[Fundamental and clinical studies of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for pancreatic duct stones].

The application of ESWL for pancreatic duct stones was studied clinically, and the safety of this technique was also investigated experimentally. In 12 patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis and having calcified stones in the main pancreatic duct, ESWL was performed. None of the patient had received endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy before ESWL. Stone disintegration was obtained in all cases, and the main pancreatic duct stones completely disappeared in 9 of 12 cases. As a result, not only exacerbation of pancreatitis was removed, but also the preservation of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine functions was suggested. With regard to complications, no abnormalities were observed experimentally in the pancreatic parenchyma of treated dogs, and similarly no acute symptoms were recognized in the patients with pancreatic duct stones. ESWL for pancreatic duct stones is low in stress for the patient, and is effective for large stones. We therefore conclude that ESWL might be an extremely useful, new non-surgical treatment approach to control of pancreatic duct stones.