The two-port laparoscopic retroperitoneal approach for minimal access pancreatic necrosectomy

Introduction Despite advances in surgery and critical care, severe pancreatitis continues to be associated with a high rate of mortality, which is increased significantly in the presence of infected pancreatic necrosis. Controversy persists around the optimal treatment for such cases, with specialist units variously advocating open necrosectomy, simple percutaneous drainage or one of several minimal access approaches. We describe our technique and outcomes with a two-port laparoscopic retroperitoneal necrosectomy (2P-LRN). Methods Thirteen consecutive patients with proven infected pancreatic necrosis were treated by 2P-LRN over a three-year period in the setting of a specialist hepatopancreatobiliary unit. The median patient age was 46 years (range: 28–87 years) and 10 of the patients were male. Results The median number of procedures required to clear the necrosis was 2 (range: 1–5), with a median time to discharge following the procedure of 44 days (range: 10–135 days). There was no 90-day mortality and...