title: Long-term outcome of endoscopic stent placement for chronic pancreatitis associated with pancreas divisum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In pancreas divisum (PD), endoscopic drainage of the minor papilla is beneficial for patients presenting with acute recurrent pancreatitis, but in cases of chronic pancreatitis, surgery is claimed to be indicated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic stent placement in patients with PD presenting with chronic pancreatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The outcome of endoscopic treatment was evaluated in 16 patients with PD presenting with chronic pancreatitis, who underwent stenting as a first line of treatment. Chart reviews and patient interviews by mail and telephone were conducted. Median follow-up time was 51 months (range 6-120).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After one episode of stenting and subsequent stent extraction, five of 16 patients remained pain-free (i.e., for a median time of 45 months, range 12-64). Six patients had temporary pain relief (14 months), and five patients experienced no effect of stent therapy. A total of five patients underwent surgery after failure of stenting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with chronic pancreatitis and a PD should undergo trial stenting, since every third patient remains symptom-free after one episode of stenting.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Surgery, Academic Medical Centre Amsterdam, The Netherlands. D.Boerma@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boerma
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Huibregtse
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Gulik
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Rauws
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Obertop
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gouma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000002:abnormalities*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome