Objective To investigate the stent occlusion rate and its risk factor in chronic pancreatitis (CP). Methods From November 2006 to January 2010 a total of 77 pancreatic endoprostheses from 64 patients with CP were tested by simulating the pathophysiologically increased main pancreatic duct (MPD)pressure. The water flow during 15 seconds was recorded 4 times at a pressure of 10 cm water. Kaplan Meier method was used to evaluate the univariate relationship between risk factor and stent occlusion, and Cox regression survival analysis was used to evaluate the multivariate relationship between risk factor and stent occlusion. Results 64 patients with CP were included, with 43 males and 21 females, the mean age was 38 years (range, 4 ～ 80 years). The stents had been placed for a mean of 263 days ( range 26 ～ 759 days).Average stent diameter was 8F (range, 5 ～ 10 F). The overall occlusion rate was 67.5% (52/77), the nonocclusion rates at 90, 180, 360, 540 d were 96. 1% (74/77) , 72.7% (56/77) ,58.4% (45/77) and 35.1% (27/77). In the Cox regression analysis, endoprosthesis diameter ≥8.5F was shown to be the only risk factors for stent occlusion. Conclusions A significant proportion of stents placed after 180 d were not occluded, and were significantly lower than those reported from similar studies overseas. Pancreatic endoprosthesis diameter ≥8. 5F was prone to occlusion.

Objective To investigate the incidence of diabetes mellitus and risk factors for the disease in chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients.Methods A historical cohort study on subjects with painful CP who were admitted to hospital from Jan.1997 to July 2007 were conducted.A life-table method was used to estimate the cumulative probability of the development of diabetes mellitus once clinical onset of abdominal pain.Cox proportional-hazards model was used for multivariate analysis of the variables including age,sex,drinking and smoking habits,etiological factor,presence of pancreatic masses,pancreatic calcifications,measure of intervention,diarrhea,weight loss and degree of pain.Results Data were obtained from 354 patients (239 males,mean age at onset of pain (38.1±17.6) years;alcoholic origin 18.1%) with painful CP.The mean follow-up period was (45.2±32.9)months.The rate of diabetes mellitus in CP patients was 16.1%.There was a high incidence (29.8%)of diabetes mellitus 1 year before the episodes of abdominal pain.The cumulative risk of diabetes mellitus in subjects 5 and 10 years after the episodes of pain was 9.3% and 20.7%,respectively.Cox proportional-hazards model selected smoking (＞10 pack years) (hazard rate (HR)= 3.3),mild abdominal pain (HR=5.2),weight loss (HR = 2.6) and pancreatic calcifications (HR = 2.2) as variables identifying subjects with diabetes mellitus in patients with painful CP before they were performed therapeutic endoscopy or surgical intervention.Smoking (＞10 pack years) (HR = 3.0),weight loss (HR= 2.8) and distal pancreatectomy (HR =7.3) were identified with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus in these cases after they received therapeutic endoscopy or surgical intervention.Conclusion The risk factors of diabetes mellitus for CP appears to be independent of smoking (＞10 pack years),mild abdominal pain,weight loss,pancreatic calcifications and distal pancreatectomy.

Objective To investigate the incidence and risk factors of pancreatic cancer in patients with painful chronic pancreatitis (CP). Methods Three hundred and ninty-seven patients with painful CP were recruited between Jan. 1997 to July 2007. A life-table method was used to estimate the cumulative probability of the incidence of pancreatic cancer. Cox proportional-hazards model was used for multivariate analysis of the variables including age, sex, drinking and smoking habits, etiological factor, presence of pancreatic masses, pancreatic calcifications, measure of intervention, diabetes mellitus, diarrhea, weight loss and degree of pain. Results Of 397 patients,346 (87.2%) were follow-up for (34.3±27.1)months with 244 males and 102 females(2.4 :1). The mean age of the patients were (47.7 ±13. 7) years and alcoholic origin accounted for 22. 2%. The incidence of the pancreatic cancer was 8.1 % (28/346). There was a high incidence of cancers during the 4 years after the episodes of abdominal pain. The cumulative risks of pancreatic cancer 1, 5 and 10 years after the episodes of pain were 5 %, 5.6% and 11.6% respectively. Cox proportional-hazards model selected age at onset (≥51 years) [hazard rate(HR) = 3. 1], pancreatic calcifications ( HR = 4.1) ,pancreatic masses ( HR = 7. 1 )], no improvement of abdominal pain ( HR = 3. 8), increased frequency of pain (HR= 6.8), no diarrhea (HR= 15.3) as variables identified with pancreatic cancer in painful CP patients. Conclusions Pancreatic cancer should be suspected in patients with CP. The risk factors of pancreatic cancer are age at onset (≥ 51 years), pancreatic calcifications, pancreatic masses, no improvement of abdominal pain, increased frequency of pain and no diarrhea.

