Nonsurgical management of pancreaticopleural fistula.

CONTEXT: Pancreaticopleural fistula is seen in acute and chronic pancreatitis or after traumatic or surgical disruption of the pancreatic duct. Surgery leads to healing in 80-90% of cases but carries a mortality of up to 10%. AIM: Our aim was to assess the management of pancreaticopleural fistula on a specialist pancreatic Unit.
METHODS: Patients presenting with pancreaticopleural fistulae were identified from acute and chronic pancreatitis databases. Management and outcome were compared with previous studies identified in MEDLINE and EMBASE.
RESULTS: Four patients presented with dyspnoea from large unilateral pleural effusions. Three had a history of alcohol abuse and one of asymptomatic gallstones. All were treated with chest drainage, octreotide and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography plus/minus pancreatic stent. Two had a pancreatic stent in situ for 5 and 8.5 months respectively. In the third sphincterotomy was performed; in the fourth the pancreatic duct could not be cannulated. The fistula healed in all cases, with no recurrence after 12-30 months, and no deaths. There are 14 reports including 16 cases treated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography plus/minus pancreatic stent in the literature, with no recurrence after follow up ranging 4-30 months and no deaths in these 16 cases.
CONCLUSIONS: A high index of suspicion is necessary to be aware of its presence. These data suggest that endoscopic management is preferable alternative to surgery for pancreaticopleural fistula.