Endotherapy for Pancreas Divisum

Pancreas divisum (PD) is a common anatomic variant of the pancreatic duct. Causal association between PD and pancreatitis has been debated for many years. Minor papilla sphincterotomy (miES) is offered in clinical practice to patients with idiopathic acute recurrent pancreatitis (iRAP) and PD. However, available data originate mainly from observational studies with many limitations. An ongoing international, multicenter, sham-controlled trial is evaluating the efficacy of miES in iRAP and PD. Endoscopic therapy for pain relief has limited to no benefit in patients with chronic abdominal pain or chronic pancreatitis who have PD and is not recommended.
Source: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Source Type: research