Pancreatic duct stents

Pancreatic duct stenting using endoscopy or surgery is widely used for the management of benign and malignant pancreatic diseases. Endoscopic pancreatic stents are mainly used to relieve pain caused by chronic pancreatitis and pancreas divisum, and to treat pancreatic duct disruption and stenotic pancreaticointestinal anastomosis after surgery. They are also used to prevent postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis and postoperative pancreatic fistula, treat pancreatic cancer, and locate radiolucent stones. Recent advances in endoscopic techniques, such as endoscopic ultrasonography and balloon enteroscopy, and newly designed stents have broadened the indications for pancreatic duct stenting. In this review we outlined the types, insertion procedures, efficacy, and complications of endoscopic pancreatic duct stent placement, and summarized the applications of pancreatic duct stents in surgery.

Automated summary

Pancreatic duct stenting is a widely used method for managing pancreatic diseases. Endoscopic stents are used to relieve pain, treat disruptions and narrowings, prevent complications, treat cancer, and locate stones. Recent advances in techniques and stent designs have expanded the indications for pancreatic duct stenting. This review outlines the types, procedures, efficacy, and complications of endoscopic stent placement, and summarizes their applications in surgery.