Routine Stent Placement in Endoscopic Management of Appendicitis: Necessity or Optional?

The primary goal of stent placement during endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) is to ensure effective drainage and alleviate luminal obstruction. Placement of a stent within the appendiceal lumen as a therapeutic intervention has been demonstrated to significantly reduce the risk of disease recurrence. Despite this, the routine use of drainage stents remains a subject of debate, and no standardized guidelines currently exist to direct their application. Consequently, the decision to deploy a drainage stent often relies on the operator's clinical judgment. Within the context of ERAT for appendicitis, treatment can be stratified into three categories, each associated with distinct strategies regarding routine stent placement. This review synthesizes recent literature and offers a practical reference for clinicians considering stent deployment across these different scenarios.