Outcomes after clearance of pancreatic stones with or without pancreatic stenting

Background Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) and endoscopic lithotripsy are useful for the fragmentation and extraction of pancreatic stones. However, pancreatic stones often recur, for which an adequate strategy is needed. Treatment for stricture of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) with a pancreatic stent after clearance of pancreatic stones may reduce the recurrence of pancreatic symptoms and stones. Methods Forty patients with chronic pancreatitis with MPD stones were treated with ESWL in combination with endoscopic stone extraction. After clearance of the stones, a pancreatic stent was inserted when a stricture of MPD was observed on pancreatography. The stent was exchanged every 3 months and removed after a total of 1 year. We examined episodes of recurrent pain and pancreatitis in patients with and without stenting, as well as the MPD diameter, during follow-up. Results MPD stricture was seen in 27 patients, and a stent was successfully inserted in 24 of them. Pancreatic symptoms recurred in five patients (21%) in the stenting group and in three patients (23%) in the control group during a mean follow-up period of 1.5 and 1.2 years, respectively. The diameter of the MPD, before, just after, and 1 year after treatment, was 7.6, 5.4, and 5.8 mm, respectively. It was significantly decreased after 1 year of follow-up, as well as just after stent removal, compared with before treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusions Additional stenting for MPD after extraction of pancreatic stones may reduce the risk of recurrence of pancreatic symptoms.     

Fundamental and clinical studies of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for pancreatic duct stones]

The application of ESWL for pancreatic duct stones was studied clinically, and the safety of this technique was also investigated experimentally. In 12 patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis and having calcified stones in the main pancreatic duct, ESWL was performed. None of the patient had received endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy before ESWL. Stone disintegration was obtained in all cases, and the main pancreatic duct stones completely disappeared in 9 of 12 cases. As a result, not only exacerbation of pancreatitis was removed, but also the preservation of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine functions was suggested. With regard to complications, no abnormalities were observed experimentally in the pancreatic parenchyma of treated dogs, and similarly no acute symptoms were recognized in the patients with pancreatic duct stones. ESWL for pancreatic duct stones is low in stress for the patient, and is effective for large stones. We therefore conclude that ESWL might be an extremely useful, new non-surgical treatment approach to control of pancreatic duct stones.     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for the treatment of pancreatic duct stones

The purpose of endoscopic therapy in chronic pancreatitis is to decompress the main pancreatic duct and to remove the obstacles that impede the ductal flow of pancreatic juice. The availability of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has improved the results of endoscopic drainage of the main pancreatic duct and has also expanded the indications of endoscopic therapy for chronic pancreatitis. This article briefly reviews ESWL for pancreatic duct stones in patients with chronic pancreatitis, including our experience with ESWL. ESWL is an effective and safe procedure for endoscopically unremovable main pancreatic duct stones, and, in selected patients, ESWL alone may be effective.     

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy of Pancreatic Duct Stones

Chronic calcifying pancreatitis presents a major clinical problem, often requiring extensive surgery. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) offers a new therapeutic option. We applied ESWL after endoscopic sphincterotomy of the pancreatic orifice in eight patients with impacted pancreatic duct stones. An electromagnetic lithotriptor (Siemens Lithostar, Erlangen, FRG) was used. Patients were treated in prone position under fluoroscopic control. A mean of 6,813 shock waves (range 1,500-10,000) was delivered in one or two sessions. Disintegration of stones was achieved in 6/8 patients, initial relief of pain in 7/8 patients, and total clearance of the pancreatic duct in 3/8 patients. One patient had an exacerbation of her pancreatitis one day after ESWL, which resolved rapidly with medical treatment. No other complications were observed. Four of five patients with fragmented stones had no abdominal complaints at follow-up (mean 17 months, range 3-27). Three patients in whom ESWL was not completely successful (two without and one with partial fragmentation) underwent an operation according to Puestow. Two of them still have abdominal complaints after surgery. From these data, we conclude that ESWL of pancreatic duct stones is a promising new alternative for surgery, when endoscopic stone extraction fails.     

