A case of chronic pancreatitis successfully treated by endoscopic removal of protein plugs

A 56 years old male with chronic pancreatitis complained of intractable abdominal pain, anorexia, emaciation and peripheral edema. Medical treatment initiated only partial improvement in the general condition and hypoproteinemia. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed multiple filling defects in the dilated main pancreatic duct. Endoscopic aspiration of pure pancreatic juice yielded numerous protein plugs. The endoscopic removal of protein plugs from the pancreatic duct resulted in remarkable improvement in symptoms, laboratory findings and ERCP findings. We consider this procedure to be an important new treatment of chronic pancreatitis.