A prospective study of pancreatic duct stent in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis of difficult bile duct cannulation

Objective To investigate the efficacy of pancreatic duct stent in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis （PEP） of difficult bile duct cannulation. Methods A total of 120 patients who underwent diffi- cult bile duct cannulation during routine ERCP were randomized to receive pancreatic duct stent placement （ S group ） or not （ NS group）, and the incidence of PEP, hyperamylasemia and scores of abdominal pain were analyzed. Results There were 15 cases of hyperamylasemia and 5 cases of PEP occurred in S group, but no severe PEP was observed. The score of abdominal pain was （3.82 ± 1.48） in S group. There were 18 cases of hyperamylasemia and 14 cases of PEP occurred, including 2 severe PEP in NS group. The score of abdominal pain was （7.48 ± 1.93 ） in NS group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of hy- peramylasemia between the two groups （P 〉 0. 05）. The incidence of PEP, severe PEP and the scores of ab- dominal pain were lower in the S group （P 〈 0.05 ）. Conclusion Placement of pancreatic duct stent can re- duce the PEP rate of difficult bile duct cannulation and relieve the abdominal pain. Key words: Cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrograde;  Pancreatic duct stent ;  Post-ER-CP pancreatitis