EFFECT OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCKWAVE LITHOTRIPSY AND ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT ON SYMPTOMS AND PANCREATIC FUNCTION IN PANCREATOLITHIASIS

Aims: To investigate the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) combined with endoscopic treatment for pancreatolithiasis and assess the pancreatic functions after treatment. Patients: Forty‐eight cases with pancreatolithiasis in the main pancreatic duct (MPD) treated by ESWL combined with endoscopic treatments were investigated. Methods: The disappearance rate of abdominal symptoms, the frequency of admission for acute exacerbation of pancreatitis before and after treatment, the relationship of removal of pancreatic stones with recurrence and stricture of the MPD, and pancreatic functions before and after treatment were examined. Results: Treatment for pancreatolithiasis improved symptoms in 95.1% and significantly reduced the frequency of admission for 1 year from 1.4 to 0.2 on average. Pancreatic stones were excellently eliminated in 93.8%. Even in cases complicated with the stricture of MPD, combination with endoscopic techniques provided treatment efficacy comparable to that in cases without such complications. The Bentiromide test significantly improved within 3 months after treatment. It improved 1–2 and 2–3 years after treatment but there was no significant difference. Endocrine functions were maintained in 93.6%, 74.3%, 66.7%, and 64.3% within 3 months, 1–2 years, 2–3 years, and 3 or more years, respectively, after treatment. Conclusions: ESWL combined with endoscopic treatment provides comparable treatment efficacy in cases with and without stricture of the MPD. Treatment for pancreatolithiasis is useful for not only alleviating abdominal symptoms but also maintaining pancreatic exocrine function and management of the diabetes.     

Disintegration of pancreatic duct stones with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy]

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Treatment of pancreatic duct stones by extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) serves as a nonsurgical treatment modality in patients with stones that are located in upstream of the strictures or in patients with impacted stones. We present the results of ESWL in endoscopically unretrievable pancreatic duct stones in the past 2 years. METHODS: Between January 2002 and December 2003, 58 patients with chronic pancreatitis were treated by ESWL for pancreatic duct stones. ESWL was performed with an electrohydraulic lithotripter ultrasound focusing system. RESULTS: The mean number of shockwave treatments was 2.5, and the patients received 4,578 (1,527-10,155) shockwave discharges with a mean energy of 15.8 kV. Fragmentations of the stones were achieved in 54 patients (93.2%), and complete clearance of the stones were noticed in 27 patients (46.6%). Fragmentation of stones equal or less than 3 mm in diameter was associated with successful removal of stones (p<0.05). Complete relief of pain occurred in 32 patients (55.2%). The procedures were well tolerated and no patient had significant complications such as acute pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: ESWL is an effective and a safe procedure for endoscopically unretrievable main pancreatic duct stones. ESWL combined with endoscopic therapy can increase the success rate of nonsurgical removal of pancreatic duct stones in patients with chronic pancreatitis.     

Multiple main pancreatic duct stones in tropical pancreatitis: safe clearance with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) has an established role in the management of pancreatic ductal stones. Its efficacy in management of multiple stones in tropical pancreatitis is unknown. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate: (i) the efficacy of main pancreatic duct stone clearance; and (ii) associated complications with ESWL therapy in tropical pancreatitis. METHODS: Consecutively recruited patients with tropical pancreatitis underwent fragmentation of main pancreatic duct stones using ESWL. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) using standard techniques was performed to manage residual stones. Complete, partial and unsatisfactory clearance was defined as >90%, 50-90% and <50% of stone clearance, respectively. Clinical and technical data were collected on a pre-formatted data sheet. Statistical analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: A total of 250 patients (mean+/-SD age 35.2+/-11.9 years; 66% men), 86.8% with multiple radio-opaque stones, underwent ESWL between February 2004 and May 2005. Of the 250 patients, 149 (59.6%) achieved complete clearance and 59 (23.6%) achieved partial clearance of pancreatic calculi. Main pancreatic ductal decompression was achieved in 70.0% (175/250) of patients. Complications occurred in 5.6% (14/250) during ESWL and in 1.2% (3/250) during ERCP. A mean of 1.3 sessions, with mean+/-SD 5.5+/-0.7 intensity setting, 85.8+/-13.5 pulses per minute and 3862+/-1426 shocks per session were required. CONCLUSION: Clearance of multiple main pancreatic duct stones in patients with tropical pancreatitis is safely performed via ESWL followed by ERCP ductal drainage.     

