Background and study aims: Placing small stents in the pancreatic duct at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
reduces the risk of pancreatitis. However, this practice means that a second procedure
might be required to remove the stent, and stents can also damage the duct. The aims
of this study were to determine the frequency of spontaneous dislodgment and to assess
the incidence of stent-induced ductal irregularities.
Patients and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients seen over a 3-year
period (2001 - 2004) who had undergone placement of a 3-Fr pancreatic duct stent and
in whom the fate of the stent had been documented. Radiographs were reviewed to determine
stent passage at 30 days. If applicable, follow-up pancreatograms were reviewed to
assess for stent-induced ductal abnormalities. Statistical analysis was performed
using chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests for proportions, and 95 % binomial confidence
intervals (CI) were calculated.
Results: Records for 125 consecutive patients who had had 3-Fr pancreatic stents placed were
reviewed. The stents had passed spontaneously within 30 days in 110/125 patients (88
%). In the remaining 15 patients (12 %, 95 % CI 6.9 % - 19 %), the stents were still
present on follow-up radiographs after a median time of 36 days, (range 31 - 116 days).
Stent length, pancreatic sphincterotomy, and pancreas divisum had no effect on the
likelihood of spontaneous passage. No stent-induced ductal irregularities were observed.
Conclusions: Nearly 90 % of prophylactic 3-Fr pancreatic duct stents pass spontaneously within
30 days, and these stents were not observed to induce changes in the pancreatic duct.
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C. Lawrence, MD
Digestive Disease Center
Medical University of South Carolina
96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Suite 210
POB 250327
Charleston
South Carolina 29425
USA
Fax: +1-843-792-1707
eMail: Lawrench@musc.edu