Background/PurposeThe prevention of pancreatic fistula is still a major problem in distal pancreatectomy (DP). We have recently adopted preoperative endoscopic pancreatic stenting with the aim of preventing the leakage of pancreatic juice from the resection plane of the remnant pancreas after DP. We reviewed ten patients who underwent this intervention.MethodsOne to 6 days before surgery, the patients underwent an endoscopic transpapillary pancreatic stent (7 Fr., 3 cm) placement. The perioperative short-term outcomes were assessed.ResultsPreoperative endoscopic pancreatic stenting was successfully performed in all ten patients. Two (20%) patients, both with intraductal papillary mucinous tumor, developed mild acute pancreatitis after the stent placement. None of the ten patients developed pancreatic fistula. The pancreatic stent was removed 8–28 days (mean, 11 days) postoperatively.ConclusionsPreoperative endoscopic pancreatic stenting may be an effective prophylactic measure against pancreatic fistula development following DP. |