ENDOSCOPIC STENTING FOR PAIN RELIEF IN CHRONIC-PANCREATITIS - RESULTSOF A STANDARDIZED PROTOCOL

Background: Pancreatic endoscopic stenting aims to relieve abdominal p ain due to chronic pancreatitis. Optimal treatment modalities and post -treatment effects have still to be determined. The object of this stu dy was to investigate the results of a standardized protocol of endosc opic stenting. Methods: Twenty-three patients with abdominal pain due to chronic pancreatitis and stricture of the distal main pancreatic du ct were treated according to the following protocol: after balloon dil ation of the stenosis, a 10F stent was placed into the main pancreatic duct and then exchanged every 2 months, the total duration of drainag e being 6 months. Results: Use of analgesics could be discontinued in 17 patients (74%) on termination of drainage, and in 12 patients (52%) 1 year later. These results were significantly associated with reduct ion of main pancreatic duct diameter and resolution of stricture, but were not influenced by abstinence from alcohol and pancreatic enzyme s upplementation. Conclusions: Pancreatic duct stenting results in short -term clinical improvement in patients with chronic pancreatitis and p roximal main pancreatic duct stricture. Persistance of advantageous cl inical results is to be expected in 50% of cases and when strictures h ave resolved.