Predictors of outcome in pancreatic duct disruption managed by endoscopic transpapillary stent placement

The aim of this study was to identify predictors of outcome for pancreatic duct (PD) disruption managed by endoscopic transpapillary stent insertion.

An endoscopy database was used to identify patients with PD disruption, defined as extravasation of contrast from the PD during ERCP. Data collected included demographic information, the results of imaging studies, management before endoscopic intervention, and outcomes after stent placement. Stents typically were exchanged at intervals of 6 to 8 weeks. Success was defined as clinical and pancreatographic resolution of the PD disruption.

Ninety-seven consecutive patients (34 women, 63 men; mean age, 53.7 [12.3] years) with PD disruption seen from 1995 to 2002 were identified. Causes of the disruption were the following: chronic pancreatitis (47), acute pancreatitis (44), operative injury (4), and trauma (2). Transpapillary PD stent insertion was technically successful in 92 (95%) patients; two underwent a combined cystenterostomy. The median duration of stent placement was 58 days (range 4-640 days). The outcome of stent insertion was successful in 52 patients (55%), unsuccessful in 32 (36%), and indeterminate in 8 (9%). On univariate analysis, a partially disrupted PD (p < 0.001), a disruption in the body of the pancreas (p = 0.04), a stent positioned to bridge the disruption (p < 0.001), and a longer duration of stent therapy (p = 0.03) were associated with a successful outcome. On multivariable logistic regression, only a partially disrupted duct and a stent bridging the disruption correlated with a successful outcome. Complications occurred in 6 patients.

Successful resolution of PD disruption by transpapillary stent insertion depends on the type of disruption and the ability to bridge the disrupted duct with a stent.