Abstract
A young non - Alcoholic patient presented with acute Necrotizing pancreatitis. During the course of treatment, patient developed thrombosis in superior mesenteric and portal vein (proximal part) along-with edema in bowel loops, ascites and bilateral atelectasis in basilar region of lungs. The patient underwent 3 consecutive complex surgeries for pancreatic abscesses and obstructions due to extensive adhesions. Empirical antibiotic therapy had an important role during the course of treatment.
Keywords: Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitits; Management of NP
Abbreviations: NP: Necrotising Pancreatits; CVP: Central Venous Pressure; NPO/ TFO: Nill per oral / till further orders; I/V: Intra-Venous; PCD: Percutaneous Catheter Drainage
Introduction
Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis results in approximately 300,000
hospital admissions in the United States every year, at a cost of $2.2
billion approximately [1]. It is defined as necrosis of the pancreatic
parenchyma with or without necrosis of the peripancreatic tissues.
Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis occurs as a complication in most of
the patients with acute pancreatitis and results in high morbidity
(34%–95%) and high mortality (2%–39%) rates [2]. Gallstones
and Alcohol are the most common causes of Acute Pancreatitis
(AP). Diagnosis of Acute necrotizing pancreatitis is on the basis of
three of the following criteria:
(1) Upper abdominal pain radiating in a belt-shaped fashion;
(2) Amylase or lipase values three times above normal levels; and
(3) Radiological findings [3].
Mortality occurring within the first 2 weeks of onset is most
likely due to exaggerated systemic Inflammatory response,
associated with decrease in immunity and systemic multiorgan
failure [4].
Case Report
A 26-year-old male presented to Emergency department with
Jaundice, generalized severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and
absolute constipation with on and off fever from last 2 to 3 weeks.
On examination, there was generalized abdominal tenderness.
Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis I/V contrast (CT
Abdomen+ pelvis) showed complete necrosis of pancreatic body,
tail and part of the pancreatic head. About 60%-70% of pancreatic
head was spared. There was evidence of thrombosis in superior
mesenteric vein and proximal part of portal vein, bowel loops
had edematous walls and Lung bases showed bilateral atelectasis. There was moderate ascites with debris. In lab investigations,
serum amylase and serum lipase values were surprisingly normal.
Patient underwent laparotomy, lesser sac was approached, there
was extensive necrosis of pancreas, abscess in lesser sac and
saponification of omentum which was densely adherent to gut.
Abscess was drained out and then a drain was placed in
lesser sac, right subhepatic region and pelvis and reverse closure
was done with retention sutures. Samples of fluids, blood, urine,
wound (pus) swab and cvp tip for culture and sensitivity were
collected and sent to Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College
Histopathology department. According to reports, there was E. coli
growth in the Pus sample and CVP tip for C/S showed no bacterial
growth even after 24 hour of incubation at 37 ˚C. Post-Operative
patient was NPO/TFO, stable and I/v antibiotics continued but
after few days of surgery, he again developed pain and high-grade
fever. On CT abdomen there was phelgmon present with multiple
pancreatic pockets of collection in the peri pancreatic abdominal
and pelvic spaces and consolidation at right lower lung as well. In
Lab investigations, urine C/S showed heavy growth of klebsiella
and candida species for which multiple gram-negative spectrum
coverage antibiotics were given but it could not settle down.
As the patient was young, another laparotomy was done
through previous incision, peritoneum was approached, findings
were noted and partial adhesiolysis done with drainage of abscess
cavities and removal of necrotic slough. The drain was placed in left
and right paracolic gutters, lesser sac, pelvis and reverse closure
was done with retention sutures. After 2nd surgery, patient was
shifted to ICU. On Lab investigations, high billirubin levels were
noted upto13 mg/dl which settled down gradually after few days,
it was later justified as a post-operative inflammatory response of
pancreatic head. After a week of operation, patient again developed
high grade fever and abdominal pain. On CT abdomen, there was a
large abscess of about 10×8 cm in right side of abdomen near the
pancreatic head. In Urine C/S, klebsiella showed heavy growth and
there was Pseudomonas Aeruginosa present in pus swab. Patient
complained of fecal matter coming out of abdominal drain because
of colon erosion due to barium enema which was inserted for CT
scan with I/V contrast Abdomen + pelvis per rectum. Then again,
the patient had to undergo 3rd surgery in which adhesiolysis was
done with drainage of right para colic and right retroperitoneal
abscess.
