Endoscopic cystoduodenostomy of cysts of chronic calcifying pancreatitis: a report of 20 cases.

This paper reports on the technique and results of 20 endoscopic diversions into the duodenum of cysts complicating chronic pancreatitis in 19 patients. The procedure, performed safely on the condition of visualization of a compression of the duodenal wall by the cyst, was successful 18 times in 17 patients. Complications occurred in four patients: two with bleeding (resulting in the death of one patient), two perforations treated successfully, and one transient cholangitis. Long-term results (average = 20.7 months) in 13 patients who were followed more than 6 months were good nine times, fair three times, and bad in one case. Endoscopic cysto-digestive diversion appears as an interesting alternative to surgery in selected patients with chronic pancreatitis.