Successful endoscopic retrieval of a migrated pancreatic stent using a basket catheter for peroral cholangioscopy through a biliary plastic stent pusher tube: a case report / Journal of Rural Medicine

Objective: Retrieval is challenging once prophylactic pancreatic stents migrate deep into the pancreatic duct. Herein, we describe a case of successful endoscopic retrieval of a migrated prophylactic pancreatic stent using a basket catheter through a biliary plastic stent pusher tube.Patient: A 71 year-old man was referred to our hospital for removal of a straight-shaped migrated 5-Fr 3-cm prophylactic pancreatic stent with a flap on the duodenal side. There were no subjective symptoms at the time of the hospital visit.Results: During endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, we inserted an 8.5-Fr plastic biliary stent pusher tube in front of the migrated pancreatic stent. The stent was then grasped using a basket catheter for peroral cholangioscopy through the biliary stent pusher tube. The stent was pulled into the pusher tube and was successfully retrieved from the pancreatic duct. No complications were associated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.Conclusion: Although rare, prophylactic pancreatic duct stent migration after pancreatic duct guidewire placement should be noted. In our case, endoscopic retrieval of a migrated prophylactic pancreatic stent using a basket catheter for peroral cholangioscopy through the biliary plastic stent pusher tube was successful.

Extracción endoscópica de cálculos pancreáticos en pancreatitis crónica para evitar reagudizaciones / Endoscopic extraction of pancreatic stones in chronic pancreatitis with the aim to prevent acute flares

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is defined by chronic inflammation of the pancreas with progressive replacement by fibrosis that produces characteristic morphological changes. The clinical picture is variable, being the main problem the pain and relapses of pancreatitis with possible local complications. Over time, the result is the development of exocrine and endocrine failure. In the initial phase, flare-ups of CP can not be distinguished from recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP). If there are intraductal stones in the duct of Wirsung, endoscopic extraction of obstructive stones may be the first step to prevent new relapses and complications. We present the case of a patient with five episodes of acute pancreatitis (AP), three of them in the past five months. The patient was referred for study and management of RAP. His recent imaging study already showed dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, calcifications and pancreatic stones, compatible with CP. Although the hypertriglyceridemia participated in the etiology of AP, the last two episodes already occurred with normal values of triglycerides. Another possible etiologic factor was not found. His laboratory results did not show endocrine or exocrine insufficiency. The patient was treated with papillotomy, pancreatic stone extraction and installation of terapeutic pancreatic stent. He has been asymptomatic, free from new episodes of AP in the past six months. In conclusion, the CP is one of the possible causes of RAP. Endoscopic treatment by obstructive stone extraction is an efficient therapy to avoid new relapse.

La pancreatitis crónica (PC) se define por la inflamación crónica del páncreas con reemplazo progresivo por fibrosis que produce cambios morfológicos característicos. El cuadro clínico es variable, siendo el principal problema el dolor, reagudizaciones de pancreatitis con eventuales complicaciones locales. Con el tiempo, el resultado final es el desarrollo de insuficiencia exocrina y endocrina. En la fase inicial, no se puede distinguir las reagudizaciones de la PC de una pancreatitis aguda recurrente (PAR). Si se encuentran cálculos intraductales en el conducto de Wirsung, la extracción endoscópica de cálculos obstructivos puede ser el primer paso para prevenir nuevas recaídas y complicaciones. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con cinco episodios de pancreatitis aguda (PA), tres de ellos en los últimos cinco meses. El paciente fue derivado para estudio y manejo de PAR. Su estudio imagenológico reciente ya demostró dilatación del conducto pancreático principal, calcificaciones y cálculos pancreáticos, compatible con PC. Aunque la hipertrigliceridemia participó en la etiología de las PA, los últimos dos episodios ocurrieron con valores normales de triglicéridos. No se encontró otro factor etiológico posible. Su estudio de laboratorio no mostró insuficiencia exocrina ni endocrina. El paciente fue tratado mediante papilotomía, extracción de cálculos pancreáticos e instalación de prótesis pancreática terapéutica. Ha estado asintomático, libre de nuevos episodios de PA en los seis meses transcurridos. En conclusión, la PC es una de las posibles causas de PAR. El tratamiento endoscópico mediante extracción de cálculos obstructivos es una terapia eficiente para evitar nuevas recaídas.

