Endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts

Pancreatic pseudocysts (PPs) are a common complication of chronic as well as acute pancreatitis that is unrelated to the underlying etiology. Advances in radiological techniques have in part led to an increase in the diagnosis of pseudocyst and better characterization of associated complications. The introduction of new treatment modalities has also increased the options for non-surgical management. Thus, with better knowledge of the disease and with technical advances, the indications, timing and methods to treat PPs have undergone a marked evolutionary change. We describe two cases (the first cases described in Greek literature) with acute giant PPs, treated with successful endoscopic transmural drainage. This article describes also our preferable, standard approach to the technique.