Walled-Off Pancreatic Necrosis

Back to news list

Source: NEJM

Original: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMicm2515752?af=R&rss=currentIssue...

Published: 2026-03-25T09:00:02Z

Walled pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) is a late complication of acute pancreatitis that usually appears more than four weeks after the onset of the disease[1]. This is a serious condition that can be fatal, although it is relatively rare[1]. Necrotic tissue in the pancreas can become infected, with the amount of necrotic tissue being the strongest predictor of mortality[1]. Treatment currently focuses on early antibiotic therapy combined with limited surgery, favoring less invasive techniques such as percutaneous drainage and endoscopic procedures[1]. More recent studies are investigating advanced techniques, including video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement and endoscopic ultrasound, to be used in cases where standard endoscopic procedures are insufficient[3]. In a recent cohort study of 45 patients with large circumscribed necrosis (median 24 cm), 82% of patients were successfully treated, with a mean hospital stay of 74–85 days[3].