Value of pancreatic stent placement for endoscopic resection of duodenal papilla adenoma / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To assess the application value of pancreatic stent placement for endoscopic resection of duodenal major papilla adenoma.Methods A total of 67 cases of duodenal major papilla adenoma that were confirmed by biopsy and underwent endoscopic papillectomy from August 2007 to July 2016 in endoscopy center of Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing were analyzed retrospectively.There were 50 patients treated with pancreatic stent placement and 17 patients without as the control group.The general information, efficacy and complications of two groups were collected at the same time.Results There were no significant differences in gender(P=0.070), age(P=0.151) or tumor size(P=0.136) between pancreatic stent placement group and the control group.There were no statistical differences in en bloc resection rates or complete resection rates between the two groups.And there were no significant differences in short-term complications of bleeding(P=0.428), pancreatitis(P=0.982), cholangitis(P=1.000), perforation(P=1.000)or long-term complications of distal common pancreatic duct stricture between the two groups.Conclusion Pancreatic stent should not be routinely placed in endoscopic papillectomy, and should be considered for specific cases.

The Prevention and Management of Post-ERCP Pancreatitis / 대한췌담도학회지

Complications that may occur after an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure include pancreatitis, bleeding, cholangitis, cholecystis, perforation, and post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Of these, PEP is the most common complication and 10% of patients can die from severe pancreatitis. Prevention of PEP requires the selection of an appropriate patient group according to their ERCP indications and a full awareness of the risk factors. The incidence rate can be reduced to some extent through medication and ERCP manipulation changes. The use of a spile through the guidewire during ERCP manipulation and temporary pancreatic duct stent insertion can be effective, and the administration of suppository NSAIDs as medication reduces the occurrence of PEP. Drugs such as glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), nafamostat, and somatostatin can be considered as the second best treatment in the cases where NSAIDs are contraindicated or where a plastic catheter cannot be inserted or fails after insertion into the pancreatic duct.

The Prevention of Pancreatitis after Endoscopic Papillectomy; Stent versus No Stent / 대한췌담도학회지

Endoscopic papillectomy (EP) has been considered to be a less invasive, alternative therapy to surgery for ampullary adenoma. However, complication rates after EP could not be ignored, when compared to endoscopic resection for gastrointestinal lesions. Among them, the prevalence of postpapillectomy pancreatitis is higher in EP than ERCP. The prophylactic placement of a pancreatic stent has been reported to decrease the risk of pancreatitis after EP. However, since pancreatic stent placement after EP is not always successful, various novel techniques have been developed to ensure reliable stent placement. Despite the recent advances in EP, a prospective, randomized, controlled study with a larger number of patients is needed to assess the efficacy of pancreatic stent placement to prevent pancreatitis.

Prevention of Postendoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis: The Endoscopic Technique

Pancreatitis is the most frequent and distressing complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Many recent studies have reported the use of pharmacological agents to reduce post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP); however, the most effective agents have not been established. Reduction in the incidence of PEP in high-risk patients has been reported through specific cannulation techniques such as guide wire-assisted cannulation and the use of pancreatic stents. The present review focuses on ERCP techniques for the prevention of PEP.

Prophylactic Pancreatic Stent Placement for Endoscopic Duodenal Ampullectomy: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the efficacy of prophylactic pancreatic stent placement for preventing postprocedure pancreatitis in patients undergoing endoscopic papillectomy. METHODS: This retrospective study included 82 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic papillectomy for benign ampullary neoplasm at Samsung Medical Center between August 2002 and June 2011. The patients were subdivided into two groups, namely, those who received prophylactic pancreatic stent placement and those who did not. Patient demographics, baseline blood test, tumor characteristics, and endoscopic treatment data were collected. The primary endpoint was postprocedure pancreatitis. RESULTS: There was no difference in the development of postprocedure pancreatitis between the stent group and the no stent group (6/54, 10.5% and 2/28, 7.14%, respectively; p=1.00). At baseline, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of their risk factors for pancreatitis except pancreatic duct dye injection. The stent group was more likely to have dye injection than the nonstent group (100% vs 42.8%, p<0.001). However, in a logistic regression analysis, no significant difference was observed in the risk factors for pancreatitis including dye injection. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that routine prophylactic pancreatic duct stent placement in all patients undergoing endoscopic papillectomy may not be necessary and that large-scale prospective studies are required to identify the subgroup of patients who would benefit.

