Outcomes of Endoscopic Papillectomy After an Insulated Plastic Pancreatic Stent Placement: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Insulated plastic pancreatic stent placement before endoscopic papillectomy (EP) was introduced to prevent post-EP pancreatic stenting difficulties, avoid stent transection during EP, and ensure a safe hemostatic procedure in cases of post-EP bleeding by securing the pancreatic orifice. This study aimed to evaluate the technical efficacy and long-term outcomes of this procedure.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 84 patients who underwent EP for ampullary adenomas between August 2006 and December 2020 was conducted using a 5-Fr polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-insulated handmade pancreatic stent.

RESULTS

EP after pancreatic stenting was successfully performed in 73/84 patients (86.9%). En bloc resection was performed in 59/73 patients (80.8%), and complete resection was achieved in 63/73 patients (86.3%). No stent transection was observed. Delayed bleeding was encountered in seven (9.6%) and 24 (32.9%) patients based on consensus guidelines and extended definitions, respectively. The incidence of pancreatitis was less frequent in the pre-EP pancreatic stenting group than in the post-EP pancreatic stenting group but statistically nonsignificant and underpowered (6.8 vs. 18.2%; p = 0.227, 95% confidence interval 0.046-4.030). In complete resection cases, tumor recurrence was encountered in six patients (8.2%) with surveillance for a median of 24 months. In the long term, one case (1.4%) of cholangitis and four cases (5.5%) of papillary structures developed.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulated PTFE plastic stent placement before EP may serve as an alternative to conventional EP, considering the feasibility of pancreatic stent placement, en bloc resectability, incidence of post-EP pancreatitis, and long-term oncological prognosis.