Various scoring systems showed similar predictive accuracy for severity of AP. Unique models are needed in order to achieve further improvement of prognostic accuracy.

Age, CRP (48 h), and alcohol etiology are risk factors for pancreatic fluid collections. LDH (48 h) appears to be a risk factor for pseudocyst formation. Most pseudocysts showed a decrease in size or spontaneous resolution with conservative management.

BackgroundEndoscopic papillectomy (EP) is reported to be a relatively safe and reliable procedure for complete resection of ampullary neoplasms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes and complications of EP for ampullary neoplasms.MethodsA retrospective multicenter study was conducted with 5 participating centers from January 2007 to July 2014. A total of 104 patients who underwent EP for ampullary neoplasms were reviewed retrospectively. EP was performed by snare resection with or without submucosal lifting of the lesion.ResultsThe mean age of patients was 60.5 ± 12.1 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 2.0:1. En bloc resection was possible in 94 patients (90.3%). A biliary and a pancreatic stent were placed after EP in 42 patients and in 60 patients, respectively. A pathologically incomplete resection was noted in 11 cases (10.6%), and 5 of these patients were treated with additional endoscopic procedure. Histology of resected specimens was as follows: low grade adenoma (43.2%), high grade adenoma (14.4%), adenocarcinoma (16.3%), hyperplastic polyp (7.7%), and others (18.4%). Of the 75 cases with low grade adenoma on biopsy specimen, 21.3% turned out to have high grade adenoma (12%) or adenocarcinoma (9.3%). Procedure-related complications occurred in 33 patients (31.7%); bleeding (18 cases, 17.3%), pancreatitis (16 cases, 15.4%), and perforation (8 cases, 7.7%). Pre-EP ERCP, saline lifting, sphincterotomy, biliary stenting, pancreatic stenting, specimen size, and cauterization were not related to post EP complications. Surgery was performed in 6 cases with pathological incomplete resection and 2 cases with complications after EP, and there were 2 cases of mortality due to complications. During follow-up endoscopy after initial success of EP, remnant tumors were found in 7 patients, one of whom underwent surgery and the others were treated endoscopically. Consequently, the overall endoscopic success rate of EP was 89.4%.ConclusionsEndoscopic papillectomy appears to be an effective treatment for ampullary neoplasms, and can be considered as an alternative to surgery. However, relatively high risk of procedure related complications is a problem that must be considered.

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Background/AimsBile leakage is an uncommon but serious complication of cholecystectomy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the endoscopic management of bile leakage after cholecystectomy.MethodsA total of 32 patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), because of bile leakage after cholecystectomy, from January 2000 to December 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical parameters, types of management, and procedure-related complications were documented.ResultsMost bile leakages presented as percutaneous bile drainage through a Hemovac (68.8%), followed by abdominal pain (18.8%). The sites of bile leaks were the cystic duct stump in 25 patients, intrahepatic ducts in four, liver beds in two, and the common bile duct in one. Biliary stenting with or without sphincterotomy was performed in 22 and eight patients, respectively. Of the four cases of bile leak combined with bile duct stricture, one patient had severe bile duct obstruction and the others had mild stricture. Concerning endoscopic modalities, endoscopic therapy for bile leak was successful in 30 patients (93.8%). Two patients developed transient post-ERCP pancreatitis, which was mild, and both recovered without clinical sequelae.ConclusionsThe endoscopic approach of ERCP should be considered a primary modality for the diagnosis and treatment of bile leakage after cholecystectomy.