Modern approaches to surgical treatment of pancreatic head pseudocysts

Various techniques for the treatment of patients with pancreatic head pseudocysts are available. This review analyzed scientific data on the feasibility and effectiveness of these methods, with the results as basis for selecting an individualized treatment approach. Data were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, and eLIBRARY.RU. The sources used were published between 2014 and 2024, with some valuable studies dating back to 2008. In selecting scientific articles, their practical relevance to the topic was considered. Notably, modern clinical practice records an increasing incidence of pancreatic pseudocysts, with approximately 1.6–4.5 cases per 100,000 population annually. Concurrently, pancreatic head pseudocysts tend to have a more severe course, often leading to complications and complicating treatment. These pseudocysts are characterized by fibrous tissue formation in the pancreatic head and cephalic pancreatitis development. The treatment of patients with pancreatic head pseudocysts is extremely challenging. Currently, minimally invasive techniques are often employed in treating patients with pancreatic head pseudocysts. However, in cases of pancreatic head pseudocysts, these methods do not always yield favorable outcomes. Complications and recurrences frequently occur, requiring repeated interventions and even open surgery. The scientific sources lack a systematic presentation of treatment approaches for this patient category, and there is no consensus on the matter. A revision of methodological strategies for this issue, based on the principles of evidence-based medicine, is required to evaluate the effectiveness of various surgical treatments for patients with pancreatic head pseudocysts. Overall, the problem of surgical treatment for pancreatic head pseudocysts is clinically relevant and warrants further investigation.