Pain management in chronic pancreatitis

Epidemiology and burden of adult chronic pancreatitis in South Australia: a 20-year data linkage study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the epidemiology and burden of adult-onset chronic pancreatitis (CP) in South Australia.

DESIGN

Retrospective case-control study; data linkage.

SETTING

All public adult hospitals in SA.

PARTICIPANTS

Administrative data linkage from South Australia-Northern Territory DataLink was used to ascertain an index cohort of all adults with an initial diagnosis of CP aged >19 years between June 2000 and June 2019. Age- and sex-matched controls were drawn from the general population of SA, adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus and adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (defined by International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision coding).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Hospital visits, days in hospital, emergency department visits, intensive care unit admissions, incidence, prevalence.

RESULTS

A total of 2503 incident index cases with CP were identified. The crude prevalence and incidence were estimated as 195.1 per 100 000 and 10.4 per 100 000 per annum, respectively. Cases of CP averaged more hospital visits for any reason (median 11, IQR 5 to 21.75) than the general population (median 1, IQR 0 to 4) and had a higher healthcare burden than controls with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes (all p<0.001). Indigenous individuals were over-represented in the cohort (n=358; 14.8% vs 1.5% of the general population) and had higher healthcare utilisation than other patients with CP (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

CP is a significant burden on the SA healthcare system and was more prevalent and more burdensome in Indigenous adults. CP consumes a disproportionate level of public health services. Our findings support further research and preventive efforts, particularly in the Indigenous population.

Surgical management of chronic pancreatitis: A narrative review

Chronic pancreatitis is a severe disabling disease with persistent pain as the most prominent symptom often leading to significant quality of life (QoL) reduction. Current international guidelines propagate a step-up approach in which surgery should only be considered as a last resort in patients with failure of both medical and endoscopic interventions. Accumulating evidence, however, suggests that surgery is superior to endoscopic therapy and that early surgical intervention is beneficial in terms of pain relief, pancreatic function and QoL. Several surgical procedures are available with low morbidity and mortality rates, providing excellent long-term results. The purpose of this review was to present an overview of the surgical treatment options for chronic pancreatitis with a focus on the timing of surgery.

Pain in chronic pancreatitis: What can we do today?

The aim of this study is to illustrate the complexity of pain management in chronic pancreatitis (CP). In this context, pain represents the most common and debilitating symptom, and it deeply affects patient's quality of life. Multiple rating scales (unidimensional, bidimensional and multidimensional) have been proposed to quantify CP pain. However, it represents the result of complex mechanisms, involving genetic, neuropathic and neurogenic factors. Considering all these aspects, the treatment should be discussed in a multidisciplinary setting and it should be approached in a stepwise manner. First, a lifestyle change is recommended and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs represent the gold standard among medical treatments for CP patients. The second step, after medical approach, is endoscopic therapy, especially for complicated CP. In case of failure, tailored surgery represents the third step and decompressive or resection procedures can be chosen. In conclusion, CP pain's management is challenging considering all these complex aspects and the lack of international protocols.

The Surgical Management of Pancreatic Pseudocysts: A Narrative Review

Pancreatic pseudocysts, commonly arising as a complication of acute or chronic pancreatitis, present a significant clinical challenge. This narrative review explores the surgical management of pancreatic pseudocysts, emphasizing advancements, techniques, and outcomes. We examine the indications for surgical intervention, including symptomatic pseudocysts, complications such as infection or hemorrhage, and pseudocysts resistant to conservative treatment. Various surgical approaches are discussed, including open surgery, laparoscopic techniques, and endoscopic interventions. The review highlights the evolution of surgical strategies, from traditional cystogastrostomy to minimally invasive methods, and assesses their efficacy and safety. Additionally, we address patient selection criteria, preoperative assessment, and postoperative care. By synthesizing current evidence and clinical experiences, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the best practices in the surgical management of pancreatic pseudocysts, offering valuable insights for clinicians in optimizing patient outcomes.

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation outcomes in patients with pancreatitis of genetic etiology: A single-center experience with a large cohort of patients

PURPOSE

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) is an effective treatment for patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) when other interventions are unsuccessful. CP has many etiologies including heredity. Metabolic and pain relief outcomes after TPIAT are presented among patients with a genetic CP etiology compared with those with a nongenetic etiology in a large cohort of patients who underwent this procedure at our center.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed of 237 patients undergoing TPIAT between 2006 and 2023. We analyzed the differences in patients with genetic (n = 56) vs nongenetic CP etiologies (n = 181) in terms of pre-TPIAT factors including patient characteristics and disease state, results from the isolation process, and outcomes such as long-term glycemic and pain control.

RESULTS

Patients with genetic CP underwent TPIAT at a significantly younger age (32.3 vs 41.3 years nongenetic; P < .0001) and endured symptoms for a significantly longer period (10 vs 6 years; P < .01). A significantly lower mass of islets was isolated from patients with genetic CP (P < .01), which increased with body mass index in both groups. Despite lower yields, patients with genetic CP maintained metabolic function similar to patients with nongenetic CP, as indicated by insulin independence and C-peptide, blood glucose, and hemoglobin A1C levels after TPIAT. Post-transplant narcotic usage and pain scores significantly decreased compared with those before TPIAT, and more patients with genetic CP were pain free and narcotic free after TPIAT.

CONCLUSION

Our data validate TPIAT as a beneficial procedure for patients enduring CP of genetic etiology. Pain that is inevitably recurrent after minor interventions owing to the nature of the disease and favorable TPIAT outcomes should be considered in the decision to perform early TPIAT in cases of genetic CP.

A case series of fluoroscopy-guided neurolytic splanchnic nerve block for chronic pancreatitis pain

Context

Splanchnic nerve block (SPN) with local anesthetic and steroid is used to relieve the pain of chronic pancreatitis. However, it does not provide long-lasting relief. We hypothesize that the use of 70% alcohol will give adequate analgesia for more than months.

Aims

The primary objective was to find out the analgesic efficacy of the use of 70% alcohol with SPN. Secondary objectives included the incidence of side effects, analgesic consumption postintervention, quality of life (QOL) assessed via a self-reported quality of life scale, and repeat block during the 1-year follow-up period.

Settings and Design

Retrospective analysis of all patients with chronic pancreatitis who received bilateral SPN over the last 4 years.

Methods and Materials

SPN was performed using the posterior retrocrural approach with the patient in the prone position as described in the literature using a 23 G × 90 mm spinal needle bilaterally at the level of T12 using C-arm/fluoroscopy guidance. Data were collected from the procedure book of the pain clinic and medical records.

Statistical Analysis Used

Quantitative data for change in pre- to post-block VAS score was collected using the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed ranks test.

Results

The baseline VAS, post-procedure VAS, and VAS at 3 months follow-up was 7.69 ± 1.3,2.44 ± 0.96 and 1.56 ± 1.15. A pairwise comparison of VAS performed between baseline and immediate post-procedure, baseline, and VAS at 3 months was found to be highly significant.

Conclusions

Fluoroscopy-guided neurolytic SPN with 70% alcohol gives significant pain relief for more than 3 months. It also leads to improvement in 3 months QOL.

Intraportal Islet Autotransplantation Independently Improves Quality of Life After Total Pancreatectomy in Patients With Chronic Refractory Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

To determine if islet autotransplantation (IAT) independently improves the quality of life (QoL) in patients after total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TP-IAT).

BACKGROUND

TP-IAT is increasingly being used for intractable chronic pancreatitis. However, the impact of IAT on long-term islet function and QoL is unclear.

METHODS

TP-IAT patients at our center >1 year after TP-IAT with ≥1 Short Form-36 QoL measure were included. Patients were classified as insulin-independent or insulin-dependent, and as having islet graft function or failure by C-peptide. The associations of insulin use and islet graft function with QoL measures were analyzed by using a linear mixed model, accounting for time since transplant and within-person correlation.

RESULTS

Among 817 islet autograft recipients, 564 patients [median (interquartile range) age: 34 (20, 45) years, 71% female] and 2161 total QoL surveys were included. QoL data were available for >5 years after TP-IAT for 42.7% and for >10 years for 17.3%. Insulin-independent patients exhibited higher QoL in 7 of 8 subscale domains and for Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scores ( P <0.05 for all). Physical Component Summary was 2.91 (SE=0.57) higher in insulin-independent patients ( P <0.001). No differences in QoL were observed between those with and without graft function, but islet graft failure was rare (15% of patients). However, glycosylated hemoglobin was much higher with islet graft failure.

CONCLUSIONS

QoL is significantly improved when insulin independence is present, and glycosylated hemoglobin is lower with a functioning islet graft. These data support offering IAT, rather than just performing total pancreatectomy and treating with exogenous insulin.

