The use of endoscopic surgery to help treat pancreatitis can result in reduced hospital stay and cost, according to a Des Moines Register report.
Previously, procedures used to treat the condition — which can be caused by gall stones or excessive alcohol consumption — required an incision in the belly, carrying the risk of complications, a 50 percent mortality rate and three to five month hospital stay.
With endoscopy, gastroenterologists drain the psuedocyst using an endoscope through the mouth into the esophagus. They locate where the cyst is pressing on the stomach and place stents to drain it into the stomach. Patients can go home after 23 hours, according to the report.
A second procedure, necrosectomy, removes the solid tissue. This may take five to six sessions to completely remove. Depending on the acuity of the patient, physicians typically wait two to three days before repeating the necrosectomy. Once stabilized, patients can return home between procedures.
Read the Des Moines Register report on endoscopies and pancreatitis.
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Previously, procedures used to treat the condition — which can be caused by gall stones or excessive alcohol consumption — required an incision in the belly, carrying the risk of complications, a 50 percent mortality rate and three to five month hospital stay.
With endoscopy, gastroenterologists drain the psuedocyst using an endoscope through the mouth into the esophagus. They locate where the cyst is pressing on the stomach and place stents to drain it into the stomach. Patients can go home after 23 hours, according to the report.
A second procedure, necrosectomy, removes the solid tissue. This may take five to six sessions to completely remove. Depending on the acuity of the patient, physicians typically wait two to three days before repeating the necrosectomy. Once stabilized, patients can return home between procedures.
Read the Des Moines Register report on endoscopies and pancreatitis.
Related Articles on Surgical Procedures:
More Alternatives Replace Vein Stripping for "Troublesome" Varicose Vein Removal
Researchers Discover Predictors of Significant Bleeding From Stable Pelvic Fractures
Four Simple Modifications in OR Led to More Efficient Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Procedure