Rationale: Annually, acute pancreatitis is diagnosed in 6,500 patients in the Netherlands. In up to 25% of patients no definitive cause can be determined after routine work-up including endoscopic ultrasound and this is deemed to be idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP). IAP is known for its high recurrence rate. It is hypothesized that microlithiasis, a type of biliary pancreatitis, is the most common cause of IAP. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is highly effective in preventing recurrence of biliary pancreatitis. Currently no randomized trial has compared LC with conservative treatment in patients with IAP after adequate work-up including endoscopic ultrasound. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of LC as compared to conservative treatment in patients after a first episode of 'EUS-negative' IAP. Study design: Multicenter randomized controlled trial. Patients will be followed for one year after randomization. Study population: Adults with a first episode of 'EUS-negative' IAP. Intervention (if applicable): Laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus conservative treatment. Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary endpoint is pancreatitis recurrence. Secondary endpoints include occurrence of biliary events, complications of LC, number and severity of recurrent episodes of pancreatitis, quality of life (QALY), costs (hospital and societal) and cost-effectiveness.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
262
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Watchful waiting
Amsterdam UMC, location University of Amsterdam
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
RECRUITINGAcute pancreatitis recurrence
Acute pancreatitis recurrence, irrespective of etiology
Time frame: Within 1 year after date of inclusion
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