patients, however, the current study could not reflect demographic characteristics such as age and gender. For example, the current study could not consider risk factors in a high-risk group of patients in whom complications such as pancreatitis can occur. (3) Some patients were lost during the follow-up period, which lowered the reliability of the statistical analysis of late complications. Despite these limitations, because the current study was conducted by a single investigator at a single institution, the consistency of the treatment procedure was high and its correlation with the complications occurring following EPST could be established. In conclusion, the current study showed that EPST is a relatively safe procedure, with a high success rate, and that it can be used for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic diseases. EPST showed a lower incidence of complications and a higher rate of treatment success; thus, EPST is a relatively safe procedure that can be used to treat pancreatic disease. Additionally, performing EST after EPST is not always necessary. Pancreatic drainage following EPST did not reduce the incidence of procedur- erelated complications in this study. Pancreatic stimulation due to the procedure can cause mild complications. Further larger-scale, prospective studies are warranted to deter- mine the risk factors for developing complications. REFERENCES 1. Kim MH, Lim BC, Cha JM, et al. Endoscopic pancreatic duct sphincterotomy: indications, technique and safety. Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 1998;18:534-541. 2. Choi HS, Hahm JS, Park GN. Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and endoscopic biliary drainage (ERD). Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 1998;18(suppl.):97-107. 3. Fuji T, Amano H, Harima K, et al. Pancreatic sphincterotomy and pancreatic endoprosthesis. Endoscopy 1985;17:69-72. 4. Delhaye M, Vandermeeren A, Baize M, Cremer M. Extracorporeal Joo YW, et al. Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy 195 shock-wave lithotripsy of pancreatic calculi. Gastroenterology 1992;102:610-620. 5. Dumonceau JM, Deviere J, Le Moine O, et al. Endoscopic pancreatic drainage in chronic pancreatitis associated with ductal stones: long-term results. Gastrointest Endosc 1996;43:547-555. 6. Alhalel R, Haber GB. Endoscopic therapy of pancreatic stones. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am 1995;5:195-215. 7. Fuji T, Amano H, Ohmura R, Akiyama T, Aibe T, Takemoto T. Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy: technique and evaluation. Endoscopy 1989;21:27-30. 8. Kim MH, Myung SJ, Kim YS, et al. Routine biliary sphincterotomy may not be indispensable for endoscopic pancreatic sphinc- terotomy. Endoscopy 1998;30:697-701. 9. Elton E, Howell DA, Parsons WG, Qaseem T, Hanson BL. Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy: indications, outcome, and a safe stentless technique. Gastrointest Endosc 1998;47:240-249. 10. Jakobs R, Benz C, Leonhardt A, Schilling D, Pereira-Lima JC, Riemann JF. Pancreatic endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with chronic pancreatitis: a single-center experience in 171 consecutive patients. Endoscopy 2002;34:551-554. 11. Choi HS. Endoscopic Pancreatic drainage procedure. Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 1997;16(suppl.):47-55. 12. Cotton PB, Lehman G, Vennes J, et al. Endoscopic sphincterotomy complications and their management: an attempt at consensus. Gastrointest Endosc 1991;37:383-393. 13. Kozarek RA, Ball TJ, Patterson DJ, Brandabur JJ, Traverso LW, Raltz S. Endoscopic pancreatic duct sphincterotomy: indications, technique, and analysis of results. Gastrointest Endosc 1994;40: 592-598. 14. Kim MH, Lee SK, Min YI, Lee SG, Min PC. 146 Cases of endoscopic sphincterotomy. Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 1991;11:329-334. 15. Sherman S, Lehman GA. Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy: techniques and complications. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am 1998;8:115-124. 16. Hookey LC, RioTinto R, Delhaye M, Baize M, Le Moine O, Deviere J. Risk factors for pancreatitis after pancreatic sphinc- terotomy: a review of 572 cases. Endoscopy 2006;38:670-676. 17. Son HY, Lee SK, Song MH, et al. Clinical application and safety of endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy in 339 cases. Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2005;31:155-160.