The Role of Surgical Management in Chronic Pancreatitis in Children: A Position Paper From the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Pancreas Committee

OBJECTIVES

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is rare in childhood but impactful because of its high disease burden. There is limited literature regarding the management of CP in children, specifically about the various surgical approaches. Herein, we summarize the current pediatric and adult literature and provide recommendations for the surgical management of CP in children.

METHODS

The literature review was performed to include the scope of the problem, indications for operation, conventional surgical options as well as total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation, and outcomes following operations for CP.

RESULTS

Surgery is indicated for children with debilitating CP who have failed maximal medical and endoscopic interventions. Surgical management must be tailored to the patient's unique needs, considering the anatomy and morphology of their disease. A conventional surgical approach (eg, drainage operation, partial resection, combination drainage-resection) may be considered in the presence of significant and uniform pancreatic duct dilation or an inflammatory head mass. Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation is the best surgical option in patients with small duct disease. The presence of genetic risk factors often portends a suboptimal outcome following a conventional operation.

CONCLUSIONS

The morphology of disease and the presence of genetic risk factors must be considered while determining the optimal surgical approach for children with CP. Surgical outcomes for CP are variable and depend on the type of intervention. A multidisciplinary team approach is needed to assure that the best possible operation is selected for each patient, their recovery is optimized, and their immediate and long-term postoperative needs are well-met.

Nutritional treatment is associated with longer survival in patients with pancreatic disease and concomitant risk of malnutrition

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic diseases involve complex nutritional challenges. Despite this, conflicting evidence exists regarding the clinical relevance of detecting the risk of malnutrition and implementing systematic nutrition support for these patients. Thus, our aims were to investigate whether screening for malnutrition risk and initiating nutrition support are predictive of mortality for hospitalized patients with pancreatic diseases.

DESIGN

From 2008 to 2018, 34 prevalence surveys of nutrition were conducted at Haukeland University Hospital (HUH), Norway. Risk of malnutrition was defined by a score of ≥3 in Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002). Primary outcomes included overall, one-year, and one-month mortality, and were compared according to malnutrition risk and nutrition support for adult patients with ICD-10 codes of K85: acute pancreatitis, K86: other diseases of pancreas, and C25: malignant neoplasm of pancreas. Length of hospital stay (LOS) was included as a secondary outcome.

RESULTS

Of the 283 patients investigated, risk of malnutrition was present in 61.5%. Risk of malnutrition was associated with higher overall mortality (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-2.4, P = 0.003) and one-year mortality (HR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.2-2.9, P = 0.004) compared to patients not at risk. Not receiving nutrition support for at-risk patients was associated with higher overall mortality (HR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.1-2.4, P = 0.019) and one-year mortality (HR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.04-2.6, P = 0.034) compared to patients at risk who received nutrition support. Patients at risk of malnutrition had increased LOS (20.5 nights vs 15.2 nights, P = 0.044) compared to patients not at risk of malnutrition.

CONCLUSION

This study of hospitalized patients with pancreatic disease suggests that risk of malnutrition may be associated with higher mortality rates, whereas nutrition support may decrease mortality rates.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY

Not registered.

Effect of acetyl-L-carnitine on hypersensitivity in acute recurrent caerulein-induced pancreatitis and microglial activation along the brain’s pain circuitry

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis (AP) and recurring AP are serious health care problems causing excruciating pain and potentially lethal outcomes due to sepsis. The validated caerulein- (CAE) induced mouse model of acute/recurring AP produces secondary persistent hypersensitivity and anxiety-like behavioral changes for study.

AIM

To determine efficacy of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) to reduce pain-related behaviors and brain microglial activation along the pain circuitry in CAE-pancreatitis.

METHODS

Pancreatitis was induced with 6 hly intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of CAE (50 µg/kg), 3 d a week for 6 wk in male C57BL/6J mice. Starting in week 4, mice received either vehicle or ALC until experiment’s end. Mechanical hyper-sensitivity was assessed with von Frey filaments. Heat hypersensitivity was determined with the hotplate test. Anxiety-like behavior was tested in week 6 using elevated plus maze and open field tests. Microglial activation in brain was quantified histologically by immunostaining for ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1).

RESULTS

Mice with CAE-induced pancreatitis had significantly reduced mechanical withdrawal thresholds and heat response latencies, indicating ongoing pain. Treatment with ALC attenuated inflammation-induced hypersensitivity, but hypersensitivity due to abdominal wall injury caused by repeated intraperitoneal injections persisted. Animals with pancreatitis displayed spontaneous anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze compared to controls. Treatment with ALC resulted in increased numbers of rearing activity events, but time spent in “safety” was not changed. After all the abdominal injections, pancreata were translucent if excised at experiment’s end and opaque if excised on the subsequent day, indicative of spontaneous healing. Post mortem histopathological analysis performed on pancreas sections stained with Sirius Red and Fast Green identified wide-spread fibrosis and acinar cell atrophy in sections from mice with CAE-induced pancreatitis that was not rescued by treatment with ALC. Microglial Iba1 immunostaining was significantly increased in hippocampus, thalamus (intralaminar nuclei), hypothalamus, and amygdala of mice with CAE-induced pancreatitis compared to naïve controls but unchanged in the primary somatosensory cortex compared to naïves.

CONCLUSION

CAE-induced pancreatitis caused increased pain-related behaviors, pancreatic fibrosis, and brain microglial changes. ALC alleviated CAE-induced mechanical and heat hypersensitivity but not abdominal wall injury-induced hypersensitivity caused by the repeated injections.

Laparoscopic-assisted versus open total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation: A case-matched study of pediatric patients

BACKGROUND

Total Pancreatectomy and Islet Autotransplantation (TPIAT) are a potential treatment for children with severe, refractory chronic pancreatitis. A laparoscopic-assisted approach provides a smaller incision and excellent visualization of the distal pancreas and spleen during resection. A minimally-invasive approach has proven advantageous for other pediatric procedures, but its value is unknown for this rare operation. This retrospective review compares outcomes between patients undergoing laparoscopic-assisted versus open TPIAT.

STUDY DESIGN

Children (n = 21) receiving laparoscopic-assisted TPIAT from 2013 to 2015 and children (n = 21) receiving open TPIAT from 2011 to 2015 were matched based on age, gender, symptom duration, previous interventions, and pancreatic fibrosis scores. Data reviewed included postoperative complications, operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), intraoperative blood transfusions, number of islet equivalents (IEQ)/kg transplanted, hospital length-of-stay, graft function, narcotic use, and Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire scores. Between-group differences were compared using Fisher's exact, Chi-square, and T-tests.

RESULTS

Surgical complications were similar between surgical groups (p = 0.35) and included wound complications (n = 11), chyle leak (n = 7), bowel obstruction (n = 5), bile leak (n = 3), gastrointestinal bleed (n = 2), and pneumonia (n = 1). There were no significant differences in operative time (p = 0.18), EBL (p = 0.96), blood transfusions (p = 0.34), IEQ/kg transplanted (p = 0.15), and hospital length-of-stay (p = 0.66). Insulin and opioid use was similar except for a slightly higher use of opioids (n = 4) at 2 years in the laparoscopic group. Patient surgical scar satisfaction was similar between groups (p = 0.26).

CONCLUSIONS

Outcomes for laparoscopic-assisted TPIAT appear comparable to open TPIAT. In children, a minimally-invasive approach does not compromise safety, effectiveness, or operative efficiency and may be used based on surgeon and patient preference.

Identifying Factors Predicting Response to Endoscopic Management of Chronic Pancreatitis Secondary to Pancreas Divisum

INTRODUCTION

Appropriately selecting patients with chronic pancreatitis associated with pancreas divisum (PD) for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-based therapy versus surgery remains difficult. The objective of this study was to identify factors that predict success or failure of ERCP for treatment of chronic pancreatitis in PD.

METHODS

Patients undergoing ERCP for a diagnosis of PD and pancreatitis between 2008 and 2016 were identified and grouped according to whether they required one or two ERCPs or three or more ERCPs. Groups were compared along demographic, diagnostic, laboratory, ERCP-related, and outcome variables.

RESULTS

Patients requiring 1-2 ERCPs were less likely to have back pain on initial presentation (4 vs. 24%, p = 0.02) and less likely to have a dilated bile duct on imaging prior to their first ERCP (8 vs. 30%, p = 0.04) than those requiring 3+ ERCPs. Patients requiring 1-2 ERCPs were also less likely to eventually require operative intervention for treatment of their chronic pancreatitis than those requiring 3+ ERCPs (24 vs. 44%, p = 0.047). On multivariable analysis, a dilated bile duct (odds ratio (OR) = 6.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-36.0, p = 0.048) was independently associated with requiring 3+ ERCPs. Back pain (OR = 6.3, 95% CI = 0.73-54.2, p = 0.09) trended toward but did not reach statistical significance for being independently associated with requiring 3+ ERCPs.

