S/P ERCP Pancreattiis Research Studies

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Toni,

Here is an interesting abstract located at the pancreasweb.com is called,

" Oral Allopurinol Does Not Prevent The Frequency Or The Severity Of Post-ERCP

Pancreatitis. " The authors include IU ERCP staff: Dr. Stuart Sherman, Glen

Lehman, and Evan Fogel. It discusses the use of allopurinol to prevent the

pancreatitis, but you may find the data re: percent of s/p ERCP pancreatitis of

more interest. This study states that 12.55% of persons having an ERCP develop

s/p pancreatitis.

It also states, " Background: Pancreatitis is the most common major

complication of ERCP. Efforts have been made to identify pharmacologic agents

capable

of reducing its incidence and severity. The aim of this trial was to determine

whether prophylactic allopurinol, an inhibitor of oxygen-derived free

radical production, would reduce the frequency and severity of post-ERCP

pancreatitis. Methods: A total of 701 patients were randomized to receive

either

allopurinol or placebo 4 hours and 1 hour before ERCP. Results: The overall

incidence of pancreatitis was 12.55%. It occurred in 46 of 355 patients in the

allopurinol group (12.96%) and in 42 of 346 patients in the control group

(12.14%; p=0.52). The pancreatitis was graded mild in 7.89%, moderate in 4.51%,

and

severe in 0.56% of the allopurinol group, and mild in 6.94%, moderate in

4.62%, and severe in 0.58% of the control group. There was no significant

difference between the groups in the frequency or the severity of pancreatitis.

Conclusions: Prophylactic oral allopurinol did not reduce the frequency or

the severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

Indianapolis, Indiana