevos horizontes / Pancreatitis, genes and islet cells auto transplant: updates and new horizons

La pancreatitis es una inflamación del páncreas que puede progresar de una presentación aguda, a una presentación aguda recurrente y eventualmente a pancreatitis crónica, caracterizada por cambios morfológicos y formación de cicatriz los cuales son irreversibles. La entidad conocida como pancreatitis hereditaria ha sido reconocida en la literatura por años y ciertamente el hallazgo del gen PRSS1 en 1996 marcó el inicio de una era de descubrimientos genéticos asociados a dicha enfermedad. Desde entonces, múltiples genes han sido descritos como causa de pancreatitis hereditaria o modificadores de la enfermedad, entre los que se destacan el PRSS1, SPINK1, CFTR, CASR, CTRC, CLDN2 y CPA1 entre otros. La selección de pacientes a la que se le va a practicar los estudios genéticos correspondientes debe ser guiada por las recomendaciones de los expertos y debe cumplir con los criterios correspondientes. El tratamiento, una vez hecho el diagnóstico, debe ser adaptado en base a las necesidades particulares de cada paciente. Ciertamente, el advenimiento de la pancreatectomía total con auto trasplante, cuyo principal objetivo es aliviar el dolor ocasionado por la pancreatitis crónica a la vez que se reduce la severidad de la diabetes inducida por la pancreatectomía, es una alternativa atractiva en el tratamiento y manejo de pacientes con diagnóstico de pancreatitis hereditaria. Sin embargo, estrictos criterios y un manejo interdisciplinario son esenciales ya que éste es un procedimiento irreversible y tiene consecuencias médicas por el resto de la vida que todo paciente tiene que conocer y que a su vez, el equipo médico debe saber identificar y tratar a tiempo. Sin embargo, existen muchas áreas potenciales en este campo para investigaciones que sean mayores, mejores y a la vanguardia para lograr un mejor entendimiento y desarrollar potenciales curas para esta enfermedad

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that can progress from an acute presentation to an acute recurring presentation and eventually to chronic pancreatitis, which is characterized by irreversible morphological changes and scarring of the pancreas. The entity known as hereditary pancreatitis has been recognized in the literature for years and certainly the discovery of the PRSS1 gene in 1996 marked the beginning of a new era of genetic discoveries associated with the disease. Since then, multiple genes have been described as the causing agents of pancreatitis or disease modifiers, some of the most important ones being the PRSS1, SPINK1, CFTR, CASR, CTRC, CLDN2, and CPA1. The patient selection process for genetic testing should be guided by the current experts’ recommendations and should meet specific corresponding criteria. Once the diagnosis has been made, treatment should be tailored to each patient’s particular needs. Certainly, the advent of the total pancreatectomy with auto islet cell transplantation, which has the main goal to improve the pain caused by the chronic pancreatitis and simultaneously reduce the severity of the pancreatectomy induced diabetes, is an attractive alternative in the treatment and management of patient with a diagnosis of hereditary pancreatitis. However, strict criteria and an interdisciplinary management are essential since this surgery is irreversible and carries lifetime health consequences that all patients must be aware of and the medical team must be able to early recognize these and treat accordingly. However, there are many potential areas in this field for more, better and forefront research to be developed aiming for a better understanding of the disease process and for the development of a cure

Extracción endoscópica de cálculos pancreáticos en pancreatitis crónica para evitar reagudizaciones / Endoscopic extraction of pancreatic stones in chronic pancreatitis with the aim to prevent acute flares

