The role of endoscopy in patients with chronic pancreatitis

•ERCP and EUS are useful for the diagnosis of CP and associated pancreatic ductal complications (B).•ERCP for the diagnosis of CP should be reserved for patients in who the diagnosis has not been established by noninvasive or less-invasive studies (C).•Endoscopic therapy of pancreatic ductal obstruction can provide short-term relief of abdominal pain and long-term relief in some patients (B).•ERCP is effective for the short-term treatment of common bile duct obstruction resulting from CP (B) and long-term treatment in poor operative candidates (C).•Endoscopically placed pancreatic duct stents are effective for the nonsurgical management of pancreatic strictures, duct leaks, and disruptions (B).•EUS-guided celiac blockade can effectively provide short-term pain relief in patients with CP (B). © 2006 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.