A Short Fully Covered Self-Expandable Metal Stent for Management of Benign Biliary Stricture Not Caused by Living-Donor Liver Transplantation.

Background: This study evaluated the effectiveness of short fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMS) with an anti-migration design in treating benign biliary strictures (BBS) not related to living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 75 patients who underwent FCSEMS insertion for BBS management. Stents were initially kept for 3 months and exchanged every 3 months until stricture resolution. Adverse events and stricture recurrence after FCSEMS removal were assessed during follow-up. Results: The study outcomes were technical success, stenosis resolution, and treatment failure. Technical success was 100%, with stricture resolution in 99% of patients. The mean onset time of BBS post-surgery was 4.4 years, with an average stent indwelling period of 5.5 months. Stricture recurrence occurred in 20% of patients, mostly approximately 18.8 months after stent removal. Early cholangitis and stent migration were noted in 3% and 4% of patients, respectively. Conclusions: This study concludes that short FCSEMS demonstrate high efficacy in the treatment of non-LDLT-related BBS, with a low incidence of interventions and complications. Although this is a single-center, retrospective study with a limited sample size, the findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the use of short FCSEMS as a primary treatment modality for BBS. To substantiate these findings, further research involving multicenter studies is recommended to provide additional validation and a broader perspective.

A Successful Treatment of Broncho-Esophageal Fistula with Esophageal Stenting Using Direct Endoscopic Visualization.

Broncho-esophageal fistula (BEF) is a severe yet relatively rare connection between the bronchus and esophagus usually caused by esophageal and pulmonary malignancies. We present a case report of a 49-year-old man diagnosed with terminal lung carcinoma who developed a BEF. The thoracic computed tomography scan detected a mass in the left bronchi that partially covers and disrupts the bronchial contour in certain regions and extends to the esophageal wall. After thoroughly evaluating alternative treatment approaches, we opt for the stenting procedure due to the advanced stage of the tumor and the significantly diminished quality of life. The treatment involves the use of a partially covered metal stent that is known to exhibit lower potential to migrate. The treatment is highly successful, resulting in a significant enhancement of the patient's quality of life, a lengthening in his survival, and the ability to pursue additional palliative treatment options. In contrast to the typical prosthesis implantation, our procedure uses a direct endoscopic visualization for the proximal deployment of a partially covered stent, offering a cost-effective and radiation-free alternative that can be particularly beneficial for BEF patients in facilities without radiology services.

Efficacy of esophageal stents as a primary therapeutic option in spontaneous esophageal perforations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Background: Spontaneous esophageal perforation traditionally mandates urgent surgical treatment. Lately, esophageal stents have been used to reduce the associated morbidity and mortality. The current systematic review aimed to assess the efficacy of stents as a primary treatment option in this scenario. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and the Cochrane Library for studies published in the English language between 2000 and 2023. We included observational studies reporting on the use of stents, alongside conservative measures and drainage procedures, in patients with spontaneous esophageal perforations. Primary outcomes were sealing rate (persistent leak occlusion) and failure rate (mortality or conversion to a major surgical operation). Secondary outcomes included patients' presentation, sepsis, drainage procedures, and reinterventions. Results for primary outcomes were presented as pooled rates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), using a random-effects model. Methodological quality was assessed using the MINORS score. Results: Eighteen studies involving 171 patients were included. Sealing rate was 86% (95%CI 77-93%) and failure rate was 14% (95%CI 7-22%). Weighted mortality rate was 6% (95%CI 2-13%), while conversion to surgical treatment was 2% (95%CI 0-9%). Late presentation was not related to a statistically significant increase in treatment failure (odds ratio 1.85, 95%CI 0.37-9.30; P=0.72). Drainage procedures were required for the majority of patients, with a high rate of surgical and endoscopic reinterventions. Conclusions: Our results imply that stents may offer an effective and safe alternative treatment for patients with spontaneous esophageal perforations. Additional endoscopic and surgical drainage procedures are frequently needed.

