Outcome of endoscopic minor papillotomy in patients with symptomatic pancreas divisum.
BACKGROUND
Pancreas divisum has been associated with recurrent acute pancreatitis, chronic abdominal pain without elevated pancreatic enzymes, and chronic pancreatitis. Prior studies suggest that endoscopic minor papillotomy benefits certain symptomatic pancreas divisum patients. However, the data are quite limited and there is a lack of long-term follow-up.


OBJECTIVE
To describe a retrospective study of endoscopic minor papillotomy for pancreas divisum.


METHODS
Eighty-nine adult patients who underwent endoscopic minor papillotomy at our referral center were included in the study. Median follow-up was 29 months.


METHODS
We conducted a telephone survey. Fifty-three patients were available for the telephone survey.


RESULTS
Thirty-two patients (60.4%) reported immediate improvement: however, symptoms recurred in 17 (53.1% of the immediate responders). Repeat endoscopic interventions were performed in 8 patients, with long-term improvement in two. Overall long-term improvement was achieved in 17 patients (32.1%). Results of minor papillotomy were more favorable for patients with recurrent, well-defined bouts of pancreatitis (immediate improvement: P=0.036; long-term improvement: P=0.064) compared to those with pancreatitis who reported continuous pain and those without clinical evidence of pancreatitis (immediate improvement: 73.3%, 42.9% and 44.4%, respectively; long-term improvement: 43.3%, 21.4%, and 11.1%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term benefit from endoscopic minor papillotomy using strict criteria is poorer than suggested from previous studies. However, pancreas divisum patients with well-defined bouts of pancreatitis are more likely to benefit from endoscopic minor papillotomy than those without symptom-free intervals between "attacks" and those with pain that is not associated with elevated pancreatic enzymes.
Gerke
Henning
H
Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University Medical Center. Durham, North Carolina 27705, USA. gerke003@notes.duke.edu
Byrne
Michael F
MF
Stiffler
Helen L
HL
Obando
Jorge V
JV
Mitchell
Robert M
RM
Jowell
Paul S
PS
Branch
Malcolm S
MS
Baillie
John
J
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016717:Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome