ABSTRACT
AIM: Long-term results of endoscopic pancreatic stenting in pancreas divisum is still debated. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of dorsal duct stenting in patients presenting with acute recurrent pancreatitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1980 and 1998, among 34 patients presenting with recurrent acute pancreatitis associated with pancreas divisum, 21 were treated by pancreatic stenting during a mean time of 11 months. There were 13 men and eight women (mean age: 50 years). RESULTS: The median follow-up was 50 (range 11-105) months. The number of patients presenting with acute pancreatitis before pancreatic stenting, at the end of stenting and at the end of the follow-up was respectively 21/21 (100%), 2/19 (10%) and 2/18 (11%) (P < 0.01). The number of patients presenting with chronic pain before stenting, at the end of stenting and at the end of the follow-up was respectively 17/21 (80%), 6/19 (31%) and 5/18 (27%) (P = 0.07). The overall morbidity rate was 8/21 patients (38%) including mainly acute pancreatitis (three cases); all but one complication were managed conservatively. CONCLUSION: In patients with pancreas divisum, dorsal duct stenting decreases the rate of recurrent acute pancreatitis but the improvement of chronic pain appears less obvious.
