Pancreatic sphincterotomy and pancreatic endoprosthesis.

Recently, endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST), developed as a treatment of bile duct stone or papillary stenosis, has been used for transpapillary biliary drainage in cases of extrahepatic biliary stenosis. For the nonoperative treatment of chronic pancreatitis, we have developed this procedure into a technique for opening the pancreatic duct orifice. Pancreatic sphincterotomy was performed successfully in 10 out of 13 cases with chronic pancreatitis and improved the clinical symptoms in 9 cases. Moreover, in 3 cases we succeeded in inspecting the intrapancreatic duct by peroral pancreatoscopy, and in removing stones from the main pancreatic duct in 2 cases in this series, using the basket. Also through the opened pancreatic orifice, a pancreatic endoprosthesis was placed endoscopically into the main pancreatic duct in 3 cases to improve pancreatic drainage. This report discusses method, evaluation, and complications of pancreatic sphincterotomy in the endoscopic treatment of chronic pancreatitis, and describes successful cases of the basket removal of pancreatic stones and the placement of pancreatic endoprosthesis through the opening of the pancreatic orifice.

New development of peroral cholangioscopy--evaluation of double-angle, oblique viewing cholangioscope.

Seven years have passed since the first report on peroral cholangioscopy by Takekoshi and Takagi (1) in Japan. Recently, several types of peroral cholangioscope with a forceps channel have been made for this treatment. However, the success rate of insertion of these instruments into the common bile duct was less than 50%. Therefore, in cooperation with Fuji-Photo-Optical Co. Ltd., we have made a new scope with the aim of facilitating insertion into the bile duct. Using this new scope, called a double-angle, oblique viewing cholangioscope, we obtain good orientation in the duodenum in en-face view and close inspection of the duodenal papilla, which makes possible easier insertion into the common bile duct. This new scope proved useful in basket removal of bile duct stone, or differential diagnosis between stones and carcinoma of the biliary tract.

[Treatment and prevention of infections with cefoxitin sodium in patients with biliary tract infections and obstructive jaundice].

UNLABELLED: A total of 24 patients who was hospitalized in the Internal Medicine Wards of Yamaguchi University attached Hospital and the university's 3 related hospitals were administered with cefoxitin. The breakdown of the patients treated with cefoxitin was 7 with cholecystitis, 7 with choledochitis and the remaining 10 for the prevention of infections with obstructive jaundice. Daily doses of 2-6 g of cefoxitin were administered for 6-40 days by intermittent intravenous drip infusion in divided doses. RESULTS: 1. Of 14 patients with biliary tract infections, 10 (71.4%) responded favorably with cefoxitin. 2. Of 10 patients with obstructive jaundice used for the prevention of infections, 8 (80%) responded favorably with cefoxitin. 3. No untoward side effects were observed. 4. Cefoxitin proved to be a safe and effective antibiotic in the treatment of biliary tract infections and for the prevention of infections in patients with obstructive jaundice.