We present an overview of endoscopic
therapies for
chronic pancreatitis (CP) and its associated conditions. It is evident that endoscopy can be a definite
therapy for
pancreatic pseudocysts, pancreatic
ascites and pancreatic duct (PD) disruption. Endoscopic
therapy has also been useful in the short-term and medium
therapy of common bile duct
strictures due to CP, the best results being obtained if there are no calcifications in the head of the pancreas. Although most experts agree that obstruction to the outflow of pancreatic juice and the resulting increased pressure within the main PD is one of the major factors contributing to
pain and that endoscopic
therapy has been proven effective to remove stones as well as to dilate PD
strictures and place
stents across the PD, there is no convincing evidence from randomized trials that the patient's dominant symptom of CP, i.e.
pain, is resolved in an appropriate and long-term fashion. We believe that there are other factors which are important in the etiology of
chronic pain such as pancreatic
inflammation and peripancreatic
fibrosis with resulting
nerve entrapment around the gland. The reader is reminded that endoscopic
therapy is associated with significant and important complications, therefore appropriate patient selection and patient information are of paramount importance. Nevertheless, it is important to consider that one advantage of endoscopic management of CP is that it is less invasive as compared with surgery, often effective for years, does not hinder further surgery, and can be repeated. Finally we want to emphasize that there are many valid surgical, radiological and endoscopic techniques to treat the complications of CP. Therefore, the approach to CP and its complications should be by a multidisciplinary team of gastroenterologists, surgeons, radiologists, endoscopists and
pain specialists.