Meta-analysis of external stent versus no stent for pancreaticojejunostomy / 国际外科学杂志

Objective To systematically evaluate the postoperative pancreatic fistula rate,overall postoperative morbidity rate,overall postoperative mortality rate and length of stay in external stent group versus no stent group for pancreaticcoduodenectomy.Methods The Cochrane Library,PubMed,Embase and CBM data bases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials that compared the effectiveness of external stent versus no stent for pancreaticcoduodenectany.Meta-analysis was performed using the software RevMan 5.2.Results Four trials with 416 patients comparing external stent with no stent were included,the external stent group with 207 patients and the no stent group with 209 patients.The Meta-analysis revealed that,compared the external stent group with the no stent group,the rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula was significantly reduced in the external stent group [RR =0.57,95％ CI(0.41,0.80),P =0.001],especially for the patinets of pancreatic diameter ≤ 3.0 mm[RR =0.55,95 ％ CI(0.37,0.82),P =0.003] and soft pancreatic [RR =0.67,95 ％ CI(0.45,0.99),P =0.040],the overall postoperative morbidity rate of external stent group versus.no stent group was reduced[RR =0.79,95 ％ CI (0.64,0.98),P =0.030],and length of stay was shortened [WMD =-3.98,95％ CI(-6.42,-1.54),P =0.001].There was no difference between the two groups regarding the postoperative pancreatic fistula rate of diameter ＞ 3.0 mm [RR =0.37,95 ％ CI(0.08,1.83),P =0.220],and the overall postoperative mortality rate [RR =0.86,95 ％ CI(0.28,2.65),P =0.800].Conclusions Exental stent significantly reduced the postoperative pancreatic fistula rate and overall postoperative morbidity rate 、shortened the length of stay,and thus it can be identified as a preferable option for Pancreaticcoduodenectomy.

Clinical analysis and treatment strategy of ten cases of pancreatic duct stent displacement complicated with acute pancreatitis / 中华消化杂志

Objective To investigate clinical features and treatment strategy for pancreatic duct stent displacement complicated with acute pancreatitis.Methods Ten cases of pancreatic duct stent displacement complicated with acute pancreatitis were retrospectively analyzed.All the cases were confirmed by lab examination,X-ray examination,endoscopy and computed tomography (CT) examination.After operation,the clinical symptoms of patients were observed.Time consumed for stent removing and blood amylase level before endoscopic retrograde cholargio-pancreatography (ERCP) and 1st,4th,7th day after ERCP were recorded.Clinical features,the time of stent displacement,time of clinical cure and therapeutic strategy were summarized.Results The average age of the ten cases (four male and six female) was 55.9 years.All the displaced pancreatic duct stents were pancreatic duct stent with side wing,length five to seven cm.Obstruction was observed in one case.The end of the pancreatic duct stent of two cases dislocated at the neck of pancreats,seven cases at the head of pancreas and one at the body of pancreas.Ten cases presented with abdominal pain,seven with nausea and vomiting and one with fever.The average time of the occurrence of pancreatic duct stent displacement was 2.9 months.All the stents were successfully taken out,which of two cases were removed with balloon,seven cases with forcep and one with snare,and the average time duration was 17.7 min.After the stents taken out,pancreatic duct stent was replaced in one case and the left nine cases received nasal-pancreatic drainage treatment.After the operation,no severe complications such as pseudocyst of pancreas,pancreatic abscesses,pancreatic necrosis and gastrointestinal bleeding were observed in all the patients.Average blood amylase level at 1st,4th and 7th day after ERCP was 508 U/L,137 U/L and 86 U/L,respectively.The average time of recovery was 6.7 days,and the average time of keeping the nasal-pancreatic tube was 8.6 days.Conclusions For patients with pancreatic duct stent displacement complicated with acute pancreatitis,it is safe and effective to take out the stent and perform pancreatic duct drainage by ERCP as soon as possible,which could improve the symptoms in a short time.

