Published online Aug 16, 2021. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v13.i8.336
Peer-review started: February 12, 2021
First decision: May 5, 2021
Revised: June 11, 2021
Accepted: July 13, 2021
Article in press: July 13, 2021
Published online: August 16, 2021
Processing time: 180 Days and 14.5 Hours
Pancreatic endotherapy provides treatment options for the management of chronic pancreatitis-related structural complications such as pancreatic duct stones, strictures, and pancreatic fluid collections. Most studies detailing endotherapy, however, have focused on technical success outcomes such as stone clearance or stricture resolution.
To review the effect of pancreatic endotherapy on patient-centered outcomes.
Systematic review of studies examining pancreatic endotherapy.
A total of 13 studies including 3 randomized clinical trials were included. The majority of studies found an improvement in quality of life with pancreatic endotherapy.
While pancreatic endotherapy does appear to improve quality of life, there are clear gaps in knowledge regarding many pancreatic endotherapy modalities. Furthermore, qualitative analysis is lacking in these studies and further work is needed to elucidate the patient experience with pancreatic endotherapy.
Core Tip: Chronic pancreatitis remains difficult to treat and pancreatic endotherapy offers one option for the management of chronic pancreatitis-related complications. Pancreatic duct decompression via pancreatic duct stone lithotripsy and stenting appears to improve the quality of life of these patients in the short-term. More studies, however, are needed to examine the effect of endotherapy modalities such as endoscopic transmural drainage of pancreatic fluid collections, celiac plexus blocks and more recent innovations on quality of life in these patients.