Objectives: To ascertain the effectiveness and safety of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for pancreatic calculi.
Methods: Fourteen ESWL treatments were performed in 12 patients with chronic pancreatitis.
Results: Fragmentation was perceptible after 13 of 14 treatments. Subsequent endoscopic manipulation resulted in complete extraction, partial extraction, and failed extraction of the fragments after 7, 4, and 2 of the ESWL treatments, respectively. No complications occurred and no patient had pancreatitis following ESWL. At a median follow-up of 19 to 22 months, 4 patients have had complete relief of symptoms, 4 have had a decrease in both severity and frequency of pain, and 4 have had no improvement.
Conclusions: ESWL is a safe and useful noninvasive adjunct in the treatment of patients with pancreatic duct calculi.