OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of therapeutic endoscopy in children with pancreatic diseases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 13 patients aged 3 to 17 years (5 girls and 8 boys) who underwent therapeutic pancreaticobiliary endoscopy. Five patients had an abnormal pancreatobiliary junction. Seven patients undervent transmural interventions on the pancreatic duct under EUS control, and five patients — transpapillary operations. One girl had combined treatment with interventions on the pancreatic ducts and transmural drainage of pancreatic cysts.

RESULTS

Twenty endoscopies were performed on 13 patients. 90% of transpapillary and 100% of transmural interventions were successful. Most transpapillary interventions were staged, with a total duration of treatment — 11 months. Transmural interventions were predominantly performed in one stage, treatment duration ranged from 2 to 3 months (2.2±0.2 months). The length of hospital stay after transmural interventions was 5.2±3.1 and after transpapillary interventions — 5.8±1.5 days. No complications were detected after transpapillary interventions, and one complication developed (bleeding into the pancreatic cyst) after transmural intervention, which resolved conservatively.

CONCLUSION

Pancreatic diseases in pediatric population such as acute recurrent, chronic pancreatitis, and pseudocysts can be effectively treated using minimally invasive intraluminal techniques.