ENDOSCOPY AND EXTRACORPOREAL LITHOTRIPSY IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC CALCIFYING PANCREATITIS

In the management of severe chronic pancreatitis, a variety of new end oscopic methods have been proposed as an alternative to traditional su rgery. The main goal of these procedures is the remission of pain. The y include pancreatic endoscopic sphincterotomy with subsequent endosco pic extraction, which can be associated to extracorporeal shock-wave l ithotripsy for stone desintegration before removal of large calculi, a nd to the insertion of a pancreatic stent in case of a pancreatic duct stricture. We present two cases of severe chronic pancreatitis manage d successfully with this endoscopic treatment.