Does a pancreatic duct stent prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis? A prospective randomized study.

Background: Pancreatitis is the most frequent complication of ERCP. Injury to the papilla during ERCP could obstruct pancreatic duct outflow and initiate pancreatitis. A randomized prospective study was performed to evaluate the effect of pancreatic duct stent placement on the frequency and severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis in a selected group of patients.

"Tannenbaum" Teflon stents versus traditional polyethylene stents for treatment of malignant biliary stricture.

Background: Premature stent clogging is the major limitation with plastic stents used in the treatment of malignant biliary structures. A pilot study suggested improved duration of patency of the Tannenbaum stent compared with polyethylene stents. The aim of this prospective, multicenter randomized trial was to compare the Tannenbaum Teflon stent with a conventional polyethylene endoprosthesis (Cotton-Leung biliary stent set) for the treatment of malignant biliary strictures.