Risk stratification for the development of post-ERCP pancreatitis by sphincter of Oddi dysfunction classification.

OBJECTIVES: To explore whether there is a difference in the frequency of postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis in patients with manometrically confirmed sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) types I, II, and III. METHODS: A retrospective review of all of the patients who underwent an ERCP with SOD type I or patients with manometrically confirmed SOD type II or type III (mean basal sphincter pressure ≥ 40 mm Hg) from 2006 to 2010 was performed. The primary outcome measure was development of post-ERCP acute pancreatitis in each of the SOD groups. Factors associated with acute pancreatitis in each group were examined by univariate analysis. RESULTS: We identified 147 patients with SOD. Biliary sphincterotomy was performed in all of the patients, and pancreatic sphincterotomy was performed in 68 of the 147 (46%). All of the patients underwent stenting of the pancreatic duct. Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in 23% of the study cohort. Patients with SOD type III had a higher frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis compared with the SOD type I and type II groups (31% vs 20% vs 6%, respectively; P = 0.024). Those with SOD type III had a greater frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis (odds ratio 6.7; P = 0.05) compared with those with SOD type I. Patients with SOD type III had a two times greater frequency of developing post-ECRP pancreatitis compared with those with SOD type II. CONCLUSIONS: SOD type III is strongly associated with the development of post-ERCP pancreatitis compared with SOD type I.

Placement of fully covered self-expandable metal stents in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer before neoadjuvant therapy.

BACKGROUND: Most patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer requiring neoadjuvant therapy have significant dysphagia. OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in using a fully covered self-expandable metal stent (FCSEMS) to treat malignant dysphagia and for maintenance of nutritional support during neoadjuvant therapy. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Two tertiary-care referral centers. PATIENTS: This study involved 55 patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer (50 adenocarcinoma, 5 squamous cell carcinoma). Forty-three patients were men, and the mean age was 65.8 years. INTERVENTION: EUS followed by FCSEMS placement. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Procedural success, dysphagia scores, patient weights, stent migration, and stent-related complications. RESULTS: All stents were successfully placed. Tumors were located in the middle esophagus (n = 10) and distal esophagus (n = 45). The mean dysphagia score obtained at 1 week after stent placement had improved significantly from baseline (2.4 and 1, respectively; P < .001). Patients maintained their weights at 1 month follow-up when compared with baseline (153 and 149 pounds, respectively; P = .58). Immediate complications included chest discomfort in 13 patients; 2 patients required stent removal because of intractable pain. One patient had stent removal because of significant acid reflux. Stent migration occurred at some point in 17 of 55 patients (31%). There was a delayed perforation in 1 patient. Because of disease progression or the discovery of metastasis after neoadjuvant therapy, only 8 of 55 patients underwent curative surgery. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective study. CONCLUSION: Placement of FCSEMSs in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer significantly improves dysphagia and allows for oral nutrition during neoadjuvant therapy. FCSEMSs appear to be effective for palliating dysphagia. Migration was not associated with injury or harm to the patient and usually represented a positive response to neoadjuvant therapy. Few patients undergoing stenting in this situation ultimately undergo surgery because of disease progression or poor operative candidacy.