The use of ultrasound during surgery for complications of pancreatitis

Ultrasound imaging is a useful diagnostic procedure during operations for complications of pancreatitis. The most common of such procedures are for drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts, abscesses, and obstructed pancreatic ducts. Operative ultrasound proved to be helpful in 71.7% of these operations. In addition to diagnosing and better defining abnormalities for drainage, operative ultrasound is able to detect previously unsuspected associated pathological conditions such as a second pseudoeyst. Knowledge of such associated lesions may permit their management at the primary operation.