Benefits and risks

Information for the public

When NICE looked at the evidence, it decided that there was enough evidence to know how well this procedure works and how safe it is. The 9 studies that NICE looked at involved a total of 940 patients.

Generally, they showed that around 90% of patients were free from symptoms after the procedure.

The studies showed that the risks of endoscopic transluminal pancreatic necrosectomy included:

bubbles of air or carbon dioxide trapped in blood vessels (an embolism); 1 patient died as a result
bleeding after the procedure in around 10% of patients, needing further treatment
perforation (a hole) in an organ, caused unintentionally during the procedure, in around 5% of patients
organ failure in 2 patients
air in the abdominal cavity, sometimes needing treatment using a hollow needle to release the air, in 5% of patients
new-onset diabetes in 2 patients, diagnosed around 6 months after the procedure.

NICE was also told about some other possible risks, including side effects from sedation and the stent moving out of place.

If you want to know more about the studies, see the guidance. Ask your health professional to explain anything you don't understand.