Current paradigm of endoscopic ultrasound in biliary and pancreatic duct drainage: an update.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the workhorse for biliary and pancreatic ductal interventions. Despite advances in both endoscopes and accessories for ERCP, it still has limitations in the presence of altered anatomy, luminal obstruction hindering access to the papilla, and proximal duct obstructions by tight stricture, calculi or intraductal growth. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) and EUS-guided pancreatic duct drainage (EUS-PDD) have expanded the rescue procedures after failed ERCP. This review discusses the techniques and results of various EUS-BD procedures, as well as EUS-PDD.

Utility of Covered Self-Expanding Metal Stents for Biliary Drainage during Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the utility of covered self-expanding metal stents (CSEMSs) with that of plastic stents (PSs) for biliary drainage during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Forty patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer underwent biliary stenting during neoadjuvant chemotherapy at Hiroshima University Hospital. PSs and CSEMSs were placed in 19 and 21 patients, respectively. Two gemcitabine-based regimens for chemotherapy were used. Treatment outcomes and postoperative complications were compared between both groups. RESULTS: The incidence of recurrent biliary obstruction was significantly lower in the CSEMS group (0% vs. 47.4%, p < 0.001), and the median time to recurrent biliary obstruction in the PS group was 47 days. There was no difference in the incidence of other complications such as non-occlusive cholangitis, pancreatitis, and cholecystitis between the two groups. Delays in the chemotherapy schedule due to stent-related complications were significantly frequent in the PS group (52.6% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: CSEMSs may be the best choice for safely performing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for several months in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer with bile duct stricture.

Influence of endoscopists' expertise level on clinical outcomes after bridge-to-surgery stenting in obstructive colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effect of stenting-related factors, including endoscopists' expertise, on clinical outcomes after bridge-to-surgery (BTS) stenting for obstructive colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: We analyzed BTS stenting-related factors, including stenting expertise and the interval between stenting and surgery, in 233 patients (63 [13] years, 137 male) who underwent BTS stenting for obstructive CRC. We evaluated the influence of these factors on post-BTS stenting clinical outcomes such as stent-related complications and cancer recurrence. RESULTS: The interval between stenting and surgery was ≤ 7 days in 79 patients (33.9%) and > 7 days in 154 patients (66.1%). BTS stenting was performed by endoscopists with ≤ 50, 51-100, and > 100 prior stenting experiences in 94, 43, and, 96 patients, respectively. The clinical success rate of BTS stenting was 93.1%. Stent-related and postoperative complications developed in 19 (8.2%) and 20 (8.6%) patients, respectively. Cancer recurrence occurred in 76 patients (32.6%). Short BTS interval of ≤ 7 days increased the risk of postoperative complications (odds ratio [OR], 2.61 [1.03-6.75]; P = 0.043). Endoscopists' stenting experience > 100 showed greater clinical success of stenting (OR, 5.50 [1.45-28.39]; P = 0.021) and fewer stent-related complications (OR, 0.26 [0.07-0.80]; P = 0.028) compared with stenting experience ≤ 50. BTS stenting-related factors did not affect long-term oncological outcomes. CONCLUSION: Greater expertise of endoscopists was associated with better short-term outcomes, including high stenting success rate and low rate of stent-related complications after BTS stenting for obstructive CRC. An interval of > 7 days between BTS stenting and surgery was required to decrease postoperative complications.

EUS-Guided Choledocho-duodenostomy Using Lumen Apposing Stent Versus ERCP With Covered Metallic Stents in Patients With Unresectable Malignant Distal Biliary Obstruction: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (DRA-MBO Trial).

