Abdominal paracentesis drainage (APD) attenuates acute pancreatitis-associated lung injury in patients with ascitic fluids: a retrospective study

Objectives: Recently, we have demonstrated that abdominal paracentesis drainage (APD) benefits patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). However, the therapeutic efficacy of APD against AP-associated lung injury remains unclear. Methods: Consecutive patients with fluid collections (≥100 ml) in the abdominal or pelvic cavity, who were admitted to our hospital within 48 h of the onset of AP, were included in this retrospective study. These patients were divided into two groups: APD group and non-APD groups. The prevalence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the details of mechanical ventilation and the mortality rate were first investigated. Subsequently, the clinical and laboratory parameters, lung injury severity index and infection-related parameters were also evaluated. Results: Of the 184 involved patients, 99 were in the APD group, and 85 were in the non-APD group. The mortality rate was significantly lower in the APD group (5.0%) than in the non-APD group (14.1%; P<0.05). But no significant differences were found in the prevalence of ARDS between the two groups (P>0.05). Importantly, APD group showed an obvious decrease in lung injury severity and the recovery time compared with the non-APD group (P<0.05). Additionally, the APD group displayed a lower incidence of pulmonary infection compared with the nonAPD group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Treatment with APD benefits patients with lung injury in the early stage of AP.