CONCLUSIONS

The success of endoscopic treatment of chronic pancreatitis in patients with PD is dependent on proper patient selection. Patients with a dilated bile duct and back pain upon presentation may not respond well to endoscopic treatment alone and are more likely to eventually require operative intervention. Consideration should be given to early operative intervention in these patients.

Factors Associated With Frequent Opioid Use in Children With Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to understand the association of frequent opioid use with disease phenotype and pain pattern and burden in children and adolescents with acute recurrent (ARP) or chronic pancreatitis (CP).

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of children <19 years with ARP or CP, at enrollment into the INSPPIRE cohort. We categorized patients as opioid "frequent use" (daily/weekly) or "nonfrequent use" (monthly or less, or no opioids), based on patient and parent self-report.

RESULTS

Of 427 children with ARP or CP, 17% reported frequent opioid use. More children with CP (65%) reported frequent opioid use than with ARP (41%, P = 0.0002). In multivariate analysis, frequent opioid use was associated with older age at diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 1.67 per 5 years, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-2.47, P = 0.01), exocrine insufficiency (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.13-5.24, P = 0.02), constant/severe pain (OR 4.14, 95% CI 2.06-8.34, P < 0.0001), and higher average pain impact score across all 6 functional domains (OR 1.62 per 1-point increase, 95% CI 1.28-2.06, P < 0.0001). Children with frequent opioid use also reported more missed school days, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits in the past year than children with no frequent use (P < 0.0002 for each). Participants in the US West and Midwest accounted for 83% of frequent opioid users but only 56% of the total cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

In children with CP or ARP, frequent opioid use is associated with constant pain, more healthcare use, and higher levels of pain interference with functioning. Longitudinal and prospective research is needed to identify risk factors for frequent opioid use and to evaluate nonopioid interventions for reducing pain and disability in these children.

Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation of the glandular parenchyma of the retroperitoneal organ that leads to injury with or without subsequent destruction of the pancreatic acini. This inflammatory process can either result in a self-limited disease or involve life-threatening multiorgan complications. Chronic pancreatitis consists of endocrine and exocrine gland dysfunction that develops secondary to progressive inflammation and chronic fibrosis of the pancreatic acini with permanent structural damage. Recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis can result in chronic pancreatitis; acute and chronic pancreatitis are different diseases with separate morphologic patterns. Acute pancreatitis has an increasing incidence but a decreasing mortality.

The Practical Management of Chronic Pancreatitis: A Multidisciplinary Symposium Held at the Annual Meeting of the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, Manchester 2016

AIM

This study is about a questionnaire survey of delegates attending the chronic pancreatitis symposium at the 2016 meeting of the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland and seeks a multidisciplinary "snapshot" overview of practice.

METHODS

A questionnaire was developed with multidisciplinary input. Questions on access to specialist care, methods of diagnosis and treatment including specific scenarios were incorporated. Eighty-three (66%) of 125 delegates effectively participated in this survey.

RESULTS

Twenty-four (29%) had neither a chronic pancreatitis MDT in their hospital nor a chronic pancreatitis referral MDT. Most frequently utilised diagnostic modalities were CT, MR and EUS with no respondents utilising duodenal intubation tests. Initial treatment was provided through non-opiate analgesia by 69 (93%), through the use of opiates by 56 (76%) and through the use of co-analgesics by 49 (66%). Fifty two (68%) routinely referred patients with alcohol-related disease for counselling. Preferred treatment for large duct disease without mass was endoscopic therapy. In older patients with a mass, pancreaticoduodenectomy was preferred.

CONCLUSION

This is a small study likely to be skewed by sampling bias but is thought to be the first multidisciplinary survey of the management of chronic pancreatitis in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The results show a need for comprehensive access to specialist pancreatitis MDT care and there remains substantial variation in management.

A Novel Method for Pain Relief in Chronic Pancreatitis: an Old Drug in a New Pack: a Controlled Study

Most of pain-relieving agents in chronic pancreatitis are nonspecific and unpredictable. Omeprazole induces hypergastrinemia due to reduced gastric acidity. Raised serum gastrin, in turn, modulates to reduce secretin level. Secretin is responsible for secretion of almost 80 % bicarbonate-rich pancreatic juice from the ductular epithelium without affecting enzyme output. It is a prospective randomized study in patients with CT-confirmed chronic pancreatitis. The control group got the standard care and 60 mg of omeprazole twice daily was added to the test group. Absence of pain relief at 14 days was considered as failure. Pain relief, weight gain and any toxic effect of omeprazole were reviewed at 12 months. One hundred thirty-seven cases were included, with an age range of 19 to 72 years. (mean 42.67). The majority of them were alcoholic males. At 2 weeks, pain relief was noted in 47/69(68.1 %) and 63/65(96.96 %) in the control and omeprazole group, respectively. At the end of 1 year, the omeprazole group had greater weight gain (95 %) than the control group (69.5 %). All the pseudocysts in the omeprazole group and most in the control group resolved. No side effect of omeprazole was seen. The high-dose omeprazole (HDO) group of patients had significantly better pain relief in chronic pancreatitis than those treated with conventional therapy. A high number of cases gained weight in the HDO group than the controlled group. No patient had clinical, endoscopic, biochemical, or haematological toxicity of HDO. More studies are necessary.

Total Pancreatectomy With Islet Autotransplantation for Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The first total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TP-IAT) was performed for chronic pancreatitis in 1977 with the goal to ameliorate the pain and simultaneously preserve islet function. We reviewed the recent medical literature regarding indications, patient suitability, current outcomes, and challenges in TP-IAT.

RECENT FINDINGS

Current indications for TP-IAT include intractable pain secondary to chronic pancreatitis (CP) or acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) with failed medical and endoscopic/surgical management. Independent studies have shown that TP-IAT is associated with elimination or significant improvement in pain control and partial or full islet graft function in the majority of patients. In single-center cost analyses, TP-IAT has been suggested to be more cost-effective than medical management of chronic pancreatitis. While initially introduced as a surgical option for adults with long-standing chronic pancreatitis, TP-IAT is now often utilized in children with chronic pancreatitis and in children and adults with intractable acute recurrent pancreatitis. The surgical procedure has evolved over time with some centers offering minimally invasive operative options, although the open approach remains the standard. Despite many advances in TP-IAT, there is a need for further research and development in disease diagnosis, patient selection, optimization of surgical technique, islet isolation and quality assessment, postoperative patient management, and establishment of uniform metrics for data collection and multicenter studies. TP-IAT is an option for patients with otherwise intractable acute recurrent or chronic pancreatitis which presents potential for pain relief and improved quality of life, often with partial or complete diabetes remission.

Operative management of chronic pancreatitis: A review

BACKGROUND

Pain secondary to chronic pancreatitis is a difficult clinical problem to manage. Many patients are treated medically or undergo endoscopic therapy and surgical intervention is often reserved for those who have failed to gain adequate pain relief from a more conservative approach.

RESULTS

There have been a number of advances in the operative management of chronic pancreatitis over the last few decades and current therapies include drainage procedures (pancreaticojejunostomy, etc.), resection (pancreticoduodenectomy, etc.) and combined drainage/resection procedures (Frey procedure, etc.). Additionally, many centers currently perform total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation, in addition to minimally invasive options that are intended to tailor therapy to individual patients.

DISCUSSION

Operative management of chronic pancreatitis often improves quality of life, and is associated with low rates of morbidity and mortality. The decision as to which procedure is optimal for each patient should be based on a combination of pathologic changes, prior interventions, and individual surgeon and center experience.

Total Pancreatectomy With Islet Autotransplantation Resolves Pain in Young Children With Severe Chronic Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

Fear of diabetes and major surgery may prohibit referral of young children severely affected by pancreatitis for total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplant (TPIAT). We evaluated outcomes in our youngest TPIAT recipients, 3 to 8 years of age at surgery.

METHODS

Medical records were reviewed for 17 children (9 girls) ages 8 years or younger undergoing TPIAT from 2000 to 2014. Most (14/17) had genetic risk factors for pancreatitis. Since 2006, TPIAT recipients were followed prospectively with health questionnaires including assessments of pain and narcotic use, and scheduled hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and mixed-meal tolerance tests (6 mL/kg Boost HP) before surgery, and at regular intervals after. Patients are 1 to 11 years post-TPIAT (median 2.2 years). Data are reported as median (25th, 75th percentile).

RESULTS

All had relief of pain, with all 17 patients off narcotics at most recent follow-up. Hospitalization rates decreased from 5.0 hospitalization episodes per person-year of follow-up before TPIAT, to 0.35 episodes per person-year of follow-up after TPIAT. Fourteen (82%) discontinued insulin, higher than the observed insulin independence rate of 41% in 399 patients older than 8 years of age undergoing TPIAT over the same interval (P = 0.004). Median post-TPIAT HbA1c was 5.9% (5.6%, 6.3%), and within patient post-TPIAT mean HbA1c was ≤6.5% for all but 2 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Young children with severe refractory chronic pancreatitis may be good candidates for TPIAT, with high rates of pain relief and insulin independence, and excellent glycemic control in the majority.

