Pancreatitis crónica

Abstract

Rather than fight the pain as an enemy that should not be given respite or quarter, we must seek the cause that caused such pain. As regards the -acute or chronic- abdominal pain, this premise should be that commands our decision-making. Try to eradicate the pain without knowing its etiology could not only be counterproductive but bring irreparable and disastrous results'. Among the possible causes of abdominal pain is chronic pancreatitis (CP). This is a progressive inflammatory disease where the pancreatic parenchyma is replaced by fibrous tissue leading to a loss of acinar cells and islets of Langerhans. CP incidence is increasing worldwide. It is characterized by a diffuse abdominal pain, medium to high intensity that is not consistent with the severity or time of suffering. Persistent pain in many patients determines their hospitalization at some point in their illness. The management of patients with CP should include general supportive measures with close monitoring, efforts to limit complications, appropriate treatment if complications and preventing recurrences occur. The CP is a disease of such variability that it may not be treated effectively by following blindly any set of recommendations. This chapter attempts to show an alternative for pain management and diagnosis of etiology.