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Treatment of pancreatic cyst
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 19.10.2021
Treatment of the pancreatic cyst is mainly surgical (operative) or "semi-surgical" - by suctioning the contents of the cyst (usually this method is used for single large cysts) with a special puncture needle administered under the supervision of ultrasound through the anterior abdominal wall. However, in spite of the fact that "puncture is an easily executable and safe procedure," it does not always bring healing; the contents of the cyst can re-accumulate. With suppuration of the cyst (primarily this complication is possible with pseudocysts after pancreatonecrosis or trauma), antibiotics of a wide spectrum of action are administered in large doses and the question of the necessity, urgency and the possibility of performing operative treatment is decided. Overall mortality in pancreatic pseudocysts (which arose as a complication of acute pancreatitis) - 14%, surgical - 11%, with the occurrence of such severe complications as sepsis, massive bleeding, perforation in the abdominal cavity - 50%; with the formation of an abscess, if surgical drainage is not used, 100%, in the surgical treatment the survival rate is 40-60%.
To date, surgical techniques in the treatment of pseudocysts (and true cysts) of the pancreas have been significantly improved, more powerful modern antibiotics have been used to treat septic complications and abscesses; Moreover, it is necessary to take into account specific data concerning each patient: concomitant diseases, age, number of cysts, their location, etc. Currently, the results of pseudocyst treatment seem more optimistic.
In cysts and pseudocysts of the pancreas, it is possible to develop external and intrasecretory pancreatic insufficiency, the treatment of which is carried out according to the same principles as in chronic pancreatitis.