The availability of extracorporeal lithotripsy for pancreatic duct stones depends on the nature of the pancreatic duct stone; single stones can be used for extracorporeal lithotripsy, while multiple stones are usually not.
In case of single pancreatic duct stone and it does not lead to severe pancreatic duct inflammation, extracorporeal or intracorporeal lithotripsy such as ultrasonic lithotripsy, laser and pneumatic lithotripsy can be tried.
However, in the case of multiple stones that develop in the head of the pancreas and the leptomeninges and lead to calcification, dilatation of the pancreatic ducts, or even dilatation of the surrounding bile ducts, lithotripsy alone will not be able to solve the problem, and surgery is the only way to achieve a better prognosis.
Surgery will selectively remove the head of the pancreas and the leptomeninges, preserving the duodenum, depending on the patient’s specific physical condition and the progression of the disease. This will maximize the protection of the patient’s organs and minimize damage.