Therapeutic pancreatic endoscopy.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has transitioned from diagnostic to therapeutic use for biliary and pancreatic disorders.
• Advanced imaging like CT and MRI, alongside techniques such as endoscopic ultrasonography, aid pancreatic disease diagnosis and management.
• ERCP complications can be mitigated through integrated diagnostic and interventional approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in therapeutic pancreatic endoscopy.
• To highlight key challenges and limitations in current pancreatic endotherapy research.

Main Methods:

• Review of therapeutic pancreatic endoscopy papers published within the last year.
• Analysis of the current state of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for pancreatic diseases.

Main Results:

• Therapeutic pancreatic endoscopy techniques are often applied to small patient numbers.
• Most reported techniques originate from expert centers.
• A significant lack of randomized controlled trials comparing endoscopic techniques with surgery or medical therapy exists.

Conclusions:

• Despite advancements, pancreatic endotherapy research requires larger, randomized studies.
• The limited scope and reporting of current techniques necessitate further investigation for broader clinical application.