Endoscopic pancreatic duct sphincterotomy: indications, technique, and analysis of results

Fifty-six patients, 54 of whom had chronic pancreatitis, underwent endoscopic pancreatic duct sphincterotomy during a 4-year period from 1988 to 1992. Acute complications noted in 10% of patients included exacerbation of pancreatitis (4) and cholangitis (2). Chronic complications included induction of asymptomatic ductal changes in 16%, thought to be related to endoprosthesis placement, and stenosis of the sphincterotomy site in 14%, requiring repeated endoscopic or surgical sphincter section. When combined with a number of ancillary procedures, including removal of obstructing ductal calculi and stent placement for ductal disruption or stenosis, pancreatic duct sphincterotomy was associated with amelioration of chronic pain or decreased number of clinical attacks of pancreatitis in a subset of patients. The authors conclude that endoscopic pancreatic duct sphincterotomy enlarges our endotherapeutic armamentarium and deserves additional evaluation.