Per-oral pancreatoscopy-guided lithotripsy vs. extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for treating refractory main pancreatic duct stones in chronic pancreatitis: Protocol for an open-label multi-center randomized clinical trial

Backgrounds/ObjectivesPatients with chronic pancreatitis may develop pancreatic duct stones that can obstruct outflow leading to ductal hypertension and pain. Both endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) with per-oral pancreatoscopy (POP) and intraductal lithotripsy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) are feasible options to attempt ductal stone clearance. This study aims to compare POP-guided lithotripsy with ESWL in the management of refractory symptomatic main pancreatic duct stones.MethodsThis is an open-label, multi-center, parallel, randomized clinical trial. Patients with chronic pancreatitis and main pancreatic duct stones ≥5 mm who fail standard ERP methods for stone removal will be eligible for this study. In total, 150 subjects will be randomized 1:1 to either ESWL or POP. A maximum of 4 sessions of either ESWL or POP will be allowed in each arm, with crossover permitted thereafter. The primary outcome is complete stone clearance and secondary outcomes include quality of life, pain scores, number of interventions, and daily opiate requirements.ConclusionsThis study aims to answer the question of which lithotripsy method is superior in removing refractory pancreatic duct stones while addressing the effects of lithotripsy on quality of life and pain in patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04115826).     

Long term follow up of patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic stones treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

BACKGROUND: There have been conflicting reports as to whether pancreatic ductal drainage achieved by endoscopy and lithotripsy improves the clinical outcome of patients with chronic pancreatitis. AIMS: To determine the clinical outcome in patients with chronic pancreatitis who received extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), and were followed up for two to eight years. METHODS: Eighty patients with severe chronic pancreatitis and endoscopically unretrievable obstructive stones underwent ESWL with a piezoelectric lithotripter between 1989 and 1996. Clinical status, relief of symptoms, further endoscopic or surgical interventions, and mortality were defined. RESULTS: Forty three (54%) patients were treated successfully with ESWL. The only feature associated with treatment success was the presence of a single stone rather than multiple stones. Successfully treated patients tended to experience less pain, although this did not reach statistical significance. A slight increase in weight was noted in our patients; however, there was no notable improvement in anomalous stools and diabetes mellitus. Five patients died due to extrapancreatic reasons. No pancreatic carcinomas developed. CONCLUSIONS: ESWL associated with endoscopic drainage is a safe technique that is particularly successful in patients with a single stone. However, pancreatic drainage by endoscopy and ESWL has almost no effect on pain in chronic pancreatitis. Furthermore, endoscopic management and ESWL does not prevent or postpone the development of glandular insufficiency.     

Treatment for painful calcified chronic pancreatitis: extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy versus endoscopic treatment: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: In chronic pancreatitis, obstruction of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) may contribute to the pathogenesis of pain. Pilot studies suggest that extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) alone relieves pain in calcified chronic pancreatitis. AIM: To compare ESWL alone with ESWL and endoscopic drainage of the MPD for treatment of pain in chronic pancreatitis. SUBJECTS: Patients with uncomplicated painful chronic pancreatitis and calcifications obstructing the MPD. METHODS: 55 patients were randomised to ESWL alone (n = 26) or ESWL combined with endoscopy (n = 29). RESULTS: 2 years after trial intervention, 10 (38%) and 13 (45%) patients of the ESWL alone and ESWL combined with endoscopy group, respectively, had presented pain relapse (primary outcome) (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.23 to 2.57). In both groups, a similar decrease was seen after treatment in the MPD diameter (mean decrease 1.7 mm; 95% CI 0.9 to 2.6; p<0.001), and in the number of pain episodes/year (mean decrease, 3.7; 95% CI 2.6 to 4.9; p<0.001). Treatment costs per patient were three times higher in the ESWL combined with endoscopy group compared with the ESWL alone group (p = 0.001). The median delay between the onset of chronic pancreatitis and persistent pain relief for both groups was 1.1 year (95% CI 0.7 to 1.6), as compared with 4 years (95% CI 3 to 4) for the natural history of chronic pancreatitis in a reference cohort (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ESWL is a safe and effective preferred treatment for selected patients with painful calcified chronic pancreatitis. Combining systematic endoscopy with ESWL adds to the cost of patient care, without improving the outcome of pancreatic pain.     

ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT FOR THE BENIGN BILIARY STRICTURE IN THE PATIENT WITH CHRONIC PANCREATITIS

In some patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), strictures are observed in the intrapancreatic bile ducts due to fibrosis and inflammation in the pancreas. Normally, even when biliary strictures exist, obstructive jaundice is rarely observed. It seemed that obstructive jaundice was brought about by temporary pancreatitis due to immoderate alcohol ingestion, followed by the aggravation of the intrapancreatic biliary stricture. When immoderate alcohol ingestion is incriminated for the pancreatic disorder, the patient should be strictly instructed to abstain from alcohol, but failure to observe this instruction seems to render endoscopic biliary stenting ineffective. When CP is complicated with pancreatolithiasis, stone fragmentation using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is effective, and combination with endoscopic lithotomy makes it possible to remove pancreatic stones in the main pancreatic duct (MPD). To treat the beside dilating stricture of the MPD, balloon dilation and pancreatic duct stenting are performed. We obtained good results with 10 Fr pancreatic duct stents, but biliary strictures are better treated with a combination of these methods. When 10 Fr or larger straight biliary stents are used, they may be dislodged or stray if the bile duct is sharply curved. To prevent this accident we have used 10 Fr double layer stents and obtained good results. In patients with benign biliary strictures, stents are temporarily placed and should be removable. Some cases have been reported where Wallstent gave good results in a short period, but the stents were occluded due to hyperplastic proliferation of the biliary epithelium. Metal stents are not considered desirable for benign biliary strictures. Our results seem to support the assumption that benign biliary strictures are improved with 10 Fr or larger biliary stents while exercizing care to keep the patient abstinent from alcohol and performing ESWL and endoscopic treatment for CP.     

A Case of Pancreatolithiasis Treated by a Combination of Endoscopic Extraction and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

We report on the case of a 50-year-old woman with idiopathic chronic calcifying pancreatitis and diabetes. An endoscopic retrograde pancreatography showed a stone with a diameter of 23 mm and multiple small stones in the head of the pancreas. An endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy was performed. However, the stone could not be removed endoscopically. So we performed an extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) using a Tripter X1. The stone was located in the shock wave focus by fluoroscopy. Under intravenous sedation, the patient received 5 ESWL sessions (a total of 11700 shock waves with an energy of 18kv). ESWL permitted stone disintegration and successful endoscopic extraction of the fragments. Complete clearance in the main pancreatic duct was achieved. No severe complications were observed. After treatment, an improvement in the PFD test was seen. ESWL is an effective method for treatment of endoscopically unextractable pancreatic ductal stones.     

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy of pancreatic calculi.

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has been used to disintegrate pancreatic stones located in the main pancreatic duct for 123 patients with severe chronic pancreatitis. Endoscopic management following ESWL is aimed at restoring the pancreatic flow to the duodenum. Stone disintegration was achieved in 122 patients, whereas a decrease in the main pancreatic duct diameter resulted in 111, and complete clearance of the main pancreatic duct was obtained in 72. Pain relief, complete (40/88) or partial (35/88), correlated significantly with the results of the endoscopic drainage of the main pancreatic duct (e.g., decrease in main pancreatic duct diameter). Relapsing pain was most often related to recurrent pancreatic duct obstruction. Of 76 patients whose body weight had decreased before ESWL, 54 gained weight. Improvement of the exocrine function, evaluated by the [14C]triolein breath test before and 11 months, on the average, after ESWL, was observed in 12 patients among 22 for whom this test was performed before and after treatment. Improvement of the endocrine function after relief of obstruction of the main pancreatic duct was less frequently recorded (4/41). ESWL of pancreatic stones is a new, safe, and highly effective method of facilitating the endoscopic procedures for relief of pancreatic duct obstruction in severe chronic pancreatitis.     

