Combination of diclofenac and aggressive hydration for the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Aim: To investigate whether aggressive hydration can increase the efficacy of prophylactic non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Background: NSAIDs are recommended for the prevention of PEP; however, whether aggressive hydration can have additional benefits in this regard is not known.

Methods: Patients candidate for ERCP received either pre-procedural rectal diclofenac (100 mg) alone (n = 112) or in combination with aggressive hydration by lactate ringer's (n = 107) as prophylactic method. PEP was defined based on increase in serum levels of pancreatic enzymes (from baseline to 24 hours following the procedure) accompanied with symptoms.

Results: PEP was occurred in 3 patients in the diclofenac only group and in 1 patient in the diclofenac + hydration group with no significant difference (2.7% vs. 0.9%, P = 0.622). Serum amylase levels decreased over time in the diclofenac + hydration group but not in the diclofenac only group. Also, serum lipase levels decreased more rapidly over time in the diclofenac + hydration group compared to the diclofenac only group.

Conclusion: Combination prophylactic therapy with NSAIDs plus aggressive hydration does not seem to have additional clinically important benefits in preventing PEP. Studies with larger sample of patients are required in this regard.