Prevention of pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with different methods:a Meta analysis / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of different methods in preventing pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).Methods Databases including PubMed,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,Chinese Journal Full-text Database,China Biomedicine Database were searched with key words including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography,ERCP,post-ERCP pancreatitis,pancreatitis,pancreatic duct stent,non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs,indometacin,diclofenac,protease inhibitors,nafamostat,ulinastatin,gabexate,somatostain,内镜逆行胰胆管造影,内镜逆行胰胆管造影术后胰腺炎,胰腺炎,胰管支架置入,非甾体类抗炎药,吲哚美辛,双氯芬酸,抑酶剂,萘莫司他,乌司他丁,加贝酯and生长抑素.Literatures published between January 2000 and January 2014 were searched.Randomized controlled studies on prevention of pancreatitis after ERCP which were enrolled in this study were analyzed by 2 independent reviewers.The quality of the literatures was evaluated.All data were analyzed using the RevMan 5.0 software.Data were expressed in odds ratio (OR) and 95％ confidence interval (95％ CI).The heterogeneity of the studies was analyzed using the I2 test.Results Twenty-seven literatures were enrolled in the study.There were 4 701 patients in the experimental group (including patients who were treated by pancreatic stent installation,non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs,nafamostat,ulinastatin,gabexate,intravenous infusion of somatostain for more than 6 hours,intravenous infusion of somatostain for less than 6 hours,bolus injection of somatostain) and 3 592 patients in the control group (including patients treated without pancreatic duct installation or placebo).The results of Meta analysis showed that pancreatic stent installation,non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs,nafamostat,intravenous infusion of somatostain for more than 6 hours and bolus injection of somatostain could significantly decrease the incidence of pancreatitis after ERCP (OR =0.18,0.45,0.31,0.33,0.25,95％ CI:0.09-0.35,0.33-0.61,0.19-0.52,0.20-0.56,0.11-0.55,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Pancreatic stent installation,non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs,nafamostat,intravenous infusion of somatostain for more than 6 hours and bolus injection of somatostain could effectively prevent the incidence of pancreatitis after ERCP.

Clinical analysis of endoscopic treatment of recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective To investigate the characteristics of etiology,efficacy of endoscopic management for recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis (RIP).MethodsThe clinical data of 58 cases of RIP diagnosed in our hospital from April 2005 to April 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.All the patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP),and patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction received manometry.According to the clinical and ERCP manifestations,the etiologies of RIP were determined and individualized endoscopic treatment was applied.The patients were followed-up postoperatively about the improvement of abdominal pain and recurrence of RIP.ResuItsFifty-eight patients (29 males,29 females) were suffered from acute pancreatitis from 3 to more than 10 times.The etiologies were as follows:29 cases of biliary microlithiasis,19 case of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction ( 16 cases of pancreatic type,3 cases of mixed type),4 cases of anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary duct,and 6 cases of normal manifestations at ERCP.Biliary sphincterotomy alone was performed in 33 patients,while both biliary and pancreatic sphincterotomy was performed in 8 patients,and pancreatic sphincterotomy alone was performed in 17 patients,after sphincterotomy,pancreatic stent insertion was performed in 24 patients.The follow-up data was obtained from 41 out of 58 patients,the follow-up period ranged from 3 ～ 67 months ( average 33 months).During this period,9(22.0％ ) patients suffered from RIP,and the treatment efficiency was 78％.ConclusionsBiliary microlithiasis and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction are the main causes of RIP.Drink could induce RIP.ERCP has definite treatment efficacy for RIP.

Wire-Guided Endoscopic Snare Retrieval of Proximally Migrated Pancreatic Stents after Endoscopic Papillectomy for Ampullary Adenoma

With the increasing use of pancreatic duct (PD) stents after endoscopic papillectomy (EP), complications such as proximal migration of the stent have become increasingly prevalent. A PD stent that migrates within a nondilated PD may be difficult to remove endoscopically. We performed endoscopic retrieval of proximally migrated PD stents after EP in 5 patients. Endoscopic retrieval was performed immediately after EP in one patient, the next day in 3 patients, and 2 weeks later in one patient. Wire-guided endoscopic retrieval was attempted in 4 patients, and the migrated stents were removed successfully in these 4 patients. No significant procedure-related complications occurred, other than mild pancreatitis in a single patient. In one patient, endoscopic retrieval performed immediately after EP failed when using the conventional method, and the migrated stent was removed using a minisnare without a guidewire the next day; this patient developed severe pancreatitis. Wire-guided endoscopic snare retrieval seems to be a safe and effective method for removing proximally migrated PD stents after EP.

