Transurethral endoscopic retrograde pancreatography: a novel endoscopic technique to treat complications after pancreas transplantation

In patients with transplanted pancreas, early technical failure accounts for more than half of graft losses during the initial posttransplant period – a complication that necessitates graft pancreatectomy [1]. Failure rates for pancreas recipients in the United States approximate 5 %, with reoperative rates between 12 % and 43 % [2] [3]. Graft thrombosis is the leading cause of technical failure, followed by anastomotic leak, infection, pancreatitis, and bleeding. The etiology of transplant pancreas leak may be a failure of healing/sealing of a pancreaticoenteric anastomosis, or a parenchymal disruption originating from the pancreatic ductal system [4]. Initial management of postoperative leaks involves percutaneous drainage. If clinical deterioration occurs, relaparotomy is mandatory [5]. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) offers pancreatic sphincterotomy and placement of pancreatic ductal stents, which are effective in treating pancreatic leaks. The postsurgical anatomy and its anastomosis with the bladder makes conventional endoscopic access impossible.

Our patient was a 34-year-old man who had received pancreatic and renal transplants for type 1 diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease. The pancreas was transplanted using a bladder drainage approach. On postoperative day 7 the patient complained of right lower quadrant abdominal pain and developed fever and leukocytosis. Computer tomography (CT) showed new-onset ascites, and peritoneal fluid analysis revealed significantly elevated amylase and lipase levels, but CT cystogram did not reveal any microperforaton or staple line leak.

Initial placement of wire in the bladder was performed by a urologist using a standard cystoscope. Urethral dilation was then performed using a biliary balloon dilator over the wire ([Video 1]). Under fluoroscopy, balloon dilation was performed, with incremental increase of the balloon size up to a size equivalent to the endoscope used; in this case up to 10 mm. Then, the balloon was used to slide and advance the endoscope. The endoscope was advanced in the bladder and a duodenovesical anastomosis, also known as pancreaticoduodenocystostomy, was identified ([Fig. 1]). The donor duodenum was intubated and the major papilla located on the opposite wall from the anastomosis. The remainder of the procedure resembled ERP, with cannulation, sphincterotomy, and placement of a plastic stent for drainage of pancreatic exocrine secretions within the duodenum and bladder. At 6-month follow-up the patient is asymptomatic without any weight loss.

Video 1 Transurethral endoscopic retrograde pancreatography to treat complications after pancreatic transplantation.

Fig. 1 Endoscopic identification of a duodenovesical anastomosis, also known as pancreaticoduodenocystostomy, in a 34-year-old man with right lower quadrant abdominal pain, fever, and leukocytosis 7 days after receiving pancreatic and renal transplants for type 1 diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease.

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Publication History

Article published online:
27 September 2021

• References

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