Routine Stent Placement in Endoscopic Management of Appendicitis: Necessity or Optional?

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endoscopic Surgery

Background:

• Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) aims to manage appendicitis via endoscopic intervention.
• Stent placement is a key technique in ERAT to ensure appendiceal lumen patency and drainage.
• The routine use of stents in ERAT is debated due to a lack of standardized guidelines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current literature on stent placement in ERAT for appendicitis.
• To provide a practical reference for clinicians regarding stent deployment strategies.
• To discuss the role of stents in reducing disease recurrence within ERAT.

Main Methods:

• Literature synthesis of recent studies on ERAT and appendiceal stent placement.
• Analysis of treatment strategies based on appendicitis stratification within ERAT.
• Review of clinical judgment factors influencing stent deployment decisions.

Main Results:

• Appendiceal stent placement can significantly reduce the risk of disease recurrence in ERAT.
• No standardized guidelines exist for routine stent use in ERAT, leading to operator-dependent decisions.
• Treatment strategies for ERAT vary across different appendicitis categories, influencing stent placement decisions.

Conclusions:

• Stent placement is crucial for effective drainage and obstruction relief in ERAT.
• Further research and guideline development are needed to standardize stent use in ERAT for appendicitis.
• Clinicians must weigh the benefits of stent placement against the current lack of consensus in ERAT protocols.