The necrotic slough removed from lesser sac, left paracolic
gutter and pelvis. Copious peritoneal lavage was done, and
hemostasis maintained. Drains were placed in lesser sac, left
and right paracolic region. Terminal ileum brought out as loop
ileostomy in left iliac fossa. The distal part of colon was ligated and
reverse closure was done with retention sutures. After few days of
last surgery, patient was stable and discharged on oral medications.
Patient continues to gain weight and now is perfectly normal.He is
due to undergo reversal of his loop Ileostomy almost 16 months
from his surgery. He is on Lifelong Pancreatic enzyme Replacement
for Pancreatic Insufficiency however fortunately has not developed
Diabetes.
Discussion
The guidelines of the International Association of Pancreatology
(2012) recommends endoscopic or percutaneous drainage as the
first line treatment of NP, followed by surgical necrosectomy only
if required. However, the best mode of drainage is not stated [5].
Recent reported studies involve various patient populations,
definitions and techniques of infected necrosis but results are
not commensurable. Prophylaxis refers to the administration of
antibiotics in patients with no clinical infection in order to prevent
pancreatic infection. The third generation cephalosporins have an
intermediate penetration into pancreatic tissues and are effective
against gram-negative microorganisms and can sheath the minimal
inhibitory concentration (MIC) for most gram-negative organisms
present in pancreatic infections [6]. Amid these antibiotics, only
piperacillin/tazobactam is effective against gram-positive bacteria
and anaerobes. Quinolones (ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin) and
carbapenems both have good tissue penetration into the pancreas
and have good anaerobic coverage [7] even aminoglycoside
antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin and tobramycin) in intravenous dosages
failed to invade pancreatic tissue sufficient enough to conceal the
minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the bacteria that are
most commonly present in secondary pancreatic infections.
However, in our case, our patient was had organisms resistant
to quinolones, Cephlosporins, Piperacillin/Tazobactam and
beta-lactamase drugs. He was only sensitive to Carbapenems,
aminoglycosides except Tobramycin, Fosfomycin and
Chloramphenicol. whereas early trials indicated that administration
of antibiotics possibly prevent infectious complications in patients
with sterile necrosis. Recent studies have shown that prophylactic
antibiotics in patients with acute pancreatitis do not have
remarkable decrease in mortality or morbidity [8]. Hence, routine
prophylactic antibiotics for all patients with acute pancreatitis are no
longer suggested. Conventionally, the most commonly used method
to treat infected necrosis has been open surgical necrosectomy,
but in the last 1-2 decades the treatment of NP has evolved from
open surgery to minimally invasive techniques (PCD, per-oral
endoscopy, laparoscopy, and rigid retroperitoneal videoscopy)
and for that therapeutic equipments, hospital preferences and
availability of expertise of these techniques are compulsory. Imageguided
percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) may be used both as
primary and as supplementary approach to other techniques.
This approach can be transperitoneal or retroperitoneal.
Probably, the latter one is preferred as it avoids peritoneal contamination and enteric leaks. But sometimes the results are
beyond expectations and enteric leaks still occur [8]. However,
in current scenario, a different method was taken into account
by draining abscesses from lesser sac, retroperitoneal sac, left
and right paracolic gutter as the patient had thrombosis in portal
vein and saponification of omentum. Other revelation was that
fecal matter started coming out of abdominal drain. For that, loop
ileostomy was done successfully.
Conclusion
The interventions should be chosen in the manner of a triad of optimal intensive care, operative, and medical management. To assess the disease severity and proper selection of treatment strategy, the role of laboratory diagnosis and imaging techniques cannot be ignored. Therefore, further studies should be conducted to highlight this aspect.
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