Objective To evaluate the risk factors of failure in pain resolution in chronic pancreatitis(CP)after endoscopic treatment.Methods We undertook a retrospective cohoa study of subjects with pain caused by CP,who underwent endoscopic treatment from January 1997 to December 2006.Cox proportional-hazards model was used for multivariate analysis of the variables that were possibly related to failure of treatment.Results Follow-up data were obtained from 172 patients(114 males and 58 females,mean age 39.4 yr.Pain resolution after endoscopic treatment was achieved in 148(86.0%).Cox proportional-hazards model showed risk factors of failure in pain resolution after endoscopic treatment were onset age(＞36 years,hazard rate(HR)=3.5),mild and moderate abdominal pain before endoscopy(HR=2.4),no decrease in amount alcohol consume(＜50%,HR=1.9)and inappropriate diet(HR=2.8).Conclusion Patients with CP should abstain from alcohol and have low-fat diet,especially for those with pain onset at older ages (＞36 years)and with mild and moderate abdominal pain before endoscopic treatment.

Objective To investigate the relationship between alcohol and smoking and the development of pancreatic calcification in chronic pancreatitis (CP) in China. Methods The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of pancreatic calcification at admission and the data were analyzed; furthermore, the discharged patients without pancreatic calcification were divided into two groups as newly diagnosed pancreatic calcification group and persistent non-pancreatic calcification group. Logistic regression and Cox proportional-hazards model was used for multivariate analysis of the risk factors for pancreatic calcification. Results From January1997 to July 2007, 449 patients with CP were enrolled and followed up successfully. 248 patients presented with pancreatic calcification at admission; among the 201 patients presented without pancreatic calcification, 13 patients developed pancreatic calcification after discharge. Patients with pancreatic calcification had a young age at onset, long CP history, higher incidence of diabetes mellitus and diarrhea. Age at onset ≤ 40, alcohol intake over 20 g/day, and diabetes mellitus and diarrhea were risk factors for pancreatic calcification. The only risk factor of development of pancreatic calcification after discharge was excessive alcohol intake (OR: 3.2). Conclusions Alcohol intake increased the risk of pancreatic calcifications, suggesting the patients abstain from alcohol intake. Further studies are necessary to clarify the role of smoking.

Objective To evaluate and compare the effects of surgical and endoscopic therapy for common bile duct stenosis (CBDS) induced by chronic pancreatitis (CP). Methods A historical cohort study of CBDS subjects induced by CP, who underwent endoscopic or surgical treatments at Changhai Hospital from Januraryl997 to July 2007, was performed. Results Of 514 cases of CP, CBDS occurred in 51 (9.9%), in which complete follow-up data were available in 41 survived patients with a mean follow-up period of 42.9±28. 3 months. The mean ages of first onset and hospitalization were 46. 3±14.0 and 49. 8±11.9 years, respectively. Endoscopic therapy was applied in 13 patients, including bile duct stenting in 7, 6 of whom presented with cholangitis, cholestasis and/or jaundice. Surgery was performed in 26 patients, in which 7 also underwent endoscopic therapy, and occupying lesion in pancreatic head was found in 14. The other 2 patients were treated without endoscopy or surgery. At the end of the follow-up, all symptoms including cholangitis, cholestasis and jaundice were relieved and no recurrence or choler cirrhosis was recorded.Conclusion Surgical approach is the main treatment for CBDS induced by CP. Endoscopic therapy is an alternative for patients unfit for surgery, especially for those who had jaundice, cholestasis or cholangitis.

Objective To explore the treatments and their effects on painless chronic pancreatitis (CP) in adult. Methods A historical cohort study of adult subjects with CP, who were hospitalized in our center in the last decade, was performed, and the clinical data were analyzed. Results There were 56 cases of adult painless CP, and 46 (82.1%) (31 males and 15 females, age 51.6±14.5 years) were followed up(34.5±27.1 months). Imaging findings showed 26 cases of pancreatic duct stones and morphological changes. These patients received endoscopic intervention therapy(n=14), surgical procedures(n=7), combined endoscopic and surgical treatment(n=3) and conservative treatment(n=2). Another group of 18 cases of pancreatic or peripheral occupying lesions received surgery. During follow-up of the above 2 groups, 1 patient died of pancreatic cancer in each group. The symptoms of diabetes and diarrhea were not relieved, but there was improvement of general condition in some patients. Stones re-occurred after surgery in one patient. Two patients with pancreatic duct dilation and cysts underwent endoscopic treatment(n=1) and surgical procedure(n=1), respectively. But the latter patient experienced gastric bleeding, cirrhosis and jaundice with unknown reason after the surgery. Conclusion In adult patients with CP, endoscopic and surgical procedures had similar effect in patients with pancreatic duct stones and dilation. Surgical procedures are preferably performed in those with pancreatic occupying lesions. Further study is needed in those only with pancreatic duct dilation. The above treatments can improve general conditions in some patients. Intensive surveillance is suggested to the patients with painless CP.

