Efficacy and safety of prophylactic pancreatic duct stent (Pit-stent) placement in patients at high risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis

Background: The usefulness of prophylactic pancreatic stent placement for preventing post-endoscopic-retrograde cholangiopancreatography (FRCP) pancreatitis has been reported. We developed a new pancreatic duct stent, which was a 5 Fr, 4 cm-long stent with a single duodenal pigtail (Pit-stent). Patients and Methods: Pancreatic duct stenting using a Pit-stent was attempted in 76 patients (40 men, 36 women; mean age, 65 years; age range, 42-91 years) at high risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis. The frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis and spontaneous passage of the stent were investigated. Results: Pancreatic duct stent placement was successfully performed in 93% of the patients. One patient developed mild pancreatitis after ERCP (1.4%). Spontaneous passage of the stent was observed in 92%. There were no other complications or procedure-related deaths in this group. Conclusions: Pancreatic duct stent insertion may reduce the incidence of post-FRCP pancreatitis in patients at high risk of post-FRCP pancreatitis. Spontaneous migration of a pancreatic stent that contributes to a lessening of the need for additional ERCP can be expected with the use of a Pit-stent.