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Complications are managed as they arise in the course of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Some of these complications include:

• Pseudocysts which may need to be removed or drained. If other interventions are needed, they may consist of:

  • endoscopic stenting - if the cyst is connected to the pancreatic duct. This allows the cyst to drain on a continual basis. Success rate is thought to be approximately 70%.
  • surgery - as described above for cyst enlargement or complications
  • percutaneous drainage - for patients who cannot tolerate surgery, this less invasive procedure may be an option for achieving drainage of cysts. A needle is inserted through the skin into the cyst and the fluid is aspirated (withdrawn) from the cyst.

• If there is duodenal obstruction caused by the constriction of the pancreatic and bile ducts that empty into the duodenum, surgery may be required to reverse the constriction.

• If the common bile duct or other areas of the biliary system are obstructed with stones, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or other endoscopic or surgical procedures may be necessary.
• Pancreatic fistulae, openings between the pancreas and the environment outside of the pancreas, usually close spontaneously but may require endoscopic or surgical intervention.
• The pancreas is extremely susceptible to serious infection in the presence of extensive pancreatic necrosis (tissue death) and this may result in the formation of a pancreatic abscess (a collection of pus). Pancreatic abscess can develop several weeks after pancreatitis subsides. Treatment usually consists of drainage and medications.