Surgical vs Endoscopic Resection of Walled Off Pancreatic Necrosis Using the Powered Endoscopic Debridement System

Patients will first undergo endoscopic ultrasound-guided cystgastrostomy using an electrocautery-enhanced lumen apposing metallic stent to gain access to the necrosum. Direct Endoscopic Necrosectomy will be performed using the EndoRotor® NecroMax 6.0 PED Catheter which has an outer diameter of 5.1 mm and is compatible with endoscopes that have a working channel of ≥6.0 mm.

Patients randomized to the surgical arm will undergo open or minimally invasive (laparoscopic) transgastric SN with the aim of creating an ample size cystgastrostomy to perform a complete debridement. In either approach, the peritoneal cavity is entered to identify the stomach through which an anterior gastrotomy is made. The retrogastric necrosum is identified either using a finder needle or ultrasound and accessed through a posterior cystgastrostomy. Transgastric SN is then manually performed, and any cyst fluid fully evacuated. The anterior gastrotomy is then closed allowing any residual necrosis or pancreatic enzyme to efflux into the stomach and enter the upper GI tract. As with endoscopy, patients with retrogastric collections are observed for a sufficient period to ensure full maturation of the necrosum.