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Several studies have compared primary endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided biliary drainage to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with insertion of metal stents in unresectable malignant distal biliary obstruction (MDBO) and the results were conflicting. The aim of the current study was to compare the outcomes of the procedures in a large-scale study. METHODS: This was a multicenter international randomized controlled study. Consecutive patients admitted for obstructive jaundice due to unresectable MDBO were recruited. Patients were randomly allocated to receive EUS-guided choledocho-duodenostomy (ECDS) or ERCP for drainage. The primary outcome was the 1-year stent patency rate. Other outcomes included technical success, clinical success, adverse events, time to stent dysfunction, reintervention rates, and overall survival. RESULTS: Between January 2017 and February 2021, 155 patients were recruited (ECDS 79, ERCP 76). There were no significant differences in 1-year stent patency rates (ECDS 91.1% vs ERCP 88.1%, P = .52). The ECDS group had significantly higher technical success (ECDS 96.2% vs ERCP 76.3%, P < .001), whereas clinical success was similar (ECDS 93.7% vs ERCP 90.8%, P = .559). The median (interquartile range) procedural time was significantly shorter in the ECDS group (ECDS 10 [5.75-18] vs ERCP 25 [14-40] minutes, P < .001). The rate of 30-day adverse events (P = 1) and 30-day mortality (P = .53) were similar. CONCLUSION: Both procedures could be options for primary biliary drainage in unresectable MDBO. ECDS was associated with higher technical success and shorter procedural time then ERCP. Primary ECDS may be preferred when difficult ERCPs are anticipated. This study was registered to Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03000855.

Fluoroscopic Removal of Embedded Esophageal Self-Expanding Metal Stents: Stent-in-Stent Combined with Guidewire Lasso Technique.

We report the use of the guidewire lasso technique for the removal of an embedded esophageal self-expanding metal stent (SEMS), following a failure of distal to proximal invagination by removal hook caused by stent incorporation. During a removal procedure of an embedded SEMS using the hook retrieval device, the strut fractured and the stent retained. Attempts to pull up the retained stent using hook were not effective. Thus, the lasso technique with a guidewire over the retained stent was performed and successfully removed with no procedure-related complications. The patient is alive without dysphagia after 3 months follow-up.

Endoscopic removal of a retained esophageal stent using the stent-in-stent technique.

Video 1Stent-in-stent technique for removal of retained esophageal self-expanding metal stent.

Short benign ileocolonic anastomotic strictures - management with bi-flanged metal stents: Six case reports and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: The endoscopic management of benign short post-anastomotic ileocolonic stricture (PAICS) that is refractory to primary and secondary treatment modalities remains challenging. The lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) is a novel device recently developed for therapeutic gastrointestinal endoscopy. LAMSs have demonstrated significantly better results with regard to stent migration than fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMSs). CASE SUMMARY: This article presents six cases of symptomatic PAICS successfully treated with a LAMS and a review of the relevant literature. We report a life-saving technique not previously documented and the use of technology to improve patient outcomes. The six patients (median age, 75 years) suffered from vomiting, constipation and recurrent abdominal pain, with symptoms starting 23-25 wk post-surgery. The median stricture length was 1.83 cm. All six patients underwent successful and uneventful bi-flanged metal stent (BFMS)-LAMS placement for benign PAICS. All patients remained asymptomatic during the three months of stent indwelling and up to a median of 7 mo after stent removal. According to the literature, the application of LAMS for PAICS is associated with a < 10% risk of migration and a < 5% risk of bleeding. Conversely, FCSEMS has a high migration rate (15%-50%). CONCLUSION: The evolving role of interventional endoscopy and the availability of LAMSs provide patients with minimally invasive treatment options, allowing them to avoid more invasive surgical interventions. The BFMS (NAGI stent) is longer and larger than the prototype AXIOS-LAMS, which should be considered in the management of short ileocolonic post-anastomotic strictures longer than 10 mm and shorter than 30 mm.

Long-term treatment of an ischemic jejunal stricture: Is stenting a viable option?

Video 1Management of jejunal stricture with stenting.

Tratamiento endoscópico de una fístula aguda tras gastrectomía vertical laparoscópica / Endoscopic treatment of an acute fistula after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy / Tratamento endoscópico de uma fístula aguda após gastrectomia vertical laparoscópica

La fístula gástrica aguda es una de las principales complicaciones vinculadas a la gastrectomía vertical laparoscópica (GVL). Existen múltiples opciones terapéuticas para su resolución, siendo el tratamiento endoscópico mediante colocación de clips o stents uno de los más importantes. La aplicabilidad de cada método va a depender del tipo de fístula y del estado del paciente. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 35 años, que desarrolla una fístula aguda posterior a una GVL. Se realiza tratamiento endoscópico con colocaciónn del sistema "over-the-scope clip" (Ovesco®) a nivel del orificio fistuloso, con posterior colocaciónn de stent metálico auto expandible.

