Published online Apr 27, 2023. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v15.i4.712
Peer-review started: November 8, 2022
First decision: November 23, 2022
Revised: December 1, 2022
Accepted: March 20, 2023
Article in press: March 20, 2023
Published online: April 27, 2023
Processing time: 166 Days and 0.7 Hours
Acute pancreatitis is the most common complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Currently, there is no suitable treatment for post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) prophylaxis. Few studies have prospectively evaluated interventions to prevent PEP in children.
To assess the efficacy and safety of the external use of mirabilite to prevent PEP in children.
This multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial enrolled patients with chronic pancreatitis scheduled for ERCP according to eligibility criteria. Patients were randomly divided into the external use of mirabilite group (external use of mirabilite in a bag on the projected abdominal area within 30 min before ERCP) and blank group. The primary outcome was the incidence of PEP. The secondary outcomes included the severity of PEP, abdominal pain scores, levels of serum inflammatory markers [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and serum interleukin-10 (IL-10)], and intestinal barrier function markers [diamine oxidase (DAO), D-lactic acid, and endotoxin]. Additionally, the side effects of topical mirabilite were investigated.
A total of 234 patients were enrolled, including 117 in the external use of mirabilite group and the other 117 in the blank group. The pre-procedure and procedure-related factors were not significantly different between the two groups. The incidence of PEP in the external use of mirabilite group was significantly lower than that in the blank group (7.7% vs 26.5%, P < 0.001). The severity of PEP decreased in the mirabilite group (P = 0.023). At 24 h after the procedure, the visual analog scale score in the external use of mirabilite group was lower than that in the blank group (P = 0.001). Compared with those in the blank group, the TNF-α expressions were significantly lower and the IL-10 expressions were significantly higher at 24 h after the procedure in the external use of mirabilite group (P = 0.032 and P = 0.011, respectively). There were no significant differences in serum DAO, D-lactic acid, and endotoxin levels before and after ERCP between the two groups. No adverse effects of mirabilite were observed.
External use of mirabilite reduced the PEP occurrence. It significantly alleviated post-procedural pain and reduced inflammatory response. Our results favor the external use of mirabilite to prevent PEP in children.
Core Tip: This was a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled study, which aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the external use of mirabilite to prevent post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) in children. Our study showed that the external use of mirabilite can reduce the incidence of PEP, relieve post-procedural pain, and regulate inflammatory mediator expression to reduce the inflammatory response. This study suggests that the external use of mirabilite is a safe, effective, and more acceptable option for the prevention of PEP prophylaxis in pediatric patients.