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is defined by chronic inflammation of the pancreas with progressive replacement by fibrosis that produces characteristic morphological changes. The clinical picture is variable, being the main problem the pain and relapses of pancreatitis with possible local complications. Over time, the result is the development of exocrine and endocrine failure. In the initial phase, flare-ups of CP can not be distinguished from recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP). If there are intraductal stones in the duct of Wirsung, endoscopic extraction of obstructive stones may be the first step to prevent new relapses and complications. We present the case of a patient with five episodes of acute pancreatitis (AP), three of them in the past five months. The patient was referred for study and management of RAP. His recent imaging study already showed dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, calcifications and pancreatic stones, compatible with CP. Although the hypertriglyceridemia participated in the etiology of AP, the last two episodes already occurred with normal values of triglycerides. Another possible etiologic factor was not found. His laboratory results did not show endocrine or exocrine insufficiency. The patient was treated with papillotomy, pancreatic stone extraction and installation of terapeutic pancreatic stent. He has been asymptomatic, free from new episodes of AP in the past six months. In conclusion, the CP is one of the possible causes of RAP. Endoscopic treatment by obstructive stone extraction is an efficient therapy to avoid new relapse.

La pancreatitis crónica (PC) se define por la inflamación crónica del páncreas con reemplazo progresivo por fibrosis que produce cambios morfológicos característicos. El cuadro clínico es variable, siendo el principal problema el dolor, reagudizaciones de pancreatitis con eventuales complicaciones locales. Con el tiempo, el resultado final es el desarrollo de insuficiencia exocrina y endocrina. En la fase inicial, no se puede distinguir las reagudizaciones de la PC de una pancreatitis aguda recurrente (PAR). Si se encuentran cálculos intraductales en el conducto de Wirsung, la extracción endoscópica de cálculos obstructivos puede ser el primer paso para prevenir nuevas recaídas y complicaciones. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con cinco episodios de pancreatitis aguda (PA), tres de ellos en los últimos cinco meses. El paciente fue derivado para estudio y manejo de PAR. Su estudio imagenológico reciente ya demostró dilatación del conducto pancreático principal, calcificaciones y cálculos pancreáticos, compatible con PC. Aunque la hipertrigliceridemia participó en la etiología de las PA, los últimos dos episodios ocurrieron con valores normales de triglicéridos. No se encontró otro factor etiológico posible. Su estudio de laboratorio no mostró insuficiencia exocrina ni endocrina. El paciente fue tratado mediante papilotomía, extracción de cálculos pancreáticos e instalación de prótesis pancreática terapéutica. Ha estado asintomático, libre de nuevos episodios de PA en los seis meses transcurridos. En conclusión, la PC es una de las posibles causas de PAR. El tratamiento endoscópico mediante extracción de cálculos obstructivos es una terapia eficiente para evitar nuevas recaídas.

Comparing the enzyme replacement therapy cost in post pancreatectomy patients due to pancreatic tumor and chronic pancreatitis

ABSTRACT Background - Among late postoperative complications of pancreatectomy are the exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiencies. The presence of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency imposes, as standard treatment, pancreatic enzyme replacement. Patients with chronic pancreatitis, with intractable pain or any complications with surgical treatment, are likely to present exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or have this condition worsened requiring adequate dose of pancreatic enzymes. Objective - The aim of this study is to compare the required dose of pancreatic enzyme and the enzyme replacement cost in post pancreatectomy patients with and without chronic pancreatitis. Methods - Observational cross-sectional study. In the first half of 2015 patients treated at the clinic of the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery at Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil, who underwent pancreatectomy for at least 6 months and in use of enzyme replacement therapy were included in this series. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of chronic pancreatitis prior to pancreatic surgery. For this study, P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results - The annual cost of the treatment was R$ 2150.5 ± 729.39; R$ 2118.18 ± 731.02 in patients without pancreatitis and R$ 2217.74 ± 736.30 in patients with pancreatitis. Conclusion - There was no statistically significant difference in the cost of treatment of enzyme replacement post pancreatectomy in patients with or without chronic pancreatitis prior to surgical indication.