Comparative Efficacy of Bilateral Thoracoscopic Splanchnicectomy for Intractable Pain Secondary to Pancreatic Cancer vs Chronic Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Splanchnicectomy has been evaluated for treatment of chronic pain in both pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis patients, although its efficacy has not been compared in these 2 patient populations. This study aimed to compare bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy in treatment of abdominal pain secondary with pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis.

STUDY DESIGN

A University of Louisville database was evaluated from July 1998 to March 2016 for patients undergoing bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy for intractable pain secondary to pancreatic cancer (n = 48) or chronic pancreatitis (n = 75). Patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively with regard to abdominal pain and related symptoms, narcotic analgesic requirements, and hospital admissions. Narcotic use was quantified using the Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting system.

RESULTS

After bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy, 28% of pancreatic cancer patients continued to experience abdominal pain compared with 57% of chronic pancreatitis patients. Daily narcotic dose decreased for 74% of pancreatic cancer compared with 32% of chronic pancreatitis patients (p < 0.001). Sixty-seven percent of pancreatic cancer patients discontinued pain medications completely compared with 14% of chronic pancreatitis patients (p < 0.001). Hospitalizations decreased significantly in both groups (p < 0.001; p = 0.001), although mean number of postoperative hospitalizations was lower for pancreatic cancer (0.5) compared with chronic pancreatitis patients (2.80) (p < 0.001). Mean follow-up was significantly shorter for pancreatic cancer patients than for chronic pancreatitis patients (8 months vs 32 months; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy safely, effectively, and durably relieves abdominal pain in patients with both pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis. However, it is more effective in providing pain relief and preventing pain-related hospitalizations in patients with pancreatic cancer compared with those with chronic pancreatitis.

Management of pain in chronic pancreatitis with emphasis on exogenous pancreatic enzymes

One of the most challenging issues arising in patients with chronic pancreatitis is the management of abdominal pain. Many competing theories exist to explain pancreatic pain including ductal hypertension from strictures and stones, increased interstitial pressure from glandular fibrosis, pancreatic neuritis, and ischemia. This clinical problem is superimposed on a background of reduced enzyme secretion and altered feedback mechanisms. Throughout history, investigators have used these theories to devise methods to combat chronic pancreatic pain including: Lifestyle measures, antioxidants, analgesics, administration of exogenous pancreatic enzymes, endoscopic drainage procedures, and surgical drainage and resection procedures. While the value of each modality has been debated over the years, pancreatic enzyme therapy remains a viable option. Enzyme therapy restores active enzymes to the small bowel and targets the altered feedback mechanism that lead to increased pancreatic ductal and tissue pressures, ischemia, and pain. Here, we review the mechanisms and treatments for chronic pancreatic pain with a specific focus on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. We also discuss different approaches to overcoming a lack of clinical response update ideas for studies needed to improve the clinical use of pancreatic enzymes to ameliorate pancreatic pain.

Total pancreatectomy with islet cell transplantation vs intrathecal narcotic pump infusion for pain control in chronic pancreatitis

AIM: To evaluate pain control in chronic pancreatitis patients who underwent total pancreatectomy with islet cell transplantation or intrathecal narcotic pump infusion.

METHODS: We recognized 13 patients who underwent intrathecal narcotic pump (ITNP) infusion and 57 patients who underwent total pancreatectomy with autologous islet cell transplantation (TP + ICT) for chronic pancreatitis (CP) pain control between 1998 and 2008 at Indiana University Hospital. All patients had already failed multiple other modalities for pain control and the decision to proceed with either intervention was made at the discretion of the patients and their treating physicians. All patients were evaluated retrospectively using a questionnaire inquiring about their pain control (using a 0-10 pain scale), daily narcotic dose usage, and hospital admission days for pain control before each intervention and during their last follow-up.

RESULTS: All 13 ITNP patients and 30 available TP + ICT patients were evaluated. The mean age was approximately 40 years in both groups. The median duration of pain before intervention was 6 years and 7 years in the ITNP and TP + ICT groups, respectively. The median pain score dropped from 8 to 2.5 (on a scale of 0-10) in both groups on their last follow up. The median daily dose of narcotics also decreased from 393 mg equivalent of morphine sulfate to 8 mg in the ITNP group and from 300 mg to 40 mg in the TP + ICT group. No patient had diabetes mellitus (DM) before either procedure whereas 85% of those who underwent pancreatectomy were insulin dependent on their last evaluation despite ICT.

CONCLUSION: ITNP and TP + ICT are comparable for pain control in patients with CP however with high incidence of DM among those who underwent TP + ICT. Prospective comparative studies and longer follow up are needed to better define treatment outcomes.

Chronic Pancreatitis: A Review

This is to incorporate the recent trends in chronic pancreatitis. Extensive literature search was done from Pubmed and Ovid SP. Full text articles and abstracts related to chronic pancreatitis were reviewed and the article was prepared. Chronic pancreatitis is evolving fast on its etiology and treatment areas. The main etiological factors are pointing towards genetic, alcohol, and smoking. Autoimmune has also been added as a cause. Endoscopic ultra sound (EUS) becoming the standard diagnostic procedure. Surgery is becoming the treatment of choice for pain and mechanical complications and not the endotherapy in the long-term follow-up. The numbers of surgeries are getting narrowed down. The two etiological groups of chronic pancreatitis namely alcohol + smoking and genetic getting clearer, where the later group present at an early age. Endoscopic ultrasound and imaging with secretin is diagnostic of chronic pancreatitis before the structural changes. Endotherapy is found to be inferior to surgery in long-term pain relief. Diagnostic criteria for autoimmune pancreatitis are established. Pancreaticogenic diabetes (Type3c) and its problem associated with fat malabsorption are being understood.

Pharmacokinetics of paracetamol in patients with chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive, irreversible disease causing damage of the gland. Abdominal pains are a typical symptom of pancreatitis both in the chronic and acute form. Paracetamol is one of analgesics used for treating mild or moderate pain. Functional and anatomical changes in the gastrointestinal tract caused by pancreatitis may influence on the pharmacokinetics of administered drugs.

METHODS

In the present study we analysed the pharmacokinetics of paracetamol after oral and intravenous administration to patients with CP. The patients were allocated to one of the two groups of the drug under study: I iv, intravenous administration of paracetamol 1000mg (n=17; mean [SD] age, 46.18 [13.78] years; and BMI, 22.03 [2.62]kg/m(2)) and II po, oral administration of paracetamol 1000mg (n=17; mean [SD] age, 48.29 [10.08] years; and BMI, 22.50 [2.92]kg/m(2). The plasma concentrations of paracetamol and its metabolite (glucuronide) were measured with the validated high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with ultraviolet (UV) detection.

RESULTS

The main pharmacokinetic parameters for paracetamol after iv and po administration to patients with CP were as follows: Cmax, 19.00 [4.50] and Cmax, 9.26 [3.35]μg/ml; AUC0-t, 42.37 [13.92] and 36.68 [11.7]μg×h/mL, respectively. After iv and po administration the AUC ratio between the metabolite (glucuronide) and paracetamol was enhanced.

CONCLUSIONS

The research findings revealed that patients with chronic pancreatitis had lower concentrations of paracetamol. Therefore, it may be necessary to apply additional analgesic therapy. Moreover, we observed enhanced glucuronidation in our patients.

[Nutritional status in patients with chronic pancreatitis]

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas, accompanied by damage to the functioning parenchyma and ducts to develop irreversible structural changes (fibrosis, calcification) and irreparable loss of the endocrine and exocrine functions of this organ. Maldigestion is a typical outcome of CP of any etiology with a long-term history. Fat malabsorption is considered as a basis for malnutrition in patients with CP. The severity of malnutrition in patients with CP correlates with three major pathogenetic factors: primary nutrient deficiency, pancreatic maldigestion and secondary malabsorption syndrome (nutrient loss), hypermetabolism that is caused by an inflammatory process in the pancreas and that determines the severity of the disease. Malnutrition in patients with CP is not just a complication of this disease, but has an important impact on its course. Patients with severe malnutrition are noted to have the significantly lower activity of pancreatic enzymes in the duodenal contents, feces, and blood, which is correlated with the smaller blood amount of total protein and albumin.

