Outi Lindström

Bio: Outi Lindström is an academic researcher from University of Helsinki. The author has contributed to research in topics: Pancreatitis & Acute pancreatitis. The author has an hindex of 15, co-authored 41 publications receiving 625 citations. Previous affiliations of Outi Lindström include Helsinki University Central Hospital.

Randomized multicenter study of multiple plastic stents vs. covered self-expandable metallic stent in the treatment of biliary stricture in chronic pancreatitis.

Abstract: Background and study aims: The use of covered self-expandable metallic stents (cSEMS) in benign biliary indications is evolving. The aim of the study was to assess the safety and feasibility of cSEMS compared with multiple plastic stents in the treatment of benign biliary stricture (BBS) caused by chronic pancreatitis. Patients and methods: This was a prospective, multicenter, randomized study of 60 patients with BBS caused by chronic pancreatitis. All patients received an initial plastic stent before randomization. At randomization, the stent was replaced either with a single cSEMS or three plastic stents. After 3 months, the position of the cSEMS was checked or another three plastic stents were added. At 6 months after randomization, all stents were removed. Clinical follow-up including abdominal ultrasound and laboratory tests were performed at 6 months and 2 years after stent removal. Results: Two patients dropped out of the cSEMS group before stent removal. In April 2014, the median follow-up was 40 months (range 1 – 66 months). The 2-year, stricture-free success rate was 90 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 72 % – 97 %) in the plastic stent group and 92 % (95 %CI 70 % – 98 %) in the cSEMS group (P = 0.405). There was one late recurrence in the plastic stent group 50 months after stent removal. Stent migration occurred three times (10 %) in the plastic stent group and twice in the cSEMS group (7 %; P = 1.000). Conclusion: A 6-month treatment with either six 10-Fr plastic stents or with one 10-mm cSEMS produced good long-term relief of biliary stricture caused by chronic pancreatitis. Study registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01085747).

Treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome with subcutaneous anterior abdominal fasciotomy in severe acute pancreatitis.

Abstract: Managing the abdominal compartment syndrome associated with severe acute pancreatitis by the open abdomen method is associated with considerable morbidity and resource utilization. A technique of subcutaneous anterior abdominal fasciotomy is described for the first time in two patients with severe acute pancreatitis. Following the procedure, the intra-abdominal pressure decreased from 30 mmHg immediately to 23 mmHg and to a sustained level of 12–14 mmHg in the first patient, and from 35 mmHg immediately to 23 mmHg and to a sustained level of 14–19 mmHg in the second patient. The subcutaneous anterior abdominal fasciotomy is a promising method for safe and effective abdominal decompression with sustained effect and avoiding the morbidity associated with the alternative open abdomen techniques.

Risk factors for complications of ERCP in primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Abstract: Background and study aims: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiographic pancreatography (ERCP) is the most accurate technique for surveillance of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Our aim was to evaluate risk factors for complications of ERCP in patients with PSC. Patients and methods: In 2007 – 2009 we performed 441 ERCPs in patients with PSC. The primary tools for ERCP were a guide wire and papillotomy knife to gain access into the biliary duct. If the primary cannulation failed, and the wire went only into the pancreatic duct, pancreatic sphincterotomy was performed. If necessary, a further oblique cut with a needle knife was done in order to expose the biliary duct. Results: Primary cannulation was successful in 389 patients (88.2 %). Of these, 147 (37.8 %) had had biliary sphincterotomy performed previously. In the group with failed primary cannulation, access into the biliary duct was achieved after pancreatic sphincterotomy in 52 patients. In 11 of these, a further cut with a needle knife was performed. Post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) was diagnosed in 31 patients (7.0 %). Factors predicting PEP were female sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.6, P = 0.015) and a guide wire in the pancreatic duct (OR 8.2, P Conclusions: In patients with PSC the incidence of ERCP complications remained relatively low. The complication risk increased with the complexity of cannulation. In a patient with PSC in whom follow-up ERCP is planned, biliary sphincterotomy should be considered, as it may protect against PEP.

Upregulated but insufficient generation of activated protein C is associated with development of multiorgan failure in severe acute pancreatitis

Abstract: Disturbed protein C (PC) pathway homeostasis might contribute to the development of multiple organ failure (MOF) in acute pancreatitis (AP). We therefore evaluated circulating levels of PC and activated protein C (APC), evaluated monocyte deactivation in AP patients, and determined the relationship of these parameters to MOF. Thirty-one patients in the intensive care unit were categorized as cases (n = 13, severe AP with MOF) or controls (n = 18, severe AP without MOF). Blood samples were drawn every second day to determine the platelet count, the levels of APC, PC, and D-dimer, and the monocyte HLA-DR expression using flow cytometry. The APC/PC ratio was used to evaluate turnover of PC to APC. During the initial two weeks of hospitalization, low PC levels (<70% of the adult mean) occurred in 92% of cases and 44% of controls (P = 0.008). The minimum APC level was lower in cases than in controls (median 85% versus 97%, P = 0.009). Using 87% as the cut-off value, 8/13 (62%) cases and 3/18 (17%) controls showed reduced APC levels (P = 0.021). A total of 92% of cases and 50% of controls had APC/PC ratios exceeding the upper normal limit (P = 0.013). Plasma samples drawn before MOF showed low PC levels and high APC/PC ratios. HLA-DR-positive monocytes correlated with PC levels (r = 0.38, P < 0.001) and APC levels (r = 0.27, P < 0.001), indicating that the PC pathway was associated with systemic inflammation-triggered immune suppression. PC deficiency and decreased APC generation in severe AP probably contributed to a compromised anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory defence. The PC pathway defects were associated with the development of MOF. The data support feasibility of testing the use of APC or PC to improve the clinical outcome in AP.

Endoscopic biliary stenting: indications, choice of stents, and results: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Clinical Guideline - Updated October 2017.

Abstract: ESGE recommends against routine preoperative biliary drainage in patients with malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction; preoperative biliary drainage should be reserved for patients with cholangitis, severe symptomatic jaundice (e. g., intense pruritus), or delayed surgery, or for before neoadjuvant chemotherapy in jaundiced patients. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. ESGE recommends the endoscopic placement of a 10-mm diameter self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) for preoperative biliary drainage of malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. ESGE recommends SEMS insertion for palliative drainage of of extrahepatic malignant biliary obstruction. Strong recommendation, high quality evidence. ESGE recommends against the insertion of uncovered SEMS for the drainage of extrahepatic biliary obstruction of unconfirmed etiology. Strong recommendation, low quality evidence. ESGE suggests against routine preoperative biliary drainage in patients with malignant hilar obstruction. Weak recommendation, low quality evidence. ESGE recommends uncovered SEMSs for palliative drainage of malignant hilar obstruction. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. ESGE recommends temporary insertion of multiple plastic stents or of a fully covered SEMS for treatment of benign biliary strictures. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. ESGE recommends endoscopic placement of plastic stent(s) to treat bile duct leaks that are not due to transection of the common bile duct or common hepatic duct. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.