The Indigenous Young Man with Progressive Abdominal Distension
Abstract
The incidence of pancreatic ascites is unusual. It is uncommon sequelae of chronic pancreatitis. Smith first discovered it in 1953 in the literature. The etiology includes chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst, pancreatic trauma and idiopathic in origin. Despite a rise in the incidence, it is scarcely reported. This is a case of a 20-year-old man presented with repeated acute pancreatitis episode complicated with gross ascites. Pancreatic duct stones were identified intra-operatively. Frey’s surgery was the procedure of choice. We discuss the presentation, choice of treatment and outcome.References
Gomez-Cerezo J, Barbado Cano A, Suárez I, Soto A, Ríos JJ, Vázquez JJ. Pancreatic ascites: study of therapeutic options by analysis of case reports and case series between the years 1975 and 2000. The American Journal of Gastroenterology 2003;98:568-77.
Smith EB. Haemorrhagic ascites and haemothorax associated with benign pancreatic disease. Arch Surg 1953;67:52-6.
Munshi IA, Haworth R, Barie PS. Resolution of refractory pancreatic ascites after continouos infusion of octreotide acetate. Int J Pancreatol 1995;17:203-6.
Parekh D, Segal I. Pancreatic ascites and effusion. Risk factors for failure of conservative therapy and the role of octreotide. Arch Surg 1992;127:707-12.
Da Cunha JE, Machado M, Bacchela T, et al. Surgical treatment of pancreatic ascites and pancreatic pleural effusions. Hepatogastroenterology 1995; 42: 748-51.
Pappas SG, Pilgrim CHC, Keim R, et al. The Frey Procedure for Chronic Pancreatitis Secondary to Pancreas Divisum. JAMA Surg 2013;148:1057–62.