Antioxidants for pain in chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Reduced intake and absorption of antioxidants due to pain and malabsorption are probable causes of the lower levels of antioxidants observed in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Improving the status of antioxidants might be effective in slowing the disease process and reducing pain in CP.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and harms of antioxidants for the treatment of pain in patients with CP.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Conference Proceedings Citation Index from inception to October 2012. Two review authors performed the selection of trials independently.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating antioxidants for treatment of pain in CP. All trials were included irrespective of blinding, numbers of participants randomly assigned and language of the article.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors extracted data independently. The risk of bias of included trials was assessed. Study authors were asked for additional information in the case of missing data.

MAIN RESULTS

Twelve RCTs with a total of 585 participants were included. Six trials were double-blinded, placebo-controlled studies, and the other six trials were of less adequate methodology. Most trials were small and had high rates of dropout. Eleven of the 12 included trials described the effects of antioxidants on chronic abdominal pain in chronic pancreatitis. Pain as measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS, scale range 0 to 10) after one to six months was less in the antioxidant group than in the control group (mean difference (MD) -0.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.64 to -0.02, P value 0.04, moderate-quality evidence). The number of pain-free participants was not statistically significantly different (risk ratio (RR) 1.73, 95% CI 0.95 to 3.15, P value 0.07, low-quality evidence). More adverse events were observed in the antioxidant group, both in the parallel trials (RR 4.43, 95% CI 1.60 to 12.29, P value 0.0004, moderate-quality evidence) and in the cross-over trials (RR 5.80, 95% CI 1.56 to 21.53, P value 0.0009, moderate-quality evidence). Adverse events occurred in 16% of participants and were mostly mild (e.g. headache, gastrointestinal complaints), but were sufficient to make participants stop antioxidant use. Other important outcomes such as use of analgesics, exacerbation of pancreatitis and quality of life were rarely reported. One trial from 1991 evaluated the effects of antioxidants on acute pain during exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis and found that a significantly higher proportion of participants in the antioxidant group experienced pain relief. This trial was conducted more than 25 years ago and has not been reproduced since that time. Therefore, additional trials are needed before reliable conclusions can be drawn.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence shows that antioxidants can reduce pain slightly in patients with chronic pancreatitis. The clinical relevance of this small reduction is uncertain, and more evidence is needed. Adverse events in one of six patients may prevent the use of antioxidants. Effects of antioxidants on other outcome measures, such as use of analgesics, exacerbation of pancreatitis and quality of life remain uncertain because reliable data are not available.

Total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation in children for chronic pancreatitis: indication, surgical techniques, postoperative management, and long-term outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Describe the surgical technique, complications, and long-term outcomes of total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TP-IAT) in a large series of pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND

Surgical management of childhood pancreatitis is not clear; partial resection or drainage procedures often provide transient pain relief, but long-term recurrence is common due to the diffuse involvement of the pancreas. Total pancreatectomy (TP) removes the source of the pain, whereas islet autotransplantation (IAT) potentially can prevent or minimize TP-related diabetes.

METHODS

Retrospective review of 75 children undergoing TP-IAT for chronic pancreatitis who had failed medical, endoscopic, or surgical treatment between 1989 and 2012.

RESULTS

Pancreatitis pain and the severity of pain statistically improved in 90% of patients after TP-IAT (P < 0.001). The relief from narcotics was sustained. Of the 75 patients undergoing TP-IAT, 31 (41.3%) achieved insulin independence. Younger age (P = 0.032), lack of prior Puestow procedure (P = 0.018), lower body surface area (P = 0.048), higher islet equivalents (IEQ) per kilogram body weight (P = 0.001), and total IEQ (100,000) (P = 0.004) were associated with insulin independence. By multivariate analysis, 3 factors were associated with insulin independence after TP-IAT: (1) male sex, (2) lower body surface area, and (3) higher total IEQ per kilogram body weight. Total IEQ (100,000) was the single factor most strongly associated with insulin independence (odds ratio = 2.62; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation provides sustained pain relief and improved quality of life. The β-cell function is dependent on islet yield. Total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation is an effective therapy for children with painful pancreatitis that failed medical and/or endoscopic management.

Effects of oral ingestion of the elemental diet in patients with painful chronic pancreatitis in the real-life setting in Japan

OBJECTIVE

Most patients with chronic pancreatitis develop intractable abdominal pain and malnutrition. A low-fat diet is one of the options used to manage intractable abdominal pain and malnutrition. However, few reports have examined the pain-suppression effect. To investigate the effects of oral ingestion of a low-fat elemental diet composed of purified amino acids on pain and nutritional status in patients with chronic pancreatitis, a multicenter prospective study was conducted.

METHODS

Patients with chronic pancreatitis with symptoms of abdominal pain were enrolled. In addition to meals, patients ingested a low-fat elemental diet composed of purified amino acids for 12 weeks. Before and after treatment, patients were asked to indicate their pain grade using a 100-mm horizontal visual analog scale, and nutritional indices, including body mass index and blood levels of pancreatic enzymes, were measured.

RESULTS

A total of 596 patients were eligible for analysis. Marked pain reduction was observed with a significant decrease of the mean visual analog scale score by 32.9 mm from 52.9 mm after 12 weeks (P < 0.001). There were also significant improvements in nutritional indices.

CONCLUSIONS

An oral low-fat elemental diet composed of purified amino acids, which requires no special treatment procedures, may improve patients' quality of life.

Long-term outcomes of total pancreatectomy and islet auto transplantation for hereditary/genetic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Chronic pancreatitis is a debilitating disease resulting from many causes. The subset with hereditary/genetic pancreatitis (HGP) not only has chronic pain, but also an increased risk for pancreatic cancer. Long-term outcomes of total pancreatectomy (TP) and islet autogeneic transplantation (IAT) for chronic pancreatitis due to HGP are not clear.

STUDY DESIGN

We reviewed a prospectively maintained database of 484 TP-IATs from 1977 to 2012 at a single center. The outcomes (eg, pain relief, narcotic use, β-cell function, health-related quality of life measures) of patients who received TP-IAT for HGP (protease trypsin 1, n = 38; serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1, n = 9; cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, n = 14; and familial, n = 19) were evaluated and compared with those with non-hereditary/nongenetic causes.

RESULTS

All 80 patients with HGP were narcotic dependent and failed endoscopic management or direct pancreatic surgery. Post TP-IAT, 90% of the patients were pancreatitis pain free with sustained pain relief; >65% had partial or full β-cell function. Compared with nonhereditary causes, HGP patients were younger (22 years old vs 38 years old; p ≤ 0.001), had pancreatitis pain of longer duration (11.6 ± 1.1 years vs 9.0 ± 0.4 years; p = 0.016), had a higher pancreas fibrosis score (7 ± 0.2 vs 4.8 ± 0.1; p ≤ 0.001), and trended toward lower islet yield (3,435 ± 361 islet cell equivalent vs 3,850 ± 128 islet cell equivalent; p = 0.28). Using multivariate logistic regression, patients with non-HGP causes (p = 0.019); lower severity of pancreas fibrosis (p < 0.001); shorter duration of years with pancreatitis (p = 0.008); and higher transplant islet cell equivalent per kilogram body weight (p ≤ 0.001) were more likely to achieve insulin independence (p < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in health-related quality of life from baseline by RAND 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and in physical and mental component health-related quality of life scores (p < 0.001). None of the patients in the entire cohort had cancer of pancreatic origin in the liver or elsewhere develop during 2,936 person-years of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Total pancreatectomy and IAT in patients with chronic pancreatitis due to HGP cause provide long-term pain relief (90%) and preservation of β-cell function. Patients with chronic painful pancreatitis due to HGP with a high lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer should be considered earlier for TP-IAT before pancreatic inflammation results in a higher degree of pancreatic fibrosis and islet cell function loss.

Long-term outcomes of total pancreatectomy and islet auto transplantation for hereditary/genetic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Chronic pancreatitis is a debilitating disease resulting from many causes. The subset with hereditary/genetic pancreatitis (HGP) not only has chronic pain, but also an increased risk for pancreatic cancer. Long-term outcomes of total pancreatectomy (TP) and islet autogeneic transplantation (IAT) for chronic pancreatitis due to HGP are not clear.

STUDY DESIGN

We reviewed a prospectively maintained database of 484 TP-IATs from 1977 to 2012 at a single center. The outcomes (eg, pain relief, narcotic use, β-cell function, health-related quality of life measures) of patients who received TP-IAT for HGP (protease trypsin 1, n = 38; serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1, n = 9; cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, n = 14; and familial, n = 19) were evaluated and compared with those with non-hereditary/nongenetic causes.

