Efficacy of main pancreatic-duct endoscopic drainage in patients with chronic pancreatitis, continuous pain, and dilated duct.
BACKGROUND
The aim of endoscopic treatment in patients with chronic pancreatitis is to achieve decompression of the pancreatic duct, because duct obstruction with increased pressure within the duct is one of the leading causes of pain in these patients. The majority of patients suffer from relapsing pain, thus making it difficult to evaluate the efficacy of therapy. The outcome of endoscopic treatment on pain has been evaluated in patients with continuous pain (present for more than 1 month, at least 5 days per week, requiring daily analgesic therapy) and dilated duct.


METHODS
Of 343 patients who underwent endotherapy for chronic pancreatitis in a 15-year period, 22 (6.4%)(19 men, mean age 48 years, alcohol abuse 14) had continuous pain and a dilated pancreatic duct.


RESULTS
Endotherapy was successful in all patients, with no procedure-related mortality and only mild complications. Pain disappeared, and analgesics could be discontinued in all patients immediately after endotherapy. Six patients are pain free after a mean period of 5.5 years. One pain-free patient died after 3.4 years from myocardial infarction. Five patients were successfully endoscopically re-treated for pain relapses. Four patients underwent surgery for frequent pain relapses after a mean period of 2.5 years. Six patients were lost to follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Endotherapy should be considered as the initial treatment of choice in patients with chronic pancreatitis, dilated duct, and continuous pain.
Gabbrielli
Armando
A
Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Università Campus Bio Medico, Rome, Italy.
Pandolfi
Monica
M
Mutignani
Massimiliano
M
Spada
Cristiano
C
Perri
Vincenzo
V
Petruzziello
Lucio
L
Costamagna
Guido
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016717:Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic; D016896:Treatment Outcome