Endoscopic snare papillectomy for adenoma of the ampulla of vater: Long-term results in 135 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND

The premalignant nature of ampullary adenomas justifies their radical excision.

AIMS: Aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term results of endoscopic snare papillectomy in a consecutive series of patients with ampullary adenomas.

METHODS

Patients who underwent endoscopic snare papillectomy between October 1999 and October 2017 were identified from an electronic database. Endoscopic snare papillectomy was performed en bloc, when possible; a pancreatic stent or a nasopancreatic drainage were inserted. Endoscopic follow-up was scheduled after 3, 6 and 12 months for the first year, then yearly.

RESULTS

Endoscopic snare papillectomy was performed in 135 patients (70 M, mean age 60.5 years) by en bloc (83%) or piecemeal (17%) resection. Delayed bleeding occurred in 16 patients (11.8%), infected retroperitoneal collections in 6 patients (4.4%), pancreatitis in 4 patients (3%). One patient died (0.7%). Follow-up was available in 103/114 (90.3%) patients. In case of residual (24.3%) and recurrent (23.3%), adenomas endoscopic retreatment was successful in 42/49 cases (85.7%). After a mean follow-up of 40 months, 93.2% (96/103) of the patients were disease free

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic snare papillectomy of ampullary adenomas is effective with favorable long-term outcomes. Compliance to the scheduled follow-up is important for the early detection and re-treatment of recurrences.