RESULTS

All 80 patients with HGP were narcotic dependent and failed endoscopic management or direct pancreatic surgery. Post TP-IAT, 90% of the patients were pancreatitis pain free with sustained pain relief; >65% had partial or full β-cell function. Compared with nonhereditary causes, HGP patients were younger (22 years old vs 38 years old; p ≤ 0.001), had pancreatitis pain of longer duration (11.6 ± 1.1 years vs 9.0 ± 0.4 years; p = 0.016), had a higher pancreas fibrosis score (7 ± 0.2 vs 4.8 ± 0.1; p ≤ 0.001), and trended toward lower islet yield (3,435 ± 361 islet cell equivalent vs 3,850 ± 128 islet cell equivalent; p = 0.28). Using multivariate logistic regression, patients with non-HGP causes (p = 0.019); lower severity of pancreas fibrosis (p < 0.001); shorter duration of years with pancreatitis (p = 0.008); and higher transplant islet cell equivalent per kilogram body weight (p ≤ 0.001) were more likely to achieve insulin independence (p < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in health-related quality of life from baseline by RAND 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and in physical and mental component health-related quality of life scores (p < 0.001). None of the patients in the entire cohort had cancer of pancreatic origin in the liver or elsewhere develop during 2,936 person-years of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Total pancreatectomy and IAT in patients with chronic pancreatitis due to HGP cause provide long-term pain relief (90%) and preservation of β-cell function. Patients with chronic painful pancreatitis due to HGP with a high lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer should be considered earlier for TP-IAT before pancreatic inflammation results in a higher degree of pancreatic fibrosis and islet cell function loss.

Endoscopic management of chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a common gastrointestinal illness, which affects the quality of life with substantial morbidity and mortality. The management includes medical, endoscopic and surgical approaches with the need for interaction between various specialties, calling for a concerted multidisciplinary approach. However, at the time of this publication, guidelines to establish care of these patients are lacking. This review provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the studies summarizing the various treatment options available, including medical, surgical and endoscopic options. In addition, technological advances such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogrophy, endoscopic shock wave lithotripsy and endoscopic ultrasound can now be offered with reasonable success for pancreatic decompression, stricture dilatation with stent placement, stone fragmentation, pseudocyst drainage, and other endoscopic interventions such as celiac plexus block for pain relief. We emphasize the endoscopic options in this review, and attempt to extract the most up to date information from the current literature. The treatment of CP and its complications are discussed extensively. Complications such as biliary strictures. pancreatic pseudocysts, and chronic pain are common issues that arise as long-term complications of CP. These often require endoscopic or surgical management and possibly a combination of approaches, however choosing amongst the various therapeutic and palliative modalities while weighing the risks and benefits, makes the management of CP challenging. Treatment goals should be not just to control symptoms but also to prevent disease progression. Our aim in this paper is to advocate and emphasize an evidence based approach for the management of CP and associated long term complications.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of the splanchnic nerves in patients with chronic pancreatitis: results of single and repeated procedures in 11 patients

BACKGROUND

Pain is a major problem for chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients. Unfortunately, medical therapy often fails. Endoscopic and surgical treatments are invasive, and results vary. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of the splanchnic nerves (RFSN) is a relatively new and minimally invasive procedure for treatment of intractable pain in CP patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 18 RFSN procedures in 11 CP patients, all refractory to analgesics. Five patients underwent a second procedure; two patients underwent a third procedure. NRS pain scores were assessed. Complications, analgesics usage, and length of the pain-free period were recorded.

RESULTS

Radiofrequency ablation of the splanchnic nerves was effective in 15/18 interventions. The mean NRS pain score decreased from 7.7 ± 1.0 to 2.8 ± 2.7 (P ≤ 0.001). The pain-free period lasted for a median period of 45 weeks. The effect of repeated interventions was comparable to the initial procedure. One transient side effect was reported. Four patients reported significantly reduced analgesic usage; 4 patients completely stopped their pain medication.

CONCLUSION

Radiofrequency ablation of the splanchnic nerves is a minimally invasive, effective procedure for pain relief. After the effect has subsided, RFSN can be successfully repeated. RFSN might become an alternative treatment in a selected group of CP patients. A larger, randomized trial is justified to substantiate these findings.

Depressive Symptoms, Pain, and Quality of Life among Patients with Nonalcohol-Related Chronic Pancreatitis

Objective. The present study was conducted to determine if depressive symptoms were associated with variability in pain perception and quality of life among patients with nonalcohol-related chronic pancreatitis. Methods. The research design was cross-sectional, and self-report data was collected from 692 patients with nonalcohol-related, intractable pancreatitis. The mean age of the sample was 52.6 (SD = 14.7); 41% of the sample were male. Participants completed the MOS SF12 Quality of Life Measure, the Center for Epidemiological Studies 10-item Depression Scale (CESD), and a numeric rating scale measure of “pain on average” from the Brief Pain Inventory. Results. Depressive symptoms were significantly related to participants' reports of increased pain and decreased quality of life. The mean CESD score of the sample was 10.6 (SD = 6.5) and 52% of the sample scored above the clinical cutoff for the presence of significant depressive symptomology. Patients scoring above the clinical cutoff on the depression screening measure rated their pain as significantly higher than those below the cutoff (P < 0.0001) and had significantly lower physical quality of life (P < 0.0001) and lower mental quality of life (P < 0.0001). Conclusion. Although causality cannot be determined based on cross-sectional, correlational data, findings suggest that among patients with nonalcoholic pancreatitis, the presence of depressive symptoms is common and may be a risk factor associated with increased pain and decreased quality of life. Thus, routine screening for depressive symptomology among patients with nonalcoholic pancreatitis may be warranted.

Total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation for chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Total pancreatectomy (TP) with intraportal islet autotransplantation (IAT) can relieve pain and preserve β-cell mass in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) when other therapies fail. We report on a >30-year single-center series.

STUDY DESIGN

Four hundred and nine patients (including 53 children, 5 to 18 years) with CP underwent TP-IAT from February 1977 to September 2011 (etiology: idiopathic, 41%; Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction/biliary, 9%; genetic, 14%; divisum, 17%; alcohol, 7%; and other, 12%; mean age was 35.3 years, 74% were female; 21% has earlier operations, including 9% Puestow procedure, 6% Whipple, 7% distal pancreatectomy, and 2% other). Islet function was classified as insulin independent for those on no insulin; partial, if known C-peptide positive or euglycemic on once-daily insulin; and insulin dependent if on standard basal-bolus diabetic regimen. A 36-item Short Form (SF-36) survey for quality of life was completed by patients before and in serial follow-up since 2007, with an integrated survey that was added in 2008.

RESULTS

Actuarial patient survival post TP-IAT was 96% in adults and 98% in children (1 year) and 89% and 98% (5 years). Complications requiring relaparotomy occurred in 15.9% and bleeding (9.5%) was the most common complication. IAT function was achieved in 90% (C-peptide >0.6 ng/mL). At 3 years, 30% were insulin independent (25% in adults, 55% in children) and 33% had partial function. Mean hemoglobin A1c was <7.0% in 82%. Earlier pancreas surgery lowered islet yield (2,712 vs 4,077/kg; p = 0.003). Islet yield (<2,500/kg [36%]; 2,501 to 5,000/kg [39%]; >5,000/kg [24%]) correlated with degree of function with insulin-independent rates at 3 years of 12%, 22%, and 72%, and rates of partial function 33%, 62%, and 24%. All patients had pain before TP-IAT and nearly all were on daily narcotics. After TP-IAT, 85% had pain improvement. By 2 years, 59% had ceased narcotics. All children were on narcotics before, 39% at follow-up; pain improved in 94%; and 67% became pain-free. In the SF-36 survey, there was significant improvement from baseline in all dimensions, including the Physical and Mental Component Summaries (p < 0.01), whether on narcotics or not.

CONCLUSIONS

TP can ameliorate pain and improve quality of life in otherwise refractory CP patients, even if narcotic withdrawal is delayed or incomplete because of earlier long-term use. IAT preserves meaningful islet function in most patients and substantial islet function in more than two thirds of patients, with insulin independence occurring in one quarter of adults and half the children.

Total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation for chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Total pancreatectomy (TP) with intraportal islet autotransplantation (IAT) can relieve pain and preserve β-cell mass in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) when other therapies fail. We report on a >30-year single-center series.

STUDY DESIGN

Four hundred and nine patients (including 53 children, 5 to 18 years) with CP underwent TP-IAT from February 1977 to September 2011 (etiology: idiopathic, 41%; Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction/biliary, 9%; genetic, 14%; divisum, 17%; alcohol, 7%; and other, 12%; mean age was 35.3 years, 74% were female; 21% has earlier operations, including 9% Puestow procedure, 6% Whipple, 7% distal pancreatectomy, and 2% other). Islet function was classified as insulin independent for those on no insulin; partial, if known C-peptide positive or euglycemic on once-daily insulin; and insulin dependent if on standard basal-bolus diabetic regimen. A 36-item Short Form (SF-36) survey for quality of life was completed by patients before and in serial follow-up since 2007, with an integrated survey that was added in 2008.

