Long-term results of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy and endoscopic therapy for pancreatic stones.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term results of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) and endoscopic therapy for pancreatic stones.


METHODS
A total of 117 patients with pancreatic stones underwent ESWL and endoscopic treatment in our institute. Seventy patients who were followed-up for over 3 years after treatment were evaluated retrospectively.


RESULTS
Immediate pain relief was achieved in 97% and complete removal of stones was achieved in 56%. During the long-term follow-up evaluation, 49 of 70 patients continued to be asymptomatic. Pain recurred more frequently in patients with incomplete removal than in those with complete removal (P < .05). Twenty-one patients who became symptomatic during the follow-up period underwent additional therapy, and pain relief was attained without surgery in all of them. Both endocrine and exocrine function deteriorated after the long-term follow-up period (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
ESWL and endoscopic treatment of pancreatic stones proved to be effective for long-term pain relief, especially in patients in whom stones were removed completely at initial therapy.
Tadenuma
Hiroshi
H
Department of Medicine and Clinical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-01 Inohana, Chuoku, Chiba 260-0805, Japan. tade@staysea.nir.jp
Ishihara
Takeshi
T
Yamaguchi
Taketo
T
Tsuchiya
Shouichi
S
Kobayashi
Akitoshi
A
Nakamura
Kazuyoshi
K
Sakurada
Reiko
R
Saisho
Hiromitsu
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002137:Calculi / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies