Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Pancreatic ERCP in Pre-Teens: A Swedish Single Center Study

Background/Objectives: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in children with acute or chronic pancreatitis, or following pancreatic trauma, is technically demanding and may be associated with an increased risk of complications. Evidence on technical success and complication rates in preadolescent children is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of ERCP with pancreatic stenting in children with pancreatic conditions. Methods: In this retrospective single-center cohort study, consecutive patients aged ≤12 years who underwent ERCP with pancreatic stenting for acute or chronic pancreatic diseases or pancreatic trauma were included. Demographic, clinical, and procedural data were collected, and complications and clinical response, were assessed. Results: A total of 20 patients (mean age 7 years, range 2-12; 45% female) underwent 62 ERCP procedures for pancreatic indications. Nine patients (45%) had a known genetic mutation. Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in 2 procedures (3.2%), and bleeding in 1 procedure (1.6%). No perforations or procedure-related mortality were observed. Technical success was achieved in 57/62 procedures (91.9%), with associated improvement in symptoms, pain, or inflammatory markers. Conclusions: In this pilot study from Sweden, ERCP with pancreatic stenting appears to be a feasible therapeutic option in pre-teen children with pancreatic diseases, with a good technical success rate and relatively low complication rates. Further studies are warranted to better define long-term outcomes in this population.