Percutaneous puncture and drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts. A retrospective study.

Experience with 19 consecutive patients who had 20 pancreatic pseudocysts treated by percutaneous puncture and/or drainage was reviewed. Ten pseudocysts (5 infected, 5 non-infected), underwent complete resolution after percutaneous treatment only and there was a considerable regression in 6 (5 infected, 1 non-infected), which means an overall cure rate of 80 per cent. Only one small pseudocyst remained unchanged. Complementary surgery was necessary in 3 cases. Fine needle evacuation was the method in 13 cases (11 cured) and catheter drainage in 7 (5 cured). We conclude that percutaneous drainage is a safe method for the treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts, that will cure the patient in most cases.