Open AccessEndoscopic Placement of Pancreatic Stents and Drains in the Management of Pancreatitis
Author(s) -
Richard A. Kozarek,
David J. Patterson,
Terrence J. Ball,
L. William Traverso
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
annals of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.153
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1528-1140
pISSN - 0003-4932
DOI - 10.1097/00000658-198903000-00002
Subject(s) - medicine , pancreatitis , pancreatic duct , pancreatic pseudocyst , surgery , stent , endoscopy , sphincter , pancreas , stenosis , general surgery , radiology
Although widely used in the biliary tree, little data is available on endoscopic placement of stents or drains within the pancreas. This report describes 17 patients, nine with acute relapsing pancreatitis and eight with chronic pancreatitis, who had drain or stent placement for hypertensive pancreatic duct (PD) sphincter, dominant ductal stenosis, duct disruption, or pseudocyst. Two patients have subsequently undergone surgery, and six other patients continue long-term stent placement with marked reduction of chronic pain or attacks of recurrent pancreatitis. All six pseudocysts resolved, although one recurred and required surgery. It is concluded that pancreatic drains or stents may obviate the need for surgery, temporize before definitive therapy, or direct a subsequent surgical procedure.