[Dilatation of pancreatic duct stenoses with the ring coagulator--initial experiences]

Stenoses of the main pancreatic duct in chronic pancreatitis should be treated by interventional endoscopy. If mechanical dilatation was unsuccessful, a thermodilator has been in use in our clinic since September 1998. From September 1998 to March 1999 dilation of pancreatic duct stenoses was done by the thermodilator in six patients. An asymptomatic elevation of amylase and lipase was noticed in one patient. There were no further complications. The termodilator is a promising instrument for dilatation of difficult stenoses of the main pancreatic duct. Before general use, however, evaluation of the success and complication rates in a greater number of patients is needed.