Background: Sodium selenite may play a role in reduction of enhanced oxygen free radicals in the early phase of experimental acute pancreatitis. The aim of the study was to determine whether ERCP induced pancreatitis can be used as a human model for early acute pancreatitis and if a prophylactic antioxidant therapy with sodium selenite or a prophylactic antibiotic therapy has a beneficial effect on the clinical outcome in patients with ERCP.
Patients and methods: Sixty patients were randomly allocated in 3 groups: A (n = 20, sodium selenite i.v. 1 day before ERCP 1 mg bolus/2 x 1 mg infusion); B (n = 20, metronidazole 0.5 g/ofloxacin 0.2 g before and 6 hours after ERCP); C (n = 20, controls, no prophylaxis). Various labor parameters and physical complaints after ERCP were determined.
Results: Patients with an antibiotic prophylaxis or with a sodium selenite substitution had no less physical complaints or pancreatitis than the controls. Seven patients (= 11.7%) developed a pancreatitis after ERCP. Concentration of zinc, copper, manganese, vitamin A and E did not differ significantly between the various groups.
Conclusion: A prophylactic substitution with sodium selenite or prophylactic antibiotic therapy with metronidazole/ofloxacin has no beneficial effect on the clinical outcome in patients with ERCP.