부산대학교 도서관

Background and aims: Endoscopy seems to offer an alternative to the surgical treatment of cholestasis, pseudocyst and pain relief in chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopy regarding these complications in CP. Material and methods: Thirty patients (20 men and 10 women) with CP, hospitalized between 2003-2005, were included into the study. In 14 cases, cholestasis (mean bilirubin serum level; 4.5 ± 1.6 mg/dl) was found, while 4 patients presented a pancreatic pseudocyst (mean diameter was 90 ± 19 mm). In 22 patients a sphincterotomy was performed and a prothesis inserted: in 11 of these cases - into the common biliary duct (CBD), in 8 -- into the pancreatic duct (PD) and in 3 -- into both the CBD and PD. In 4 patients with no PD stricture, only a pancreatic sphincterotomy was undertaken. Four cases of pancreatic pseudocysts were qualified to undergo endoprothesis insertion. Drainage holes were opened in 4 patients (1 transgastral, 1 transduodenal, 2 presenting PD). Results: Pain relief was achieved within 24-48 hours after the endoscopic procedure in all the examined patients. Normalization of the cholestatic biochemical values was observed within 2 weeks after endoscopic treatment. There has been no recurrence of pancreatic pseudocysts. No complications after endoscopic treatment of CP have been observed. Conclusion: Endoscopic treatment of the complications of CP is an effective and safe procedure and can be provided as an alternative treatment to surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]