Non-pharmacologic prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis: Recent progress / 第二军医大学学报

ERCP has become an important method for diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases, but the high incidences of post-ERCP complications (PEP), especially for post-ERCP pancreatitis, have limited its application. Prevention of PEP has become a focus of ERCP-related studies. Current drug prevention of PEP is not satisfactory, and there has not been a single drug which can effectively prevent PEP. In contrast, non-pharmacologic preventive techniques such as pancreatic stent placing and guide wire cannulation have been proven to have prominent effects in preventing PEP, which brings new hopes for PEP prevention. This paper reviews the studies on non-pharmacologic prevention of PEP.

Endoscopic Treatment of Main Pancreatic Duct Transection, Accompanied with Pseudocyst after Abdominal Trauma, with Using Pancreatic Duct Stent: A Case Report / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Pancreatic trauma is uncommon, but this is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Unrecognized main pancreatic duct injury results in early complications such as fistula, pseudocyst, abscess, hemorrhage and pancreatitis. The management of traumatic pseudocyst includes observation, external drainage, internal drainage and operation. The treatment modality is determined by the site and extent of the injury to the main pancreatic duct. Pancreatic stents have been widely used to treat pancreatic diseases such as pancreatitis, pseudocyst, fistula and stricture. Pancreatic stenting has been proven to be effective in the treatment of traumatic pseudocyst associated with the partial rupture of the main pancreatic duct. Surgical treatment is currently the main stay of therapy for complete transection of the main pancreatic duct accompanied with pseudocyst, but the role of pancreatic stenting has not been established. Herein we present our clinical experience with endoscopic treatment for main pancreatic duct transection, accompanied with pseudocyst after abdominal trauma, with using a pancreatic stent.

Endoscopic Retrieval of a Proximally Migrated Stent in the Dorsal Duct of Pancreas Divisum / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Endoscopic treatment of chronic pancreatitis by stent insertion is an accepted procedure, but various complications can be induced, including proximal migration of the stent. Many techniques are used to retrieve proximally migrated, pancreatic stents. We here report a case of a proximally migrated stent into the dorsal duct of a pancreas divisum, which was retrieved endoscopically by using a mini-snare. A 39-year-old female patient had chronic pancreatitis with divisum. A stent was inserted into the dorsal duct to relieve the chronic pain. After two months, sudden epigastric pain developed due to proximal migration of the stent. The pancreatic stent was retrieved successfully with one endoscopic attempt using a mini-snare. The epigastric pain resolved after retrieval of the stent. Our observation is that pancreatic stent migration may cause severe abdominal pain and that endoscopic retrieval is possible.

The Role of Endoscopic Retrograde Pancreatography for Traumatic Pancreatic Duct Injury / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Backgroud/Aims: Because the status of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) is the most important determinant for pancreatic trauma associated morbidity and mortality, early diagnosis and optimal treatment are critical, especially in MPD injury. METHODS: Twenty-three pancreatic trauma patients were divided into two groups according to the interval between trauma and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP). The clinical and laboratory findings, CT and ERP results were described. The treatment modality and its clinical outcome were assessed according to ERP findings. RESULTS: The pancreatic duct was injured in 14 of the 23 trauma patients: 11 MPD injuries and 3 branching duct injuries. CT scan correctly predicted the MPD injury in only 6 (54.5%) of the 11 patients, whereas ERP correctly demonstrated the origin and the degree of pancreatic duct injury in all patients. Through contrast leakage from the MPD into peritoneal cavity, ERP confirmed an MPD injury in 8 patients and they underwent surgical exploration. Three patients who showed parenchymal leakage from branching duct recovered with conservative treatment. Transpapillary pancreatic stents were successfully inserted into the distrupted MPD in 3 patients who showed that the contrast leakage was confined to the pancreatic parenchyme and they achieved complete resolution of the pancreatic leaks after a 3-month follow-up period. The late ERP group (>72 hours after trauma) had a significantly higher pancreas associated complication rate and a tendency to a longer hospital stay than the early ERP group. CONCLUSIONS: Early ERP is the most useful tool for demonstrating the presence of MPD injury as well as planning the optimal treatment modality according to the degree of pancreatic duct injury.

