Long-term Outcomes of Endoscopic vs Surgical Drainage of the Pancreatic Duct in Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis

In the long term, symptomatic patients with advanced chronic pancreatitis who underwent surgery as the initial treatment for pancreatic duct obstruction had more relief from pain, with fewer procedures, than patients who were treated endoscopically. Importantly, almost half of the patients who were treated with endoscopy eventually underwent surgery.