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Table 1 Definitions of complications

From: Early surgery versus optimal current step-up practice for chronic pancreatitis (ESCAPE): design and rationale of a randomized trial

Complications

Definition

Pseudocysts

Fluid-filled collection in the pancreas without epithelial cover proven by CT.

Duodenum obstruction

Clinical symptoms suggestive of duodenal obstruction (retention, nausea, vomiting) and imaging evidence of duodenum obstruction by the pancreas.

Chronic use of opioids

Daily need for strong opioids for a period > 6 months.

(Acute) pancreatitis flare-up

Episode of upper abdominal pain requiring hospitalization with either increased amylase (>3 normal level) or typical upper abdominal pain recognized by patient from previous episodes.

Cholangitis

1) Body temperature > 38.5°C and 2) Bilirubin > 20 μmol/L and/ or common bile duct of > 8 mm for age ≤ 75 years or > 10 mm for age > 75 years on abdominal ultrasound or CT.

Acute cholecystitis

1) Local signs of inflammation (Murphy’s sign, right upper quadrant mass/pain/tenderness), 2) Systemic signs of inflammation (Fever, elevated CRP, elevated WBC) and 3) Gallstones on abdominal ultrasound.

Perforation

Retroperitoneal or bowel-wall perforation documented by any radiographic technique.

Anastomotic leakage: Pancreaticojejunostomy

High amylase level (>3 times serum amylase) in the abdominal drain fluid, or pancreatic leakage proven by imaging or at relaparotomy, often but not necessarily in combination with one or more clinical signs (abdominal pain, peritoneal tenderness, temperature above 38.5°C or WBC above 15 X 109/l).

Anastomotic leakage: biliary leakage

Bilirubin in abdominal drain or dehiscence found at laparotomy, often but not necessarily in combination with one or more clinical signs (abdominal pain, peritoneal tenderness, temperature above 38.5°C or WBC above 15 x 109/l).

Bleeding/ Hemorrhage

Any bleeding leading to relaparotomy or intervention.

Sepsis

Presence of two or more of the following: fever or hypothermia, leucocytosis or leucopenia, tachycardia, and tachypnea or a supernormal minute ventilation.

Intra-abdominal abscesses

Intra-abdominal fluid collection with positive cultures identified by ultrasonography or CT, associated with persistent fever and elevations of white blood cells.

Burst abdomen

Post-operative separation of the abdominal musculo-aponeurotic layers with protruding viscera.

Pneumonia

Combination of clinical signs (coughing, dyspnoea), with infiltrative abnormalities on chest X-ray, raised inflammatory parameters (WBC and CRP) and/or positive culture in sputum. In intubated patient a positive endotracheal culture is mandatory.

Severe wound infection

Infection occurring within 30 days after the operative procedure, and requiring hospitalization or intervention with subsequent prolonged hospital stay (otherwise considered as minor complication).

Severe delayed gastric emptying

Persistent need for nasogastric intubation of over 10 days or inability to tolerate solid diet on or after the 14th postoperative day.

  1. CT: computed tomography. WBC: white blood cell count. CRP: C-reactive protein.