Behandeling van chronische pancreatitis

Intractable abdominal pain is the most prevalent indication for endoscopic or surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis.

In patients with symptomatic chronic pancreatitis a multidisciplinary approach is indicated. Treatment is primarily aimed at reducing pain and improving the quality of life. In the case of advanced disease there is a preference for surgical intervention.

The type of surgery depends mainly on whether the pancreatic duct is dilated due to obstruction, the level of obstruction, the presence or absence of an inflammatory mass in the head or tail of the pancreas and the occurrence of local complications.

Animal experiments have shown that early diagnosis and intervention, such as relieving ductal obstruction, offer the opportunity to delay and perhaps even prevent the progressive loss of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function.