RESUMO Contexto - Dentre as complicações pós-operatórias tardias da pancreatectomia estão as insuficiências pancreáticas exócrina e endócrina. O reconhecimento da presença de insuficiência pancreática exócrina impõe, como tratamento padrão, a reposição de enzimas pancreáticas. Pacientes portadores de pancreatite crônica, com dor clinicamente intratável ou com alguma complicação com indicação de tratamento cirúrgico, podem vir a apresentar insuficiência pancreática exócrina ou ter essa condição agravada requerendo adequação de dose de enzimas pancreáticas. Objetivo - O objetivo deste estudo é comparar a dose necessária de enzima pancreática e o custo do tratamento de reposição enzimática em pacientes pancreatectomizados, com e sem pancreatite crônica. Métodos - Estudo transversal observacional. No primeiro semestre de 2015 pacientes acompanhados no ambulatório de Cirurgia do Aparelho Digestivo do HC-FMUSP, submetidos a pancreatectomia há pelo menos 6 meses e em terapia de reposição enzimática foram incluídos nessa casuística. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com a presença ou ausência de pancreatite crônica prévia à cirurgia pancreática. Para este estudo, P<0,05 foi considerado como estatisticamente significante. Resultados - O custo anual do tratamento foi R$ 2150,51 ± 729,39; R$ 2118,18 ± 731,02 em pacientes sem pancreatite crônica e R$ 2217,74 ± 736,30 em pacientes com pancreatite crônica. Conclusão - Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante no custo do tratamento de reposição enzimática entre pacientes pancreatectomizados com ou sem pancreatite crônica prévia à indicação cirúrgica.

Tratamiento endoscópico en la pancreatitis crónica: seguimiento a largo plazo / Endoscopic treatment in chronic pancreatitis: long-term results in 18 patients

Background: Intraductal stones, ductal abnormalities and pancreatic pseudocysts are part of chronic pancreatitis (CP). The goal of treatment is pain relief, resolution of local complications and relapse prevention. Endoscopic therapy (ET) can be considered in those who do not respond to medical treatment. Aim: To evaluate the indication, immediate and long-term results of ET in CP patients. Patients and Methods: Review of a database of patients with CP analyzing results of ET in 18 patients aged 16 to 60 years (13 males). Demographics, etiology, endoscopic technique, indication for treatment, pain relief, relapses and complications were recorded. Results: The etiology of CP was alcohol consumption in 5, idiopathic in 11, hereditary in one and autoimmune in one case. The follow-up period was 6 months to 14 years. Seven patients had diabetes mellitus type 3c and eight had moderate to severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Pancreatic papillotomy was performed in all patients, with removal of some stones, without attempting a complete clearance of the pancreatic duct. In addition, a 7-10 French stent was placed in the main pancreatic duct in 15 patients with varying permanence (months to years). The stent was changed guided by recurrence of clinical symptoms. During the follow-up period, 10 patients remained asymptomatic and in three, pain or relapse were significantly reduced. Stenting failed in one patient for technical reasons. Two patients were operated. There were neither immediate nor late complications from ET. Conclusions: Long-lasting improvement of CP was observed in 13 of 18 patients treated with ET, without complications associated with the procedure.

Manejo endoscópico de las complicaciones de la pancreatitis / Endoscopic management of the complications of pancreatitis

Tanto la pancreatitis aguda como crónica causan diferentes complicaciones que antes del advenimiento de la terapéutica endoscópica tenían que ser tratadas con cirugía convencional. El avance de la endoscopía intervencionista nos ha permitido acceder al páncreas y tratar estas complicaciones efectivamente y con menor morbilidad para nuestros pacientes. Aproximadamente el 90% de las pancreatitis aguda son edematosas, tienen una resolución clínica temprana y sin complicaciones. Los pacientes que son admitidos con pancreatitis necrotizante están predispuestos a tener diferentes tipos de complicaciones tanto locales como sistémicas particularmente si hay falla orgánica. Por otro lado la pancreatitis crónica es un proceso inflamatorio crónico del páncreas en donde se ha establecido la fibrosis de la glándula con posible disfunción exocrina y/o endocrina. El objetivo principal de la terapéutica endoscópica en la pancreatitis crónica es aliviar la obstrucción y disminuir la presión del conducto pancreático con la intención de aliviar el dolor abdominal. En esta revisión vamos a hablar acerca de las indicaciones y técnica endoscópica para tratar las diferentes complicaciones de la pancreatitis como, drenaje de pseudoquistes, necrosectomía pancreática, manejo del síndrome de conducto desconectado y terapia endoscópica en pancreatitis crónica.

