Laparoscopic pancreatic cystgastrostomy

Background/Purpose Internal drainage of acute pancreatic pseudocysts is indicated after the first 6 weeks of pseudocyst documentation. It is also indicated for symptomatic chronic pseudocysts 6cm or more in diameter. When a pseudocyst is in close contact with the posterior wall of the stomach, it is best drained by pseudocyst gastrostomy. Methods Intragastric surgical techniques were used in 18 patients with retrogastric pseudocysts. Intragastric ports were successfully placed in all patients, and the presence of pseudocysts was confirmed by needle aspiration in 17. Results The intragastric approach was successful in 14 patients. In three cases a small abdominal would 8cm in length was needed. The reasons for such conversion included uncontrollable bleeding from the cystic wall in two cases and a cystic wall in contact with, but not adherent to, the posterior gastric wall in one. Bleeding was controlled through a gastrotomy, and cystgastrostomy was performed. The wound required for conversion was much smaller than that needed for planned open surgery. These procedures are called laparoscopy‐assisted cystgastrostomy. Good short‐ and long‐term results were obtained. One patient, in whom the cystgastrostomy was too small, developed a cyst infection and underwent reoperation. Except for this case, no recurrence was observed, and no further treatment was needed. Conclusions This experience demonstrates that cystgastrostomy with the intragastric surgical technique is a safe, less invasive procedure for effectively draining a retrogastric pseudocyst.