Usefulness of enteric coated pancrelipase for digestive and absorption disorder after pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head carcinomas

Abstract

We assessed the efficacy of enteric coated pancrelipase for digestive and absorption disorder in patients after pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head carcinomas. For the clinically assessment of digestive disorder, we developed a new classification system based on clinical findings that include diarrhea, body weight, activity and symptoms of maldigestion. This classification consists of 6 grades which are matched to the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale. Included in this study are seven cases that were administered pancreatin and converted to enteric coated pancrelipase. In one case, the administration of pancrelipase was stopped due to severe diarrhea. In the other 6 cases, digestive disorder significantly improved and these grades were 0 or 1. Our study suggests that enteric coated pancrelipase is more effective than pancreatin for digestive and absorption disorder after pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head carcinomas. The new clinical classification is also useful to more precisely assess general digestive disorder.