Pancreatic tail pseudocyst of type II treated with resection of the tail of the pancreas and splenectomy

Abstract

Introduction. Pancreatic pseudocysts of type II are postnecrotic cysts that appear during an acute-on-chronic pancreatitis. In case that surgical treatment is necessary, as a rule it is performed using internal drainage operations. Pancreatic resections are rarely indicated. Case Outline. The authors present a 34 year-old man with a long-lasting history of moderate alcohol consumption in whom an episode of drinking caused an acute-on-chronic pancreatitis so that a 7 cm in diameter cyst was developed inside the tail of the pancreas causing left subcostal pain, mild pleural effusion and pain in the left shoulder. At operation almost entirely inside the tail of the pancreas a cyst of type II unsuitable for internal drainage operation was found so that a spared resection of the tail of the pancreas and splenectomy were carried out. The post-operative recovery was prolonged due to recurrent left pleural effusion requiring punctions, mild suppurative secretion from the splenic fossa and transient postsplenectomy thrombocytosis. Six months after surgery the patient is in good condition and with normal findings. Conclusion. Although rare, pancreatic cysts of type II may be unsuitable for internal drainage operations so that resection of the effected part of the pancreas could be a much better solution than external drainage.

Keywords

• acute pancreatitis
• cyst of type II
• pancreatic resection