Open AccessEndoscopic sphincterotomy in acute gallstone pancreatitis: a prospective study of the late outcome
Author(s) -
Gislason Hjörtur,
Vetrhus Morten,
Horn Arild,
Hoem Dag,
Söndenaa Karl,
Søreide Odd,
Viste Asgaut,
AndrénSandberg Åke
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
european journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1741-9271
pISSN - 1102-4151
DOI - 10.1080/110241501750099410
Subject(s) - medicine , gallstones , cholecystectomy , pancreatitis , acute pancreatitis , surgery , common bile duct , prospective cohort study , incidence (geometry) , general surgery , optics , physics
Objective: To describe the outcome after acute biliary pancreatitis in patients treated during the acute attack by endoscopic sphincterotomy without cholecystectomy. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: University hospital, Norway. Subjects: 130 patients with gallstones and acute pancreatitis. In 62 patients with common bile duct stones the bile duct was cleared by sphincterotomy and stone extraction. The remaining 68 patients had prophylactic sphincterotomy. Cholecystectomy was not planned later. Main outcome measures: Incidence of recurrent acute pancreatitis and need for cholecystectomy. Results: 21 patients were dead or not available for the follow‐up. Consequently 109 patients were followed‐up for a median of 39 months (range 23–62). One patient had recurrent pancreatitis. 20 patients had a cholecystectomy later for symptoms related to gallstone disease. Of the rest, 25 patients had moderate or mild gallstone‐related symptoms. There was no difference in gallstone‐related symptoms between those who had had stones in the bile duct and those who had not. 63 patients had no symptoms related to gallstones. Conclusion: Endoscopic sphincterotomy during or immediately after acute gallstone pancreatitis resulted in half the patients being free of symptoms during the next three years. Copyright © 2001 Taylor and Francis Ltd.