About this trial
Pancreatic necrosis complicates approximately 20-30% of severe acute pancreatitis cases. While many collections resolve without intervention, persistent symptomatic collections-particularly when infected-are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and frequently require procedural management. Current guidelines recommend delaying intervention until collections are fully walled off, typically around four weeks. However, in clinical practice, many patients deteriorate before this window is reached.
Prospective data from our institution, supported by recent meta-analyses, suggest that early intervention using modern endoscopic techniques can be performed safely, even when undertaken within the first four weeks of disease onset. We believe that, in appropriately selected patients, early endoscopic intervention may prevent clinical deterioration, reduce complications, shorten hospital stay, and decrease overall healthcare utilization compared with a delayed approach.
To formally evaluate this strategy, an international, multicenter randomized trial is being conducted, entitled Strategic Timing of Endoscopic Procedural Interventions in Infected Necrotizing Pancreatitis (STEP-IN Trial).
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Age ≥ 18 years
Patients with symptomatic necrotic collection diagnosed on MRI or CT abdomen/pelvis, defined as fluid collection in the setting of documented pancreatic necrosis that contains necrotic material and encased within a partial or complete wall.
Temperature >100.4 °F or <96.8 °F
Heart rate > 90 beats/min
Disqualifiers
Age < 18 years
> 26 days after the onset of acute pancreatitis
Indication for emergency laparotomy for abdominal catastrophe (e.g. bleeding, bowel perforation, abdominal compartment syndrome).
Necrotic collection is not amenable for endoscopic intervention.
Trial design
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
EUS-guided transluminal drainage of necrotic collection
Procedure/SurgeryEUS-guided drainage of the necrotic collection is performed by placement of a metal stent within the dominant collection.
Treatment groups
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
Composite of major complications or death
Proportion of patients experiencing a major complication or death. Major complications comprise new onset organ failure, new onset systemic dysfunction, enteral or pancreatic-cutaneous fistula, intraabdominal bleeding, or visceral perforation.
Secondary outcomes
Mortality
Proportion of patients with mortality from any cause
Major complications
Proportion of patients experiencing major complications. Major complications comprise new onset organ failure (respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, hepatic, hematologic, neurologic, or metabolic failure), new onset systemic dysfunction, enteral or pancreatic-cutaneous fistula, intraabdominal bleeding, or visceral perforation
New onset single and multiple organ failure
Proportion of patients with new onset failure of at least one organ system
New onset systemic dysfunction
Proportion of patients with worsening of any pre-existing medical condition
Sponsors and contacts
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