Usefulness of an algorithm for endoscopic retrieval of proximally migrated 5Fr and 7Fr pancreatic stents

BACKGROUND: Proximal migration of pancreatic stent (PMPS) is an infrequent event but its management can be technically challenging and there are no standard retrieval methods. This study aimed to determine the results of an endoscopic stent retrieval algorithm in terms of feasibility and efficacy of the endoscopic procedure. METHODS: During the period from January 2008 to December 2009, 15 patients (8 women and 7 men with a mean age of 51.9 years) with PMPS were included in this study. Stent retrieval was approached initially with balloon extraction followed by rat-tooth forceps and basket. A rescue approach such as using a stent retriever was attempted when other approaches failed. RESULTS: All the PMPSs (six 5Fr, nine 7Fr) were retrieved successfully within one ERCP session. Balloon extraction was successful in 9 (60%) patients. In the 6 failed cases of balloon extraction, wire-guided rat-tooth forceps grasp was successful in 4, and stone extraction basket grasp was successful in 1 in whom forceps grasp failed. One stent was finally rescued with a stent retriever when balloon extraction, forceps and basket grasp all failed. In patients with successful balloon extraction, 44.4% (4/9) developed post-ERCP hyperamylasemia but none of them developed post-procedure pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: With this algorithm, 5Fr and 7Fr PMPS were successfully retrieved in all of the patients. Most PMPSs can be safely retrieved with the commonly-used approaches in this study. Those less used approaches can be used as a rescue method.