Endoscopic transpapillary pancreatic stenting for internal pancreatic fistula with the disruption of the pancreatic ductal system.

Background: Internal pancreatic fistula (IPF) is a well-recognized complication of pancreatic diseases. Although there have been many reports concerning IPF, the therapy for IPF still remains controversial. We herein report our experiences with endoscopic transpapillary pancreatic stent therapy for IPF and evaluate its validity.

Method: Six patients with IPF who presented at our department and received endoscopic transpapillary pancreatic stent therapy were investigated, focusing on the clinical and imaging features as well as treatment strategies, the response to therapy and the outcome.

Results: All patients were complicated with stenosis or obstruction of the main pancreatic duct, and in these cases the pancreatic ductal disruption developed distal to the areas of pancreatic stricture. The sites of pancreatic ductal disruption were the pancreatic body in five patients and the pancreatic tail in one patient. All patients received endoscopic stent placement over the stenosis site of the pancreatic duct. Three patients improved completely and one patient improved temporarily. Finally, three patients underwent surgical treatment for IPF. All patients have maintained a good course without a recurrence of IPF.

Conclusion: Endoscopic transpapillary pancreatic stent therapy may be an appropriate first-line treatment to be considered before surgical treatment. The point of stenting for IPF is to place a stent over the stenosis site of the pancreatic duct to reduce the pancreatic ductal pressure and the pseudocyst's pressure.