Endoscopy 2006; 38(3): 260-265
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-925052
Original Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of a Novel Pancreatic Stent Design on Short-Term Pancreatic Injury in a Canine Model

G.  S.  Raju1 , G.  Gomez1 , S. -Y.  Xiao1 , I.  Ahmed1 , D.  Brining1 , M.  S.  Bhutani1 , A. N.  Kalloo2 , P.  J.  Pasricha1
  • 1Center for Endoscopic Research, Training, and Innovation (CERTAIN), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
  • 2Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Submitted 19 April 2005

Accepted after revision 20 September 2005

Publication Date:
10 March 2006 (online)

Background and Study Aims: Attempts to address the problem of injury to the pancreas by indwelling pancreatic stents are limited by our lack of knowledge of the pathogenesis of stent-induced injury and its relationship to stent morphology and the duration of stenting. The aim of our study was to evaluate pancreatic injury induced by 1 week of stenting with a 5F indwelling pancreatic stent of novel design, the “wing stent.”
Methods: Pancreatic stents (5F) were placed surgically in eight dogs; wing stents (WS-5F) were used in four dogs and conventional stents (CS-5F) in another four. Two dogs underwent duodenotomy without stent placement (controls). The pancreas was harvested for microscopy at 1 week. A pathologist who was unaware of the source of the specimens graded the pancreatic injury.
Results: Although pancreatic injury was observed in both the CS-5F and WS-5F groups after 1 week of indwelling pancreatic stenting, it was considerably less severe in the WS-5F group compared with the CS-5F group (1.01 ± 0.10 vs. 1.63 ± 0.14, P < 0.01). All components of pancreatic injury were affected, with the most dramatic differences noted in inflammation, fibrosis, and edema. The differences were most marked in the stented segment (P < 0.001) and in the upstream segment of the pancreas (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Indwelling conventional pancreatic stents can cause significant pancreatic injury even when left in place for only 1 week. A wing design can significantly ameliorate stent-induced changes.

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P. J. Pasricha, MD

Center for Endoscopic Research, Training, and Innovation (CERTAIN) · Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pathology · University of Texas Medical Branch · Galveston, Texas, USA

4106 McCullough Building · 301 University Boulevard · University of Texas Medical Branch · Galveston, Texas 77555-0764 · USA

Fax: 01-409-772-4789

Email: jpasrich@utmb.edu

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