The endoscopic approach to pancreatic duct stones

Pancreatic duct stones may complicate the course of chronic pancreatitis and be responsible for recurrent episodes of pancreatitis and/or exacerbations of abdominal pain. Endoscopic management of pancreatic duct stones with or without extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a relatively safe and effective method to treat main pancreatic duct stones in symptomatic patients. Selection of candidates most likely to respond to endoscopic therapy needs further evaluation. Studies comparing medical, surgical, and endoscopic treatment of pancreatic duct stones are still awaited.     

Endoscopic treatment of an impacted pancreatic duct stone using a balloon catheter for electrohydraulic lithotripsy without pancreatoscopy

Obstructing main pancreatic duct (PD) stones represent a challenge for endoscopic removal because they are frequently impacted within the duct, are hard, and process sharp edges. Multiple series have been published demonstrating that removal of obstructing stones in the main PD can improve symptoms in the majority of patients with chronic pancreatitis. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has become an accepted technique to facilitate stone clearance when standard endoscopic methods fail. More recently, direct contact lithotripsy with the use of smaller caliber endoscopes has been described as an alternative to ESWL. Limited experience suggests that intraductal electrohydraulic lithotripsy under direct endoscopic visualization with a small caliber pancreatoscope results in successful fragmentation of PD stones that have been refractory to standard endoscopic methods or ESWL. Herein, we report the use of intraductal electrohydraulic lithotripsy to fragment a large obstructing PD stone guided only by fluoroscopy without the utilization of a pancreatoscope.     

Efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for chronic pancreatitis

Introduction: There is still uncertainty regarding the efficacy and optimal modalities of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis. The aims of the present study were to assess the safety and the efficacy of ESWL, either alone or followed by therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (adjuvant ERCP) and to determine predictive factors of efficacy, in a real-life setting.

Patients and methods: This study included all consecutive patients who underwent an ESWL in a single University Hospital between 2001 and 2012. The indication for ESWL was obstructive stone(s) of the main pancreatic duct resulting in either painful chronic pancreatitis or recurrent acute pancreatitis. Success was defined by resolution of pain, no analgesic treatment, no acute pancreatitis and no surgical treatment for chronic pancreatitis 6 months after the ESWL.

Results: One hundred and forty-six patients were studied; 6/146 (4%) had a complication of ESWL. Among the 132 patients in whom follow-up was completed, 91 (69%) had an adjuvant ERCP. After 6 months of follow-up, 100/132 (76%) patients achieved success. In multivariate analysis, the single significant predictive factor of the success of the ESWL treatment was chronic pain (p?=?0.03). Patients who had chronic pain and needed opioid treatment had less chance of success than patients without chronic pain (OR 95%CI 0.31 [0.07–1.14]). We found no difference in the success rates between patients who underwent adjuvant ERCP and those who had ESWL only (p?=?0.93).

Conclusion: This study shows that the ESWL is a safe and effective treatment for patients with chronic pancreatitis and obstructive stones within the main pancreatic duct. Systematic association with therapeutic ERCP appears to provide no additional benefit and is therefore not recommended.     

Incarceration of a pancreatic stone fragment in the distal pancreatic duct after ESWL-therapy

Incarceration of a pancreatic stone fragment in the distal pancreatic duct after ESWL-therapy.A partial or total absence of stones in pancreaticolithiasis therapy can be reached by using ESWL. We report on a patient who happened to get an incarceration of a fragment in the distal pancreatic duct after having been treated by ESWL without a previous sphincterotomy to the ductus Wirsungianus. This emphasizes the recommendation to carry out a papillotomy of the pancreatic main duct before applying ESWL to pancreatic stones.     

