Pancreonecrosis

Pancreonecrosis is a pathology in which inflammatory-necrotic processes occur in the pancreas. This is a dangerous complication of pancreatitis, which is characterized by self-digestion of the pancreas. According to statistics, in acute pancreatitis, this complication develops in about 25% of cases. If pancreatic necrosis occurs, urgent medical attention is needed. If the condition is not diagnosed and an effective treatment is not selected, the likelihood of a fatal outcome is high.

Causes of pancreonecrosis

The immediate cause of pancreatic necrosis is a violation of the outflow of pancreatic juices, as a result of which they begin to destroy their own pancreatic tissues. Factors that lead to this include the following:

• alcohol abuse;
• unhealthy diet (too fatty and spicy food, an excess of simple carbohydrates on the menu);
• kidney stones;
• pancreas injury;
• poisoning;
• some diseases of the digestive system;
• autoimmune processes;
• a number of infectious diseases;
• some medicines;
• congenital malformation of the pancreas.

What is the difference between pancreatitis and pancreatic necrosis?

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, while pancreatic necrosis occurs as a complication of pancreatitis. Doctors talk about pancreatic necrosis when necrotic processes take place, that is, the destruction and death of gland tissues occurs, destructive processes capture the surrounding tissues.

Types of pancreonecrosis

There are several types of the disease:

• Fatty pancreatic necrosis. With this type of disease, the pancreas produces an excess of the enzyme lipase, which breaks down the fat cells of this organ, and then breaks down the fatty tissues of the omentum and internal organs.
• Hemorrhagic pancreatic necrosis. It develops with an excess of elastase. This enzyme destroys the walls of blood vessels located in the gland. This provokes a violation of blood flow, increases the risk of thrombosis, becomes the cause of necrotic processes. First, the vessels of the pancreas are affected. In the later stages of pancreatic necrosis, the vessels of nearby abdominal organs may also suffer.
• Mixed pancreonecrosis. With this variety, pancreatic necrosis occurs under the influence of both enzymes.

In the presence of pathogenic microorganisms, infected pancreatic necrosis develops in the affected area. Doctors also distinguish limited, extended and total pancreatic necrosis.

Pancreonecrosis symptoms

With this disease, the symptoms appear abruptly and are very severe. The most common include:

• severe girdle pain, which can also radiate to the left shoulder and lower back;
• nausea, severe vomiting that does not stop (there are bile and blood clots in the vomit);
• an increase in body temperature up to 39 degrees;
• severe flatulence;
• lack of defecation;
• strong thirst;
• cardiopalmus;
• agitated state, confusion.

As the disease progresses, the pancreas greatly increases in size and begins to bulge, which is visible even to the naked eye. Complications of pancreatic necrosis may develop, such as: nephritis, hepatitis, peritonitis, bleeding and abscesses in the abdominal cavity.

Diagnostic methods for pancreatic necrosis

In order to accurately diagnose the condition of the pancreas, doctors prescribe the following examinations:

• sonography of the abdominal cavity;
• abdominal radiography;
• cholangiopancreatography;
• MRI of the abdominal cavity;
• laboratory tests (determination of the level of pancreatic enzymes in the blood and urine).

Sometimes experts recommend diagnostic laparoscopy. In this case, the doctor inserts a video camera through a small incision in the abdominal cavity, which helps to see the features of the pancreas.

Pancreonecrosis treatment

For the treatment of pancreatic necrosis, doctors usually use a set of measures: conservative treatment and surgery. To eliminate pain, painkillers can be prescribed, novocaine blockades can be made. Specialists usually carry out detoxification therapy, use drugs that reduce autoimmune reactions, and prescribe antibiotic therapy. Also an important element of treatment is diet therapy, which involves a strict exclusion from the menu of alcohol, fatty, fried, spicy foods and the use of vegetable broths, mucous soups, pureed cereals.

Surgeons usually perform surgical intervention for pancreatic necrosis a few days after intensive drug therapy, when the patient’s condition stabilizes. During the operation, the surgeon removes dead gland tissue and restores the outflow of pancreatic juice. Complications of pancreatic necrosis also often require surgical treatment.

Today it is possible to use minimally invasive surgical techniques that significantly reduce the likelihood of postoperative complications and reduce the risk of death. However, this kind of surgery is done only in some clinics that use the most advanced techniques.

Medical coordinators of MedTour will help you find a clinic that uses minimally invasive surgical methods for the treatment of pancreatic necrosis.

The newest methods of treatment of pancreonecrosis

The complexity and danger of the disease requires doctors to constantly search for new, more effective methods of treatment. One of the most promising methods is stem cell therapy. The use of stem cells has proven itself for the treatment of both acute and chronic pancreatitis, as well as the development of necrotic processes in the body. For therapy, mesenchymal stem cells of the patient are used. The sources of these cells can be bone marrow, umbilical cord blood or adipose tissue. After receiving the cells in the laboratory, they are grown to the desired number. Then the resulting drug is administered intravenously. Such treatment has an anti-inflammatory and regenerative effect on pancreatic tissue, and improves the general well-being of the patient.

In Ukraine, for the treatment of pancreatic necrosis, the Institute of Cell Therapy has developed a technique that uses both cord tissue and stem cells. After the operation, cord tissue (umbilical cord) was implanted in the area of necrosis. After that, the patient received a small amount of stem cell preparation intravenously for 5-7 days. Clinical trials have shown that this significantly accelerated the regeneration processes and led to a decrease in the stay of patients in clinics.

At the moment, the use of cell therapy is an experimental method that is still being tested. But even today it can be argued that it has very good prospects, and some clinics already offer this type of treatment.

Best pancreatic necrosis treatment clinics

Pancreonecrosis is a complex and dangerous disease, so it is better to treat it in clinics that specialize in such pathologies and have proven themselves well. On the MedTour platform, you can find the best clinics for the treatment of pancreatic diseases in different countries of the world. We also cooperate with clinics that use stem cell therapy for various diseases and will advise you on this issue.

Contact us via the contact form to find out more information!

Our best medical specialists

The MedTour platform will help you find a good specialist who treats pancreatic diseases of any complexity and uses the most advanced and effective methods. If you are interested in the application of cell therapy, you can also find doctors working in this field on our website. You have the opportunity to ask all your questions on this topic to specialists in the format of remote communication. You can book an online consultation with doctors:

• Andriy Kovalchuk, PhD, Associate Professor, Surgeon, Director of Stem Cell Bank LLC “Genome”. The doctor deals with stem cell treatment of various diseases.
• Ivan Badyin, PhD, has 20 years of experience in the field of regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy.

How long can a person live after pancreonecrosis?

With the diagnosis of pancreatic necrosis, the prognosis varies markedly depending on the degree of involvement of the pancreas, the severity of the course of the disease, and the characteristics of the patient’s health status. So, for example, the prognosis noticeably worsens if the patient is over 50 years old, if the blood sugar level is elevated or if the level of urea and AST is high.

This is a very dangerous condition in which the risk of death is high. However, with timely treatment and the use of modern methods of therapy, there is a chance to take the state of health under control.

Medical coordinators of MedTour will help you find a clinic and a doctor who will provide you with the necessary medical care at the highest level. Send us a request for a free consultation to find out more!