Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography in pancreatitis with persistent or recurrent pain

We have reviewed the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograms (ERCPs) of 115 patients already known to have pancreatitis, who were referred because of persistent or recurrent pain, in order to determine the prevalence of those lesions that have been regarded as amenable to conservative surgery. Such lesions were seen on the pancreatograms of 35 patients and on the cholangiograms of 29 patients. In all, 53 patients (46.1%) had 'treatable' lesions demonstrated at ERCP. Preoperative ERCP is helpful in demonstrating operable features in both pancreatic and biliary systems, and should be part of any prospective long-term study of pain relief in pancreatitis.