EUS-TD With Multiple Plastic Stents for Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula: A Retrospective Evaluation of Early...

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a serious complication that can lead to potentially fatal outcomes; therefore, early intervention with drainage is warranted whenever clinically feasible. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural drainage (EUS-TD) is becoming an alternative to percutaneous drainage for managing POPF. While EUS-TD is increasingly used, there is no consensus on stent type or the need for external drainage in early postoperative EUS-TD for POPF. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of EUS-TD using multiple plastic stents (PSs) without external drainage for managing POPF within postoperative day 15.

This retrospective case series included 11 patients who developed POPF and underwent EUS-TD within postoperative day 15 between January 2021 and June 2024. The primary outcome was clinical success of EUS-TD with multiple PSs without external drainage. Secondary outcomes included technical success, complications, length of hospital stay, and recurrence rate.

Eleven POPF patients underwent EUS-TD. Two or more PSs were successfully placed in all cases, with clinical success achieved in 10 of 11 cases. One case required additional percutaneous drainage. A pseudoaneurysm rupture occurred in one case and was successfully managed with interventional radiology. The mean length of hospital stay was 19.1 days. No recurrences were observed during a median follow-up period of 26.0 months. Stents were removed after 6 months or later.

EUS-TD using multiple PSs without external drainage may be a feasible approach for managing POPF within postoperative day 15. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these findings and optimize early postoperative management strategies for POPF.