Sphincteroplasty in selected cases of acute recurrent pancreatitis

Successful medical management of acute pancreatitis with disappearance of symptoms and a reduction of the serum amylase to normal levels is generally followed by return to a normal diet without difficulty. During the past four years, the authors have seen two patients in whom repeated attempts at oral feeding were followed by recurrence of abdominal pain and hyperamylasemia. After prolonged hospitalization, exploratory celiotomy, and ampullary sphincteroplasty were performed for the relief of severe episodic abdominal pain precipitated by eating.