Endoscopic stents drainage in patients with pancreas head carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of endoscopic palliative stents drainage in pa- tients with unresectable carcinoma at pancreas head. Methods Endoscopic stents placement was performed in 197 patients with unresectable pancreas head carcinoma, from August 2003 to August 2007, and the clini- cal data was studied retrospectively. Results Bile duct obstruction was present in all patients, in which 126 were accompanied with dilation of distal pancreatic duct, 91 with atrophy of pancrea body and tail. Stent placement in pancreatic duct was performed in 108 patients with a success rate of 96. 4% , and placement in bile duct was performed in all patients with a success rate of 99.0%. In 195 patients with successful stent placement, jaundice dissolved after the procedure. Of 101 patients who had abdominal pain, complete pain alleviation was achieved in 98, partially alleviation achieved in 3. Serum amylase level increased after the operation in 24 cases, which resumed to normal value after corresponding managements. All patients received a lifelong follow-up at mean duration of 373.57 ± 157.35 days, with a longest survival time of 842 days. Conclusion Endoscopic palliative stents drainage is safe and effective in patients with unreseetable pancreatic career, which might increase survival rate and improve life quality. Key words: Pancreas cancer; Endoscopes ; Stent ; Palliative treatment