Role of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the treatment of pancreatic stones

Calcifications in chronic pancreatitis are usually the result of chronic inflammation or altered metabolism. Calcifications can perpetuate the cycle of ductal obstruction and contribute to pain, worsening of pancreatic inflammation, ductal disruption, and deterioration of the exocrine and endocrine function of the gland. Removal of pancreatic duct calculi can reduce pain and improve glandular function. Purely endoscopic stone removal has limited success, because of stone location, burden, and presence of strictures in the pancreatic duct. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) allows fragmentation of stones refractory to endoscopic methods and facilitates spontaneous stone passage or endoscopic removal. Among the various forms of lithotripters, none is clearly superior to the others. Current data suggest that ESWL is effective in complete duct clearance in up to 50% of patients and in duct decompression and symptomatic improvement in up to 70% of patients. ESWL should be considered as a useful adjunctive tool in the treatment of pancreatic duct calculi.     

Pancreatic duct stones in chronic pancreatitis: criteria for treatment intensity and success

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate interventional endoscopic management of pancreatic duct stones in patients with chronic pancreatitis by describing therapeutic methods and defining factors that predict technical success. METHODS: Records were retrospectively analyzed for 125 patients with symptoms caused by chronic pancreatitis with pancreatic duct stones (single 43, multiple 82) treated by interventional endoscopy, including extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 85% of patients (11 patients by mechanical lithotripsy, 114 by piezoelectric extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy). There were no serious complications from lithotripsy. Univariate analysis disclosed a statistically significant association between treatment success and patient age as well as prepapillary location of stones. A greater therapeutic effort was necessary in patients with stones located in the tail of the pancreas, 2 or more stones, a stone 12 mm or more in diameter, or who have had a longer duration (>8 years) of the disease. However, with exception of the last parameter, correction for multiple testing of data removed statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy enhances endoscopic measures for treatment of pancreatic duct stones when mechanical lithotripsy fails. Middle-aged patients in the early stages of chronic pancreatitis with stones in a prepapillary location proved to be the best candidates for successful treatment. Unfavorable patient-related or morphologic factors can be compensated for through more intense efforts at therapy.     

Use of intravenous secretin during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy to facilitate endoscopic clearance of pancreatic duct stones

Background/AimsPancreatic duct calcifications are common in chronic pancreatitis. Secretin (SEC) stimulates pancreas duct cells to secrete bicarbonate-rich fluid. SEC may aid fragmentation and facilitate excretion of pulverized pancreatic stones during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The aim was to evaluate the effect of SEC administered during ESWL on clearance of main pancreatic stone (MPDS) at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).MethodsBetween Jan. 2003 and Sept. 2010, patients with MPDS who were treated with ESWL and ERCP were identified retrospectively. The number and diameter of calcifications were assessed at pre-ESWL images. Before 2006, ESWL was performed without SEC stimulation. From 2007, 16 μg of SEC was administered IV near the beginning of ESWL at the discretion of the managing physician. Clearance of the pancreatic duct was assessed with ERCP after ESWL.ResultsA total of 233 consecutive cases (SEC group: 71, no SEC group: 162) were tallied. Overall there were 310 ESWLs and 332 ERCPs in the 233 cases. On univariate analysis, the use of SEC showed significantly higher rate of complete MPDS clearance (63% vs. 46%, p = 0.021) after first ESWL/ERCP. The number of repeat sessions of ESWL/ERCP was similar between the two groups (SEC vs. No SEC, ESWL/ERCP: 1.27 vs. 1.36/1.34 vs. 1.46). Independent predictors of complete/nearly complete stone clearance included the use of SEC (p = 0.005), pre-ESWL pancreatic stent (p = 0.001).ConclusionsSecretin during ESWL appears to aid clearance of MPDS in chronic calcific pancreatitis. Further prospective randomized studies would be of interest.