Clinical outcomes in patients who undergo extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for chronic calcific pancreatitis.
BACKGROUND
There is controversy as to whether extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy fragmentation and ERCP retrieval of pancreatic stones are associated with relief of chronic pain or relapsing attacks of pancreatitis. Our most recent experience with this technology is reviewed.


METHODS
Forty patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis who required extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy between 1995 and 2000 to facilitate pancreatic duct stone removal were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included patient presentation, number of lithotripsy and ERCP sessions required, complications, and outcomes measures to include pre- and post-ESWL pain scale, monthly oxycodone (5 mg)-equivalent pills ingested, yearly hospitalizations, and need for subsequent surgery.


RESULTS
A single extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy session was required for 35 patients who underwent a total of 86 ERCPs to achieve complete stone extraction from the main pancreatic duct. Minor complications occurred in 20%. There was one episode of pancreatic sepsis that was treated with antibiotics and removal of an occluded pancreatic prosthesis. At a mean [SD] follow-up of 2.4 (0.6) years, 80% of patients had avoided surgery and there was a statistically significant decrease in pain scores (6.9 [1.3] vs. 2.9 [1.1]; p = 0.001), yearly hospitalizations for pancreatitis (3.9 [1.9] vs. 0.9 [0.9]; p = 0.001), and oxycodone-equivalent narcotic medication ingested monthly (125 [83] vs. 81 [80]; p = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy fragmentation of pancreatic duct calculi in conjunction with endoscopic clearance of the main pancreatic duct is associated with significant improvement in clinical outcomes in most patients with chronic pancreatitis.
Kozarek
Richard A
RA
Sections of Gastroenterology, Urology, and General Surgery, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 98101, USA.
Brandabur
John J
JJ
Ball
Terrence J
TJ
Gluck
Michael
M
Patterson
David J
DJ
Attia
Fouad
F
France
Renee
R
Traverso
L William
LW
Koslowski
Paul
P
Gibbons
Robert P
RP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002137:Calculi / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D019233:Retreatment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid