Brief Articles
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 7, 2009; 15(13): 1600-1606
Published online Apr 7, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.1600
Oral allopurinol to prevent hyperamylasemia and acute pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Hector Martinez-Torres, Xochilt Rodriguez-Lomeli, Carlos Davalos-Cobian, Jesus Garcia-Correa, Juan Manuel Maldonado-Martinez, Fabiola Medrano-Muñoz, Clotilde Fuentes-Orozco, Alejandro Gonzalez-Ojeda
Hector Martinez-Torres, Xochilt Rodriguez-Lomeli, Carlos Davalos-Cobian, Jesus Garcia-Correa, Juan Manuel Maldonado-Martinez, Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, UMAE-Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Medico Nacional de Occidente-IMSS, Avenida Belisario Dominguez # 1000, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44340, Mexico
Fabiola Medrano-Muñoz, Clotilde Fuentes-Orozco, Alejandro Gonzalez-Ojeda, Research Unit in Clinical Epidemiology, UMAE-Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Medico Nacional de Occidente-IMSS, Avenida Belisario Dominguez # 1000, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44340, Mexico
Author contributions: Medrano-Muñoz F, Fuentes-Orozco C and Gonzalez-Ojeda A Participated in the protocol design, collection of clinical information, statistical analysis and were involved in editing the manuscript; Martinez-Torres H, Rodriguez-Lomeli X, Davalos-Cobian C, Garcia-Correa J and Maldonado-Martinez JM were involved in the protocol design, identification and inclusion of candidates and performed the endoscopic procedures.
Correspondence to: Alejandro Gonzalez-Ojeda, MD, PhD, Research Unit in Clinical Epidemiology, UMAE-Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Medico Nacional de Occidente-IMSS, Avenida Belisario Dominguez # 1000, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44340, Mexico. avygail5@yahoo.com.mx
Telephone: +52-33-36189538
Fax: +52-33-36189538
Received: January 9, 2009
Revised: March 4, 2009
Accepted: March 11, 2009
Published online: April 7, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To assess the efficacy of allopurinol to prevent hyperamylasemia and pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (PEP).

METHODS: One hundred and seventy patients were enrolled and randomized to two groups: a study group (n = 85) who received 300 mg of oral allopurinol at 15 h and 3 h before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and a control group (n = 85) receiving an oral placebo at the same times. Main Outcome Measurements included serum amylase levels and the number severity of the episodes of pancreatitis. Serum amylase levels were classified as normal (< 150 IU/L) or hyperamylasemia (> 151 IU/L). Episodes of PEP were classified following Ranson’s criteria and CT severity index.

RESULTS: Gender distribution was similar between groups. Mean age was 53.5 ± 18.9 years for study group and 52.8 ± 19.8 years for controls. Also, the distribution of benign pathology was similar between groups. Hyperamylasemia was more common in the control group (P = 0.003). Mild PEP developed in two patients from the study group (2.3%) and eight (9.4%) from control group (P = 0.04), seven episodes were observed in high-risk patients of the control group (25%) and one in the allopurinol group (3.3%, P = 0.02). Risk factors for PEP were precut sphincterotomy (P = 0.02), pancreatic duct manipulation (P = 0.002) and multiple procedures (P = 0.000). There were no deaths or side effects.

CONCLUSION: Oral allopurinol before ERCP decreased the incidences of hyperamylasemia and pancreatitis in patients submitted to high-risk procedures.

Keywords: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, Hyperamylasemia, Acute pancreatitis, Oral allopurinol, Risk factors