Long-term efficacy of a modified non-flared fully covered metal stent for benign main pancreatic duct strictures: results of a 6-year follow-up study

Aims Despite fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMSs) can be effective for the treatment of main pancreatic duct (MPD) strictures associated with chronic pancreatitis, relevant long-term results are rarely reported. We evaluated the long-term efficacy of the modified non-flared FCSEMS (M-FCSEMS) in patients with benign MPD strictures due to chronic pancreatitis.

Methods We reviewed our database for patients who underwent complete resolution of MPD stricture after placement of M-FCSEMS. The M-FCSEMS was placed intraductally or transpapillary according to the location and length of the stricture. Stent removal was performed at 3 months after placement. The primary outcome was the recurrence of MPD stricture that requires re-intervention during the follow-up period.

Results Endoscopic placement of M-FCSEMSs was technically successful for all 25 patients, and achieved the resolution of stricture. Intraductal placement was performed in 11 patients (44.0%). Intended stent removal was successful in all patients. Re-intervention for the management of MPD stricture recurrence was performed in 12.0% (3/25) of patients during 76.9 months of median duration of follow-up (interquartile range [IQR], 52.5 – 93.8 months). No FCSEMS-related de novo stricture was observed.

Conclusions These findings from long-term follow-up results suggest that M-FCSEMS shows long-term efficacy for stricture resolution without de novo stricture in patients with benign MPD stricture.

Conflicts of interest

Authors do not have any conflict of interest to disclose.

Publication History

Article published online:
14 April 2023