Acute and chronic pancreatitis may lead to complications that prior the recent advancement of therapeutic endoscopy had to be treated with conventional surgery. The current techniques in interventional endoscopy allow us to access the pancreas and treat some of the complications in a minimally invasive way leading to less morbidity in our patients. Approximately 90% of acute pancreatitis episodes are edematous with early resolution of clinical symptoms and rarely leading to major complications. Patients with necrotizing pancreatitis are susceptible to local and systemic complications particularly in the setting of organ failure. On the other hand chronic pancreatitis is as a chronic inflammatory process that leads to fibrosis of the gland and in occasions to exocrine and/or endocrine insufficiency. The main objective of therapeutic endoscopy in chronic pancreatitis is to relief the obstruction and decreases the pressure in the pancreatic duct with the intention to alleviate abdominal pain. In this review we will address the indications and endoscopic techniques to treat the different complications of pancreatitis such as pseudo cyst drainage, walled off necrosis debridement, disconnected duct syndrome and different options for endoscopic therapy in chronic pancreatitis.

Alterações cutâneas no Kwashiorkor: relato de caso de um homem adulto após cirurgia abdominal / Cutaneous manifestations of kwashiorkor: a case report of an adult man after abdominal surgery

Kwashiorkor é um tipo de desnutrição proteico-energética em que há deficiência dietética de proteína, embora a ingestão de calorias se mantenha adequada. As manifestações cutâneas incluem pele xerótica, com aspecto de esmalte descascado, típica coloração avermelhada a branco-acinzentada dos cabelos, o sinal da bandeira e edema mais evidente, nos membros inferiores e na face, dando aspecto de lua cheia. O presente artigo relata o caso de um paciente adulto, do sexo masculino, previamente submetido à duodenopancreatectomia para tratamento de pancreatite crônica associada ao pseudotumor em cabeça de pâncreas que evoluiu com alterações cutâneas de kwashiorkor após tuberculose pulmonar.

Kwashiorkor is a type of protein-energy malnutrition where diet protein deficit is found, in spite of appropriate caloric intake. Cutaneous manifestations include xerosis, with abnormally dry skin that has a flaking enamel paint aspect, a typical red to gray-white hair color, the "flag sign" and more evident edema in lower limbs and face, giving it a full moon appearance. This article reports a case of a male adult patient who had undergone Whipple surgery for treatment of chronic pancreatitis associated with pseudotumor of the pancreatic head that progressed to cutaneous manifestations of kwashiorkor after pulmonary tuberculosis.

Pancreatitis crónica: nuevas terapias / Chronic pancreatitis: new therapies

Chronic pancreatitis occurs by the prolonged inflammation of pancreatic tissue that induces the irreversible destruction of the organ, leading to a global pancreatic insufficiency. The most common manifestations are abdominal pain, diarrhea, malabsorption, and possibly diabetes mellitus. Chronic pancreatitis treatment includes dietary restrictions, enzymatic supplementation, vitamins, and endoscopic or surgical methods depending on the degree of ductal involvement. In addition to the known therapies, new therapies are under development and research.

La pancreatitis crónica se desarrolla por la inflamación prolongada del tejido pancreático que induce la destrucción irreversible del órgano, llevando a una insuficiencia pancreática global. Las manifestaciones más frecuentes son dolor abdominal, diarrea, malabsorción y eventualmente diabetes mellitus. El tratamiento en pancreatitis crónica incluye restricciones dietarias, suplementación enzimática, vitamínica, y métodos endoscópicos o quirúrgicos, dependiendo del grado de compromiso ductal. Además de lo descrito, están en desarrollo y experimentación nuevas terapias.