RESULTS

Actuarial patient survival post TP-IAT was 96% in adults and 98% in children (1 year) and 89% and 98% (5 years). Complications requiring relaparotomy occurred in 15.9% and bleeding (9.5%) was the most common complication. IAT function was achieved in 90% (C-peptide >0.6 ng/mL). At 3 years, 30% were insulin independent (25% in adults, 55% in children) and 33% had partial function. Mean hemoglobin A1c was <7.0% in 82%. Earlier pancreas surgery lowered islet yield (2,712 vs 4,077/kg; p = 0.003). Islet yield (<2,500/kg [36%]; 2,501 to 5,000/kg [39%]; >5,000/kg [24%]) correlated with degree of function with insulin-independent rates at 3 years of 12%, 22%, and 72%, and rates of partial function 33%, 62%, and 24%. All patients had pain before TP-IAT and nearly all were on daily narcotics. After TP-IAT, 85% had pain improvement. By 2 years, 59% had ceased narcotics. All children were on narcotics before, 39% at follow-up; pain improved in 94%; and 67% became pain-free. In the SF-36 survey, there was significant improvement from baseline in all dimensions, including the Physical and Mental Component Summaries (p < 0.01), whether on narcotics or not.

CONCLUSIONS

TP can ameliorate pain and improve quality of life in otherwise refractory CP patients, even if narcotic withdrawal is delayed or incomplete because of earlier long-term use. IAT preserves meaningful islet function in most patients and substantial islet function in more than two thirds of patients, with insulin independence occurring in one quarter of adults and half the children.

26. Pain in chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is defined as a progressive inflammatory response of the pancreas that has lead to irreversible morphological changes of the parenchyma (fibrosis, loss of acini and islets of Langerhans, and formation of pancreatic stones) as well as of the pancreatic duct (stenosis and pancreatic stones). Pain is one of the most important symptoms of chronic pancreatitis. The pathogenesis of this pain can only partly be explained and it is therefore often difficult to treat this symptom. The management of pain induced by chronic pancreatitis starts with lifestyle changes and analgesics. For the pharmacological management, the three-step ladder of the World Health Organization extended with the use of co-analgesics is followed. Interventional pain management may consist of radiofrequency treatment of the nervi splanchnici, spinal cord stimulation, endoscopic stenting or stone extraction possibly in combination with lithotripsy, and surgery. To date, there are no randomized controlled trials supporting the efficacy of radiofrequency and spinal cord stimulation. The large published series reports justify a recommendation to consider these treatment options. Radiofrequency treatment, being less invasive than spinal cord stimulation, could be tested prior to considering spinal cord stimulation. There are several other treatment possibilities such as endoscopic or surgical treatment, pancreatic enzyme supplementation and administration of octreotide and antioxidants. All may have a role in the management of pain induced by chronic pancreatitis.

Permanent percutaneous splanchnic nerve neuromodulation for management of pain due to chronic pancreatitis: a case report

INTRODUCTION

  The management of pain in chronic benign pancreatitis is complex. Celiac plexus neurolysis provides pain relief of variable duration. Neuromodulation of splanchnic nerves with electrodes and an implantable pulse generator system is an alternative to producing long-term pain relief with minimal complications in selected cases.

METHODS

  A 36-year-old lady with intractable abdominal pain for five years from chronic benign pancreatitis presented to our pain clinic. Multiple pharmacotherapy regimens, surgery, and interventions produced temporary pain relief of variable duration and intensity. Following a successful trial of celiac plexus stimulation, neuromodulation of the splanchnic nerves was achieved with two permanently implanted octopolar leads at the T11/T12 area connected to an implantable pulse generator.

RESULTS

  Eighteen months following the implant, the patient continues to derive satisfactory pain relief without any device related complications. Her opiate use is significantly reduced from 225 (486 mg morphine per day) to 12.5 (27 mg morphine per day) micrograms/h fentanyl patches and the fentanyl lozenges were stopped with an increase in appetite and of more than 8 kg in weight gain. The initial pain score visual analogue scale (VAS) 8-9/10 was reduced to VAS 0/10 since implantation.

DISCUSSION

  The pain of chronic pancreatitis has both visceral and somatic components as evidenced by the lack of complete pain relief from celiac plexus block alone and the knowledge that in chronic disease, the pathology extends to extra pancreatic somatic tissues, particularly the retro-peritoneum. We postulate that the electrical field generated by the dual octrode system extends to include splanchnic nerves and other somatic innervation of the pancreas.

CONCLUSION

  In our opinion, this is the first case of a successful long-term neuromodulation of splanchnic nerves with a permanently implanted device. The potential exists for its use in visceral abdominal pain of varied etiology, once more experience is obtained with this technique.

Proteinase-activated receptor 2 mediates thermal hyperalgesia and is upregulated in a rat model of chronic pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

The mechanism of pain in chronic pancreatitis (CP) has yet to be explored. Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) plays a pronociceptive role in visceral pain. The study aimed to assess the expression of PAR2 in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) and validate its role of thermal hyperalgesia in CP.

METHODS

Chronic pancreatitis model was induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid infusion into rat pancreatic ducts. Abdominal hyperalgesia was measured by thermal withdrawal latencies. The expression of PAR2 and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) were analyzed by immunofluorescence and Western blot. The messenger RNA encoding PAR2 was quantitated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The effects of short-term and long-term ulinastatin treatment on abdominal thermal hyperalgesia of rats with CP were measured.

RESULTS

Rats with CP showed a decreased thermal withdrawal latency. Proteinase-activated receptor 2 and TRPV1 were significantly upregulated in DRGs. The increased PAR2 protein expression was tightly correlated with thermal withdrawal latencies and TRPV1 expression. Short-term ulinastatin treatment inhibited the development of thermal hyperalgesia of rats with CP in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

The thermal hyperalgesia in CP is associated with an up-regulation of the PAR2 in DRGs. Proteinase-activated receptor 2 was involved in the pain generation in rats with CP.

The somatostatin analogue octreotide inhibits capsaicin-mediated activation of nociceptive primary afferent fibres in spinal cord lamina II (substantia gelatinosa)

Somatostatin (SST) in spinal cord has been linked with the inhibition of nociceptive neurotransmission in several experimental paradigms. The SST2 receptor (SSTR2) is the main SST receptor subtype in the superficial dorsal horn (DH) and is activated, besides to the naïve peptide, by the SST synthetic analogue octreotide (OCT). In the present work, we have studied the central effects of SSTR2 activation on capsaicin (CAP)-induced glutamate release in mouse DH. In neurons of the lamina II of DH, CAP (2 μM) induced a strong increase of mEPSC frequency that was significantly reduced (70%) by OCT. SSTR2 involvement was assessed by using the specific antagonist CYN 154806. No differences were observed between frequency increase in CAP alone vs. CAP in the presence of CYN 154806+OCT. The effect of OCT was further investigated by studying c-fos expression in spinal cord slices. The CAP-induced increase in density of Fos immunoreactive nuclei in the superficial DH was strongly prevented by OCT. SSTR2a (a splicing variant of SSTR2) immunoreactivity was found in both pre- and post-synaptic compartments of laminae I-II synapses. By light and electron microscopy, SSTR2a was mainly localized onto non-peptidergic isolectin B4 (IB4)-positive primary afferent fibres (PAFs). A subset of them was also found to express the CAP receptor TRPV1. These data show that the SST analogue OCT inhibits CAP-mediated activation of non-peptidergic nociceptive PAFs in lamina II. Our data indicate that SSTR2a plays an important role in the pre-synaptic modulation of central excitatory nociceptive transmission in mouse.

Attenuation of persistent experimental pancreatitis pain by a bradykinin b2 receptor antagonist

OBJECTIVE

The role of bradykinin (BK) receptors in activating and sensitizing peripheral nociceptors is well known. Recently, we showed that spinal dynorphin was pronociceptive through direct or indirect BK receptor activation. Here, we explored the potential role of BK receptors in pain associated with persistent pancreatitis in rats.

METHODS

Experimental pancreatitis and abdominal hypersensitivity were induced by intravenous administrations of dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC). [des-Arg-Leu]BK (B1 antagonist) and HOE 140 (B2 antagonist) were given by intraperitoneal or intrathecal injection. Dynorphin antiserum was given intrathecally. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect spinal mRNA for BK receptors.

RESULTS

Dibutyltin dichloride-induced pancreatitis upregulated B1 and B2 mRNA in the thoracic dorsal root ganglion and B2, but not B1, in the pancreas. No changes in spinal B1 or B2 mRNA were observed. Intraperitoneal or intrathecal administration of HOE 140 dose dependently abolished DBTC-induced abdominal hypersensitivity, whereas [des-Arg-Leu]BK was without effect by either route of administration. Antiserum to dynorphin (intrathecal) abolished DBTC-induced hypersensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that blockade of peripheral or spinal BK B2 receptors may be an effective approach for diminishing pain associated with pancreatitis. Moreover, it is suggested that spinal dynorphin may maintain pancreatitis pain through direct or indirect activation of BK B2 receptors in the spinal cord.