Objective To investigate the survival of patients with painful chronic panereatitis and evaluate the risk factors for mortality in these patients.Methods This was a historical cohort study,subjects ≥18 yr with painful chronic pancreatitis who were treated in our center from Feb.1997 to July 2007 were enrolled.A life-table method was used to estimate the probability of the cumulative survival rate.COX proportional-hazards model was used for multivariate analysis.Results Follow-up data were obtained from 346 patients (87.2%) with the ratio of male/female was 2.4:1.The age of first admission and first symptom onset was (47±14)years and (43±15 ) years.The mean follow-up period was ( 34.3±27.1 ) months.Alcoholic origin accounted for 22.2% of all the patients,while biliary origin was 26.0%.The overall mortality rate was 9.8% (34/346),which happened (62.5±61.1 ) months after abdominal pain was present.The causes of mortality included pancreatic cancer and cancers of other sites.The cumulative survival rate estimated at 2 years was 96.3%,at 5 years 93.6% and at 10 years 86.4%.COX proportional-hazards model suggested age at onset (≥51 years),no improvement of abdominal pain or increased frequency of pain,active smoking,and no diarrhea were associated with increased mortality,and the corresponding hazard rates (HR) were 3.4,3.5,4.2,2.8 and 17.7,respectively.Conclusions The mortality rate of painful chronic panereatitis in China was lower than those reported outside China.The main cause of mortality was pancreatic cancer.Great caution shall be placed on patients with age at onset ≥51 yr,no improvement of abdominal pain,increased frequency of pain,active smoking and no diarrhea.

Objective To analyse the clinical characterization of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of pancreas (IPMNs) and to improve the understanding of IPMNs.Methods Three hundred and sixty-one patients with IPMN at Shanghai Changhai Hospital between 1993 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among 361 cases of IPMNs,241 were men and 120 were female,with a female to male ratio of 2.6∶1.Mean age of the patients was 62 years old (16 ～ 87 years old).The duct type included the main duct in 102 patients (28.3％),a branch duct in 109 (30.2％),and mixed ducts in 150 (41.6％).The most common symptom at presentation is pancreatitis,which occur in 167 patients (46.3％).The sensitivity for the detection of IPMN was 80.2％ by ERCP,76.9％ by MRCP,63.9％ by CT,and 50.5％ by EUS.One hundred and twenty-nine patients (35.7％) were operated and diagnosed with 87 (67.2％) IPMA,21 (16.4％) IPMB,10(8.2％) IPMC(CIS) and 10 (8.2％) had invasive carcinomas.The 5-year survival rates of IPMA,IPMB,IPMC,and invasive carcinomas were 100％,100％,66.5％,and 44.7％,respectively.Conclusions IPMNs were fregrently occured is 60 years old,half of patients had acute pancreatitis history and the frequtly attack,mixed type is most anatomy type,and the outcome after surgery is good.

Objective To investigate the changes of indications, degree of difficulty in procedure, complication and its severity in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in Changhai hospital from 2001 to 2007. Methods The clinical data, including demographic data, indications, degree of difficulty in procedure, success rate, complication rate and severity of complication, of 2374 patients who underwent ERCP in 2001 and 2007 (966 in 2001 and 1408 in 2007), were retrospectively reviewed. Results Indications of ERCP changed at an interval of 5 years. Operations due to bile duct stone decreased (59.0% vs. 49.3%, P=0.000), while operations due to pancreas disease, especially chronic pancreatitis (6.6% vs. 18.5%, P=0.000) and recurrent pancreatitis (0.2% vs.1.6%, P=0.001), increased. Patients with biliary duct problems after liver transplantation appeared in 2007. The procedures of ERCP performed in 2007 were more difficult (P=0.000), with an increased percentage of Degree 5 procedure (7.3% vs. 33.3%, P=0.000). The number of diagnostic ERCP significantly decreased (Degree 1 + Degree 3, 30.5% +2.8% vs. 5.9% +3.1%, P=0.000). There was no significant difference in the success rate between the two years (P=0.084). The complication rate of ERCP in 2007 was significantly higher than that in 2001 (3.73% vs. 7.88%, P=0.000), but the severity of complication showed no significant difference (P=0.820). Conclusion Cases of diagnostic ERCP decreased in 2007. Indications of ERCP have changed, with a decrease in bile duct diseases and an increase in pancreatic diseases. The procedures are more complicated, but it does not lead to lower success rate. The increase in complication rate is possibly due to increase of therapeutic ERCP.