Pseudoaneurysm of the cystic artery after acute necrotizing pancreatitis

Abstract

A 35-year-old woman, chronic alcoholic, was admitted for an attack of acute, necrotizing pancreatitis. Antibiotics and percutaneous drainage failed to control the septic status and the pancreatic collection. Open surgery allowed a successful necrosectomy and drainage. However, a control CT scan before removal of drains showed a 1 cm diameter pseudoaneurysm of the cystic artery, not present at previous abdominal imaging. A redo laparotomy was performed followed by cholecystectomy with en bloc resection of the pseudoaneurysm and a second look of the peripancreatic area. The patient made an uneventful recovery and was discharged on postoperative day 5. Pseudoaneurysms of the cystic artery after acute necrotizing pancreatitis are very rare. Percutaneous embolization is effective in controlling the pseudoaneurysm, but requires subsequent cholecystectomy within a short delay, due to the risk of gangrene of the gallbladder requiring a further, emergency surgical treatment. Open resection of the pseudoaneurysm en bloc with cholecystectomy appears, therefore, an appropriate treatment of this rare condition.