Acute gastric fistula is one of the main complications associated with laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy (LVG). There are multiple therapeutic options for its resolution, being endoscopic treatment by placing clips or stents one of the most important. The applicability of each method will depend on the type of fistula and the patient's condition. We present the case of a 35-year-old woman who developed an acute fistula after LGV. Endoscopic treatment is performed with placement of the over-the-scope clip system (Ovesco®) at the level of the fistulous orifice, with subsequent placement of a self-expanding metal stent.

A fístula gástrica aguda é uma das principais complicações associadas à gastrectomia vertical laparoscópica (GVL). Existem múltiplas opções terapêuticas para a sua resolução, sendo o tratamento endoscópico com colocação de clipes ou stents uma das mais importantes. A aplicabilidade de cada método dependerá do tipo de fístula e do estado do paciente. Apresentamos o caso de uma mulher de 35 anos que apresentou uma fístula aguda após GVL. O tratamento endoscópico foi realizado com a colocação do sistema de clipe over-the-scope (Ovesco®) no nível do orifício fistuloso, com posterior colocação de stent metálico autoexpansível.

Multidisciplinary, minimally invasive approach for oesophageal perforations with delayed presentation.

Background: The present study aims to report the outcomes of a multidisciplinary, minimally invasive approach to treating patients with delayed presentation of oesophageal perforation. Patients and Methods: The present study is a retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained data at a tertiary care centre. All patients with oesophageal perforation presenting over 48 h after the onset of symptoms and without oesophageal obstruction were included in the study. Self-expanding Metallic Stent (SEMS) or endoscopic clip placement was performed in all the patients, followed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) debridement and decortication of pleural cavity collection. 'Success' was defined as, discharge without the need of oesophageal diversion and complete healing of leak site at 8 weeks with successful removal of the stent. Results: Between March 2012 and December 2019, 12 patients (10 males, median age of 55 years- range of 39-71 years) with oesophageal perforation and delayed presentation underwent treatment with this approach. Ten patients had spontaneous perforation (83.3%) and one patient each had upper gastrointestinal endoscopy-induced and post-traumatic perforation. The median duration of symptoms was 8 days (range 3-31 days). SEMS was placed in ten patients and, in two patients, an over-the-scope clip was used. VATS decortication was done in ten patients (83.3%) and the remaining two (16.7%) underwent VATS debridement. One patient required oesophageal diversion and another patient expired due to sepsis. The overall success with this approach was 83.3%. Conclusion: This multidisciplinary, minimally invasive approach is feasible in patients with thoracic oesophageal perforation and delayed presentation, with a high success rate.

Delayed Bronchial Obstruction following Esophageal Stent Implantation: A Case Report.

Airway compression is a rare complication of esophageal stent placement. With the introduction of self-expanding metal stents, the incidence of bronchial obstruction by esophageal stents has decreased. Delayed external airway compression after esophageal stent implantation is rarely reported. We describe a case of left main bronchial obstruction after self-expandable esophageal stent placement. A 70-year-old patient with advanced esophageal cancer visited the emergency room (ER) with worsening cough and dyspnea. He had received palliative concurrent chemoradiotherapy after esophageal self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) insertion three months ago. One month before the ER visit, additional esophageal SEMS placement (stent-in-stent) was performed owing to the development of a tracheoesophageal fistula. After hospitalization, chest radiography revealed a patchy consolidation in the left lower lobe. A diagnosis of pneumonia was made, and the patient was treated with antibiotics. Seven days after antibiotic treatment, the patient developed a fever and severe dyspnea. Auscultation revealed the absence of breath sounds in the left hemithorax. A follow-up chest radiograph showed a white-out of the left hemithorax. Flexible bronchoscopy revealed luminal narrowing of the left main bronchus (LMB) due to external compression. Chest computed tomography further demonstrated compression of the LMB by esophageal stents. This case highlights that esophageal SEMS can present as an emergent and often life-threatening airway obstruction.