Reversal of pancreatitis-induced pain by an orally available, small molecule interleukin-6 receptor antagonist

Pancreatic pain resulting from chronic inflammation of the pancreas is often intractable and clinically difficult to manage with available analgesics reflecting the need for more effective therapies. The mechanisms underlying pancreatitis pain are not well understood. Here, the possibility that interleukin-6 (IL-6) may promote pancreatitis pain was investigated with TB-2-081 (3-O-formyl-20R,21-epoxyresibufogenin, EBRF), a small molecule IL-6 receptor antagonist that was semi-synthetically derived from natural sources. The potential activity and mechanism of TB-2-081 were investigated following the induction of persistent pancreatitis using dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC) in rats. TB-2-081 displaces the binding of IL-6 to the human recombinant soluble IL-6 receptor with apparent high affinity and inhibits IL-6 mediated cell growth. Systemic or oral, but not intrathecal, administration of TB-2-081 reversed DBTC-induced abdominal hypersensitivity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. IL-6 levels were significantly up-regulated in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of rats with pancreatitis on day 6 after DBTC injection. IL-6-enhanced capsaicin-evoked release of calcitonin gene-related peptide from cultured DRG neurons was blocked by TB-2-081. Our data demonstrate that TB-2-081 acts as a systemically available and orally active small molecule IL-6 receptor antagonist. TB-2-081 effectively reduces pancreatitis-induced pain through peripheral mechanisms that are likely due to (a) increased expression of IL-6 in the DRG and (b) IL-6-mediated sensitization of nociceptive neurons. The activity of TB-2-081 implicates an important role for IL-6 in sustaining pancreatitis pain. Strategies targeting IL-6 actions through small molecule antagonists may offer novel approaches to improve the therapy of chronic pancreatitis and other chronic pain states.

Role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in pancreatic diseases

Over the last 15 years, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has evolved from a diagnostic tool to one that is primarily used to provide therapy. This development occurred first for biliary disorders and subsequently to a lesser extent for pancreatic diseases. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasonography suggest a diagnosis in the majority of patients with pancreatic diseases today and can help physicians and patients avoid unnecessary ERCP. However, a selected number of patients with pancreatic diseases may benefit from pancreatic endotherapy and avoid complex surgery and chronic use of medications. Pancreatic sphincterotomy, pancreatic stenting and pancreatic cyst drainage are some of the most effective and challenging endoscopic pancreatic interventions and should be performed with caution by expert therapeutic endoscopists. There has been a paucity of randomized studies investigating endoscopic techniques in comparison with surgery and medical therapy for the treatment of most benign and malignant pancreatic disorders due to the limited number of patients and the expertise required to attempt these procedures.

Analgesic effects of gabapentin on mechanical hypersensitivity in a rat model of chronic pancreatitis

Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant, is widely accepted as an alternative therapeutic agent for neuropathic pain and has proved to produce analgesic effects in a mouse model of visceral pain. However, it is unknown whether gabapentin is also analgesically effective in chronic pancreatitis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of gabapentin in a rat model of chronic pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis induced by dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC) produced a marked increase in mechanical sensitivity of the abdomen after the establishment of the model. During the first day to the sixth day in the fourth week, Gabapentin was administered intraperitoneally daily at a dose of 100mg/kg. The behavioral test began 1h after drug administration. The analgesic effect of gabapentin was not evident with a single injection, but gabapentin significantly reduced the responsive frequencies to mechanical stimulation in rats with chronic pancreatitis from the third day to the end of the experiment. To explore the underlying mechanisms, the expression of alpha(2)delta-1 calcium channel subunit was examined in the thoracic spinal cord (T8-11). There was no significant change in alpha(2)delta-1 level of T8-11 following the first injection. But after the sixth injection, the alpha(2)delta-1 level of T8-11 in rats with chronic pancreatitis was declined. Taken together, the present study suggested that repeated administration of gabapentin daily could reduce mechanical hypersensitivity in the upper abdomen and produce an analgesic effect in a rat model of chronic pancreatitis. The down-regulation of alpha(2)delta-1 calcium channel subunit might be one of the mechanisms underlying the analgesic effect of gabapentin.

Diagnostic yield and reliability of endoscopic ultrasonography in patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the diagnostic yield of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP), find factors predictive of a positive EUS finding in these patients and investigate whether these etiological findings are maintained during follow-up.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed EUS in patients with IAP between July 2004 and August 2007. We recorded epidemiological data, the number and severity of previous bouts of pancreatitis and gallbladder status.

RESULTS

A total of 44 patients were included in the study. EUS was normal in seven patients (16%). In the remaining 37 patients (84%) we found cholelithiasis (n = 3), microlithiasis (n = 20), chronic pancreatitis (n = 14), pancreas divisum (n = 3), pancreatic mass (n = 1), apudoma (n = 1), cystic tumor of the pancreas (n = 2) and choledocholithiasis (n = 2). Positive EUS findings were not influenced by sex, severity of pancreatitis or recurrent disease. Patients aged < 65 years (age > or < 65 years: 73.9% versus 95.2%; P = 0.097) and patients with gallbladder in situ (cholecystectomy versus non-cholecystectomy: 63.6% versus 90.9%; P = 0.054) showed a tendency to have positive EUS findings. Mean follow-up was 28.95 +/- 10.86 months (range 12-64 months; median 28 months). During follow-up the etiological diagnosis was changed in two patients, lowering the diagnostic yield to 79%.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS identified the cause of IAP in 79% of patients. Patients with gallbladder in situ and patients aged < 65 years showed a tendency to have positive EUS findings. The majority of the diagnoses provided by EUS are maintained during follow-up and seem to be reliable.

The management of acute and chronic pancreatitis

Pancreatitis, which is most generally described as any inflammation of the pancreas, is a serious condition that manifests in either acute or chronic forms. Chronic pancreatitis results from irreversible scarring of the pancreas, resulting from prolonged inflammation. Six major etiologies for chronic pancreatitis have been identified: toxic/ metabolic, idiopathic, genetic, autoimmune, recurrent and severe acute pancreatitis, and obstruction. The most common symptom associated with chronic pancreatitis is pain localized to the upper-to-middle abdomen, along with food malabsorption, and eventual development of diabetes. Treatment strategies for acute pancreatitis include fasting and short-term intravenous feeding, fluid therapy, and pain management with narcotics for severe pain or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories for milder cases. Patients with chronic disease and symptoms require further care to address digestive issues and the possible development of diabetes. Dietary restrictions are recommended, along with enzyme replacement and vitamin supplementation. More definitive outcomes may be achieved with surgical or endoscopic methods, depending on the role of the pancreatic ducts in the manifestation of disease.

Efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus block and celiac plexus neurolysis for managing abdominal pain associated with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND/GOALS

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided celiac plexus block (CPB) and celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) have become important interventions in the management of pain due to chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. However, only a few well-structured studies have been performed to evaluate their efficacy. Given limited data, their use remains controversial. Herein, we evaluate the efficacy of EUS-guided CPB and CPN in alleviating chronic abdominal pain due to chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer respectively.

STUDY METHODS

Using Medline, Pubmed, and Embase databases from January 1966 through December 2007, a thorough search of the English literature for studies evaluating the efficacy of EUS-guided CPB and CPN for the management of chronic abdominal pain due to chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer was conducted, along with a hand search of reference lists. Studies that involved less than 10 patients were excluded. Data on pain relief was extracted, pooled, and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 9 studies were included in the final analysis. For chronic pancreatitis, 6 relevant studies were identified, comprising a total of 221 patients. EUS-guided CPB was effective in alleviating abdominal pain in 51.46% of patients. For pancreatic cancer, 5 relevant studies were identified with a total of 119 patients. EUS-guided CPN was effective in alleviating abdominal pain in 72.54% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-guided CPB was 51.46% effective in managing chronic abdominal pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis, but warrants improvement in patient selection and refinement of technique, whereas EUS-guided CPN was 72.54% effective in managing pain due to pancreatic cancer and is a reasonable option for patients with tolerance to narcotic analgesics.

[Acute pancreatitis and bradycardia]

Acute pancreatitis is frequently associated with electrocardiographic abnormalities, including arrhythmias and repolarization. We briefly describe a male patient with a severe acute pancreatitis who presented several bradycardias during his hospitalization in our intensive care unit. The aim of this case report is to underline the probability of severe arrhythmias during acute pancreatitis, which can increase morbidity of this pathology. Despite many publications or reports, causes of increased EKG abnormalities during severe pancreatitis remained unclear and are probably multifactorial. To prevent accidents or complications, patients with severe acute pancreatitis should have a continuous EKG monitoring.