Medical management of chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis should be considered in all patients with unexplained abdominal pain. The importance of small duct disease without obvious radiographic abnormalities is an important new concept. Diagnostic evaluation should begin with simple, non-invasive, inexpensive tests (serum trypsinogen) to be followed by more complicated testing (hormone stimulation test) if needed. Enteric-coated pancreatic enzymes are the drugs of choice for treating steatorrhea, while conventional non-enteric coated enzymes are preferred for managing pain. The somatostatin analogue octreotide may become an important therapy for treating abdominal pain unresponsive to pancreatic enzyme therapy. Endoscopic approaches to the treatment of chronic pancreatitis are experimental and may cause damage to the pancreas. Surgical ductal decompression is appropriate in selected patients.