Management of afferent loop obstruction using multiple single-pigtail plastic stents in a patient with recurrent metastatic pancreatic cancer

Malignant afferent loop obstruction (mALO) is defined as duodenal or jejunal mechanical obstruction at the proximal anastomosis site of a gastrojejunostomy associated with locoregional tumor recurrence. As the general condition of patients with tumor recurrence is poor, accurate and rapid diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment are required [1].

A 76-year-old man presenting with abdominal pain and vomiting was admitted to our hospital. He had undergone a pancreaticoduodenectomy with Child’s reconstruction for pancreatic cancer 19 months previously. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed mALO ([Fig. 1 a]), multiple irregular wall thickening near the bile duct–jejunal anastomosis ([Fig. 1 b]), and locoregional recurrence of pancreatic cancer. As available endoscopic devices were limited for long small-bowel endoscopy (SBE), with 200 cm effective endoscopic length, and to connect multiple obstructive lesions into the normal jejunum individually, we performed the drainage procedure using multiple self-made single-pigtail plastic stents (SPPSs). To prepare the SPPSs, 7.5-Fr Flexima endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) tubes (Boston Scientific, USA) were cut into straight parts of 15 and 30 cm, and side holes were added. The remaining ENBD tube was used as a pusher catheter. SBE confirmed multiple stenoses due to direct tumor invasion ([Fig. 1 c, d]). SPPSs were inserted first into the left and right hepatic ducts ([Fig. 1 e]), then into the dilated deep small intestine near the jejunopancreatic anastomosis site ([Fig. 1 f]), and finally into the dilated jejunum near the bile duct–jejunal anastomosis. A total of four SPPSs were placed to drain individual stenoses ([Fig. 1 g, h]). CT 3 days later showed that the mALO had improved ([Fig. 2 a, b]). The patient received peaceful end-of-life care without symptoms of mALO thereafter ([Video 1]).

Fig. 1 Images show afferent loop dilatation with findings suggestive of recurrence of pancreatic cancer. a, b Abdominal computed tomography shows afferent loop dilatation and irregular wall thickening near the bile duct–jejunal anastomosis. c, d Small-bowel endoscopy and fluoroscopy show multiple stenoses due to direct tumor invasion. e Single-pigtail plastic stents (SPPSs) are inserted into the left and right hepatic ducts. f An SPPS is inserted into the dilated jejunum near the bile duct–jejunal anastomosis. g, h Endoscopy shows SPPSs placed to drain individual stenoses.

Fig. 2 Computed tomography 3 days after the endoscopic procedure: a confirmation of the locoregional recurrence of pancreatic cancer (asterisks); b evidence of improved afferent loop dilatation.

Video 1 Management of afferent loop obstruction using multiple single-pigtail plastic stents in a patient with recurrent metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Our procedure shows that the insertion of multiple SPPSs using long SBE can effectively resolve mALO with complex and multiple stenoses in inoperable patients.

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Publication History

Article published online:
25 August 2022

• Reference

• 1 Termsinsuk P, Chantarojanasiri T, Pausawasdi N. Diagnosis and treatment of the afferent loop syndrome. Clin J Gastroenterol 2020; 13: 660-668