Interní Med. 2007; 9(9): 374-377

PANCREATIC PAIN

prof. MUDr. Přemysl Frič DrSc

Interní klinika 1. LF UK a Ústřední vojenské nemocnice, subkatedra gastroenterologie IPVZ, Praha

Pancreatic pain accompanies acute and chronic pancreatitis as well as pancreatic cancer. In chronic pancreatitis (CP) pain deserves special attention. Its causes include destruction of parenchymal tissue, fibroproduction and their consequences. Pancreatic stellate cells play an important role in these processes. Pain is triggered by meals, alcohol and disturbances of pancreatic secretions passage through the duct system. More than 90% of CP subjects suffer from pain which is the main factor affecting the quality of life. Pain therapy is a complex problem and some procedures are considered controversial. Therapeutic methods are non-invasive (life style, diet, pharmaceuticals) and invasive (endoscopic and surgical procedures). The choice of adequate therapeutic procedures in alcoholic CP requires stratification of patients according to duration and frequency of painful paroxysms. The best predictors of pain relief are intermittent pattern of pain and surgically correctable complications.

Keywords: pancreas, pain, chronic pancreatitis, noninvasive and invasive therapy

Published: January 1, 2008  Show citation