Wire-guided endoscopic snare papillectomy for tumors of the major duodenal papilla

Background: Endoscopic excision for adenoma of the major duodenal papilla was introduced as an alternative to surgery, but postprocedure pancreatitis is a serious drawback. This study assessed the feasibility and the safety of endoscopic papillectomy with a guidewire and pancreatic-duct stent insertion to prevent pancreatitis. Methods: Six patients were enrolled. The snare loop was passed over a guidewire that. had been inserted into the pancreatic duct. Immediately after snare resection, a pancreatic stent was placed along the indwelling guidewire. Results: En bloc papillectomy and pancreatic stent insertion were performed successfully in all patients. Pancreatitis did not develop acutely in any patient. Complications included cholangitis (n = 1) and late-onset pancreatitis owing to the pancreatic stent (n = 1). Scant residual adenomatous tissue was present at resection margins in two patients and was treated endoscopically. Conclusions: Wire-guided endoscopic snare papillectomy in selected patients is a useful technique that maintains pancreatic-duct access for stent placement. This appears to prevent pancreatitis and to improve the outcome for patients undergoing endoscopic resection of papillary tumors.