Quadruple, 4-segment, triple sector "Y-shaped stents" in complex hilar cholangiocarcinoma after cholangitis from plastic stents.

Video 1Video showing successful placement of 4 uncovered self-expanding metal stents in a stent-in-stent, Y-shaped configuration for cholangitis from plastic stents in a patient with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.

Colonic stenting as a bridge to surgery for obstructive colon cancer: is it safe in the long term?

BACKGROUND: The placement of a self-expanding metal stent in patients with obstructive colon cancer is used as a bridge to surgery. However, due to a lack of consensus and insufficient data, the long-term oncologic outcomes after colonic SEMS placement remain unclear. We assessed the long-term oncologic outcomes and adverse effects of colonic stenting for malignant colonic obstruction. METHODS: We included 198 patients admitted to Korea University Anam Hospital between 2006 and 2014 for obstructive colon cancer, of whom 98 underwent SEMS placement as a bridge to surgery and 100 underwent direct surgery without stenting. The clinicopathologic characteristics, overall survival, and disease-free survival were compared. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in long-term oncologic outcomes between the two groups. The median follow-up durations were 61.55 and 58.64 months in the SEMS and DS groups, respectively. There were also no significant differences in the 5-year OS (77.4% vs. 74.2%, p = 0.691) and 5-year DFS (61.7% vs. 71.0%, p = 0.194) rates between the groups. However, the DS group had significantly more early postoperative complications (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Colonic SEMS deployment as a bridge to surgery did not negatively affect long-term oncologic outcomes when compared with DS. In addition, colonic stenting decreased early postoperative complications and reduced the time for patients to return to normal daily activities.

Long-term outcomes of fully covered self-expanding metal stent for benign refractory pancreatic stenosis (with video) / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective:To investigate the safety and long-term outcomes of fully covered self-expanding metal stent (FCSEMS) placement in patients with benign refractory pancreatic stenosis.Methods:Data of 18 patients with benign refractory pancreatic stenosis who underwent endoscopic treatment with FCSEMS in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between March 2013 and July 2020 were collected. The technical success, clinical success, adverse events and long-term outcomes were analyzed.Results:FCSEMS placement was successful in all 18 patients, with technical success rate of 100.0% (18/18). After stenting, the visual analogue scale (VAS) significantly decreased [2.00 (1.75, 3.00) VS 6.00 (5.00, 7.00), Z=-3.572, P<0.001]. The VAS decreased by more than 50% in 15 cases, and the clinical success rate was 83.3% (15/18). Stent-related adverse events included intolerable pain in 3 patients, stented-induced de novo stricture in 2 patients, and distal migration of stent in 2 patients. The stents were successfully removed in all patients after 137.5 (59.0, 417.0) days. There was significant reduction in terms of decreased upstream ductal dilatation after stent removal [9.1 (6.7, 14.1) mm VS 11.0 (7.6, 16.2) mm, Z=10.508, P<0.001]. After stent removal, 10 of the 14 patients maintained the response to pancreatic stenting and 4 recurred during the follow-up of 37-1 246 days. Conclusion:FCSEMS placement appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of benign refractory pancreatic stenosis and can provide persistent improvement in the stricture.