The Role of Endoscopic Retrograde Pancreatography for Traumatic Pancreatic Duct Injury / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Backgroud/Aims: Because the status of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) is the most important determinant for pancreatic trauma associated morbidity and mortality, early diagnosis and optimal treatment are critical, especially in MPD injury. METHODS: Twenty-three pancreatic trauma patients were divided into two groups according to the interval between trauma and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP). The clinical and laboratory findings, CT and ERP results were described. The treatment modality and its clinical outcome were assessed according to ERP findings. RESULTS: The pancreatic duct was injured in 14 of the 23 trauma patients: 11 MPD injuries and 3 branching duct injuries. CT scan correctly predicted the MPD injury in only 6 (54.5%) of the 11 patients, whereas ERP correctly demonstrated the origin and the degree of pancreatic duct injury in all patients. Through contrast leakage from the MPD into peritoneal cavity, ERP confirmed an MPD injury in 8 patients and they underwent surgical exploration. Three patients who showed parenchymal leakage from branching duct recovered with conservative treatment. Transpapillary pancreatic stents were successfully inserted into the distrupted MPD in 3 patients who showed that the contrast leakage was confined to the pancreatic parenchyme and they achieved complete resolution of the pancreatic leaks after a 3-month follow-up period. The late ERP group (>72 hours after trauma) had a significantly higher pancreas associated complication rate and a tendency to a longer hospital stay than the early ERP group. CONCLUSIONS: Early ERP is the most useful tool for demonstrating the presence of MPD injury as well as planning the optimal treatment modality according to the degree of pancreatic duct injury.

Endoscopic pancreatic stent insertion and drainage / 中国实用内科杂志

Objective To investigate the indication and therapeutic effect of endoscopic pancreatic stent insertion. Meth-ods 13 procedures of endoscopic sphincter incision,2 procedures of endoscopic pancreatic stone picking,3 procedures ofendoscopic papilla adenoma or carcinoma resection. 10 procedures of endoscopic stenosis dilatation and 20 procedures ofendoscopic pancreatic stent insertion were performed on 9 cases of chronic pancreatis (in which 3 cases had pancreaticstone), 1 case of acute recurrent pancreatis.4 cases of pancreatic cancer and 3 cases of papilla adenoma or carcinoma.The duration of stent preserve was 2 weeks to 8 months, average 3. 43 months. Results Remission of abdominal pain,improvement of appetite and digestive function was found in 16 cases. 12～35 months (average 26. 17 months) of follow-up was performed on patients of pancreatitis after the stents were removed. 7 cases had no recurrence of abdominal pain,3 patients still often had upper abdominal pain. Complications:3 cases had mild elevation of serum amylase and lipase. 1case had obstructive jaundice. Conclusion Endoscopc pancreatic stent insertion and drainage is suitable for pancreaticduct obstruction caused by chronic pancreatitis or cancer. It can alleviate symptoms and has reliable therapeutic effect andgood security.

ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT IN PANCREAS DIVISUM / 解放军医学杂志

To assess the therapeutic value of endoscopic treatment in pancreas divisum(PD), 5 cases of PD from January 1993 to December 2001 were involved and analyzed retrospectively. Dilatation of minor papilla by passage of a balloon was used in one patient, and tapered catheter passed over guide wire was used in three patients, whereas endoscopic minor papilla sphincterotomy was used in one patient. Pancreatic stents were put into the accessory pancreatic duct in three patients after endoscopic minor papilla dilatation or sphincterotomy. The diameter of the stents was 7F and the length was 3 5cm, 5cm and 6cm. Severe pancreatitis, hemorrage or perforation was not found after endoscopic treatment, except in two patients the serum amylase level elevated within 24h and returned normal after 48h. After endoscopic treatment the remission rate of abdominal pain was up to 100%. By follow up for 5～36 months (average 18 months), no relapse of abdominal pain and complications were found except one patient who had stent occlusion and replaced by a new stent. So endoscopic treatment is a safe and effective therapeutic technique for symptomatic PD and should be used as the first choice.

Research about prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis by pancreatic stents / 中国实用内科杂志

Post-ERCP pancreatitis(PEP) is the most common and serious complications about endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).A number of studies have been confirmed that PEP can be prevented by pancreatic stents.We summarized earlier results in this field to expand the clinical use for this high-tech.