Endoscopic Therapy in Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a debilitating disease that can result in chronic abdominal pain, malnutrition, and other related complications. The main aims of treatment are to control symptoms, prevent disease progression, and correct any complications. A multidisciplinary approach involving medical, endoscopic, and surgical therapy is important. Endoscopic therapy plays a specific role in carefully selected patients as primary interventional therapy when medical measures fail or in patients who are not suitable for surgery. Endoscopic therapy is also used as a bridge to surgery or as a means to assess the potential response to pancreatic surgery. This review addresses the role of endoscopic therapy in relief of obstruction of the pancreatic duct (PD) and bile du ct, closure of PD leaks, and drainage of pseudocysts in CP. The role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus block for pain in chronic pancreatitis is also discussed.

Abordagem cirúrgica da dor no pancreatite crônica / Surgical approach to pain in chronic pancreatitis

A pancreatite crônica é caracterizada por um processo inflamatório que resulta em substituição do parênquima pancreático por tecido fibrótico e inflamatório. Dentre os sintomas, a dor é um dos mais importantes, e frequentemente constitui indicação para tratamento cirúrgico. Através de uma revisão bibliográfica, o presente texto dissertará sobre a dor na pancreatite crônica, suas causas, e algumas das principais opções de tratamento, com ênfase nas variantes do tratamento cirúrgico.

Manejo quirúrgico de la pancreatitis crónica, a propósito de un caso / Surgical management for chronic pancreatitis, apropos of a case

Se presenta el caso de un varón de 29 años, con antecedentes de pancreatitis aguda alcohólica a los 19. Cuadros de coledocolitiasis y litiasis pancreática sintomáticas, resueltas parcialmente con colangio¬pancreatografia retrógrada endoscópica (CPRE) 5 años antes. Diabetes mellitus hace 1 año. Admitido en la sala de emergencia por dolor abdominal y diagnosticado de pancreatitis crónica reagudizada. Se realizó una pancreatoyeyunostomía, con evolución favorable. En este artículo se discute el manejo quirúrgico de la pancreatitis crónica.

Hospital strain colonization by Staphylococcus epidermidis

The skin and mucous membranes of healthy subjects are colonized by strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis showing a high diversity of genomic DNA polymorphisms. Prolonged hospitalization and the use of invasive procedures promote changes in the microbiota with subsequent colonization by hospital strains. We report here a patient with prolonged hospitalization due to chronic pancreatitis who was treated with multiple antibiotics, invasive procedures and abdominal surgery. We studied the dynamics of skin colonization by S. epidermidis leading to the development of catheter-related infections and compared the genotypic profile of clinical and microbiota strains by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. During hospitalization, the normal S. epidermidis skin microbiota exhibiting a polymorphic genomic DNA profile was replaced with a hospital-acquired biofilm-producer S. epidermidis strain that subsequently caused repetitive catheter-related infections.

Update on Endoscopic Treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis

Endoscopic therapy has been increasingly recognized as the effective therapy in selected patients with chronic pancreatitis. Utility of endotherapy in various conditions occurring in chronic pancreatitis is discussed. Its efficacy, limitations, and alternatives are addressed. For the best management of these complex entities, a multidisciplinary approach involving expertise in all pancreatic specialties is essential to achieve the goal.

Surgical Treatment of Pancreatitis / 대한소화기학회지

The management of pancreatitis remained controversial over the past decades, varying from conservative medical treatment to surgical treatment. However, in recent years, treatment of severe acute pancreatitis is shifting from an early surgical debridement and necrosectomy to an aggressive intensive medical care. While the treatment is conservative in the earlier phase of the disease, surgery might be considered in the later phase. In chronic pancreatitis and in pancreatic pseudocyst, various surgical approaches are available these days. Apart from the conventional open surgery, laparoscopic procedure became popular since it is minimally invasive and effective. In addition, with the great improvements in interventional radiology and endoscopic techniques, multidisciplinary approaches including medical, interventional, and surgical management become much more important in the proper treatment of pancreatitis. In this review, pancreatitis is classified into three categories (acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic pseudocyst) for convenience, and the surgical treatment is described in each category.