Neostigmine Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis Combined With Intra-abdominal Hypertension

Acute pancreatitis(AP) runs a severe course in around 20% of patients and is associated with a mortality up to 30%. Intra-abdominal hypertension(IAH）is a common complication of severe acute pancreatitis(SAP). The inflammation of the pancreas starts a cascade of pancreatic and visceral edema, acute peripancreatic fluid collections, capillary leakage causing ascites, paralytic ileus, and gastric dilatation by upper gastrointestinal tract obstruction leading to an elevated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). A sustained or repeated pathological elevation in IAP ≥12 mmHg is defined as IAH, it generally occurs often within the first week after onset of SAP. Persistent and serious IAH (IAP >20 mmHg ) often leads to new onset organ failure or acute worsening of existing organ failure, which is defined as ACS and associated with a mortality rate of 49%.

In the past practice, many patients with ACS undergo decompressive laparotomy, which obviously has a risk of complications. Therefore, numerous medical, nonmedical, and minimally invasive therapies have been introduced. Neostigmine is an anti-cholinesterase drugs, can enhance intestinal peristalsis, promote flatus defecation. World Society for Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (WSACS)guidelines,suggest that neostigmine be used for the treatment of established colonic ileus not responding to other simple measures and associated with IAH.However, no data exist on the effects of pharmacologic promotility therapy on IAP or outcomes among those with IAH/ACS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of neostigmine on reducing IAP in AP patients with IAH.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18-70 year ;
• The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis according to the revised Atlanta classification.
• IAH is defined as IAP ≥ 12 mmHg by the World Society of Abdominal;Compartment Syndrome (WSACS);
• After 24 hours of conventional treatment(such as gastrointestinal decompression or percutaneous drainage of ascites), the IAP of AP patients with IAH was still ≥ 12 mmHg;
• The onset time of acute pancreatitis was within 2 weeks;
• Signed the informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Previous history of laparotomy;
• Mechanical ileus or abdominal hemorrhage were considered clinically;
• Those who have contraindications to neostigmine: 1) Patients with angina; 2) myocardial infarction; 3) ventricular tachycardia; 4) bradycardia; 5) acute circulatory failure; 6) epilepsy; 7) bronchial asthma; 8) mechanical intestinal obstruction; 9) urinary tract infarction; 10) hyperthyroidism; 11) serious arrhythmia; 12) bladder operation; 13) intestinal fistula;
• Allergic to neostigmine;
• Pregnant or lactating patients.