Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic duct stone / 国际外科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Pancreatic duct stones are closely related to chronic pancreatitis. Although the incidence is low, they can cause intractable abdominal pain and may lead to pancreatic cancer. Changes in the composition of pancreatic juice are the essential causes for the formation of pancreatic duct stones, while local inflammation and pancreatic ductal stenosis are the direct causes of the progression of stones and the recurrence of the symptoms, and they are also the main targets of treatment. Endoscopic treatment combined with extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy has a good therapeutic effect on most pancreatic duct stones. More complex stones require surgical intervention. The choice of specific surgical methods is related to the size and distribution of the stones. Treatment schemes should aim at reducing long-term stones or pain recurrence, and preserving more endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas, in order to bring greater benefits to patients.