Comparison of fully covered self-expanding metal stents and multiple plastic stents for benign biliary strictures / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective:To compare the fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMS) and multiple plastic stents (MPS) in the effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness for benign bile duct strictures.Methods:A single-center retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 107 patients with benign biliary strictures who underwent FCSEMS or MPS implantation through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in Hangzhou First People's Hospital from January 2013 to June 2019.There were 54 cases in group FCSEMS and 53 cases in group MPS. Benign biliary stricture was confirmed by computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic ultrasonography. The primary index was the rate of stricture remission, and the secondary indices were the incidence of stricture recurrence, ERCP-related complications, the rate of stent migration, hospital stay and charges.Results:The median follow-up times were 10.0 (6.5, 18.0) months and 12.0 (9.0, 20.0) months in group FCSEMS and in group MPS respectively ( P>0.05). The rates of stricture remission in the two groups were 87.0% (47/54) and 83.0% (44/53), the incidences of stricture recurrence were 14.6% (6/41) and 23.5% (8/34), and the incidences of ERCP-related complications were 14.8% (8/54) and 11.9% (13/109), respectively. And the differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). But the stent migration rates of the two groups were 22.9% (11/54) and 2.8% (3/109) with significant difference ( P<0.001). Cost-effectiveness analysis showed that the median numbers of ERCP intervention in the two groups were 2 (2,2) times and 3 (2,4) times ( P<0.001), and the median hospital stays were 6.0 (4.0,11.0) days and 9.0 (6.5,16.0) days respectively ( P=0.009). The median hospitalization expenses of the two groups were 44 646 yuan and 51 355 yuan without significant difference ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The effectiveness, safety and cost of FCSEMS for benign bile duct stenosis are similar to those of MPS, but it reduces ERCP intervention and treatment cycles. Even with a certain migration rate, it can still be a first-line treatment approach.

A Novel Hybrid Stent with Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy for Treating Leaks of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract.

INTRODUCTION: Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are an established option for treating leaks in the upper gastrointestinal tract, and endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) has become a promising alternative. A novel approach is the use of an esophageal hybrid SEMS (VACStent®), which can maintain esophageal passage during EVT. We present the first study demonstrating successful use of the VACStent® for treating leaks of the upper gastrointestinal tract. METHOD: We performed a retrospective, single-center study of all patients who underwent endoscopic stenting with the VACStent® of leaks in the upper gastrointestinal tract. RESULTS: Indications for treatment with the VACStent® were: iatrogenic esophageal perforation (n = 1), spontaneous perforation (n = 2), esophageal fistula (n = 2), and anastomotic leak after upper gastrointestinal surgery (n = 5). Successful application of the VACStent® was achieved in all patients (n = 10; 100%) with a total of 15 interventions. VACStent® therapy was used as a first-line treatment in 5 patient (success rate 80%; 4 out 5 patients) and as a second-line treatment after failed previous endoscopic therapy in 5 patients (success rate 60%; 3 out of 5 patients). Overall, VACStent® treatment was successful in 70% of the patients (7 out of 10). No severe VACStent® treatment-related adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: The initial experience has been that the technical application of the VACStent® is safe and technically feasible. However, due to the small number of patients this study could not show the clear advantages of this novel hybrid stent. More studies are necessary to show significant advantages.

EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collection, using a modified technique of cystotome alone without a FNA needle.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage for pancreatic fluid collection (PFC) involves puncture with a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) needle, followed by tract dilation involving exchange of multiple accessories, and finally deployment of stent. The procedure is time consuming and carries a risk of loss of wire access and hence technical failure. We used a modified technique with a 10-F cystotome alone instead of a FNA needle and dilators. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed records of consecutive patients who had undergone EUS-guided drainage of PFC using a modified technique, with puncture of PFC using a 10-Fcystotome, followed by passage of a guidewire through it into the PFC cavity and deployment of a biflanged, 2-cm-long, fully covered self-expanding metal stent over it. Technical and clinical success rates and procedure time were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-five patients underwent PFC drainage, median age was 35 (12-76), and 35 (77.8%) were males. The median (range) duration of symptoms was 125 (38-1080) days, while the median PFC size was 11.8 × 11 × 11 cm, and the follow-up period after stent removal was 111 ± 72 (18-251) weeks. The procedure took 10 (8-12) min and had technical and clinical success rates of 100 and 97.8%, respectively. Minor complications occurred in six (13.3%) patients, while recurrence occurred in one. CONCLUSION: EUS-guided drainage of PFC using a cystotome is a quick, effective and safe procedure. It may also be less expensive since it obviates the use of FNA needles and dilators, and is likely to be a useful alternative to the conventional technique.