title: Analysis of the effects of stent insertion and the factors related to stent retrieval in chronic pancreatitis accompanying main pancreatic duct obstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Obstruction of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) has been considered one of the major causes for pain in chronic pancreatitis (CP). In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of MPD stenting in painful CP, and tried to determine a guideline for stent removal.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen patients with painful CP who underwent MPD stenting were included. Follow up ERCP was performed 3 months after stenting in all patients. Stents were removed in patients who achieved pain relief, complete stone clearance, and decreased MPD diameter after 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before stenting, ERCP showed MPD stricture in 11 cases, MPD dilatation by stone in 1 case, concomitant stricture and stone in 4 cases. After stenting, complete pain relief was achieved in 13 patients (81.3%) and partial pain relief was achieved in 3 patient (18.7%). There was no patient whose pain was not relieved. Stents were removed in 7 patients who achieved pain relief, complete stone clearance, and decreased MPD diameter after 3 months. Decrease of MPD diameter was significantly greater in patient who could remove stent than those who could not (72.9% vs. 127.9% of initial MPD diameter, p=0.008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If partial or full pain relief is achieved after MPD stenting and follow up ERCP after 3 months shows decreased MPD diameter compared to the initial one, stent removal might be considered.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chang Hoon
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seungmin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Kyung Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Jeong Youp
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Tae Joo
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Sung Pil
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Jae Bock
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Seung Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Si Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Song