Efficacy of Pancreatic Stenting After Clearance of Pancreatic Stones

Abstract

Treatment of strictures of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) with pancreatic stenting after endoscopic clearance of the pancreatic stones may reduce the recurrence of pancreatic symptoms. Therefore, we analyzed the efficacy of pancreatic stenting after stone extraction. Sixty-one patients with MPD stones were treated endoscopically and 24 of 41 patients with MPD strictures received stenting therapy. The recurrence of any pancreatic symptoms was seen in 28 cases (46%) in the mean follow up period of 3.3 years. The relative risk for the recurrence of pancreatic symptoms was related to the duration of chronic pancreatitis. The hazard ratio of stricture and stent for recurrence of symptoms was 2.3 (p=0.12) and 0.35 (p=0.057), respectively. Additional stenting for MPD after extraction of pancreatic stones might be effective in patients with pancreatic stones and severe strictures in MPD. A better protocol for stenting could reduce the recurrence of pancreatic symptoms.