Efficacy and safety of temporary biliary stent for prevention of post-ERCP cholangitis after endoscopic common bile duct stone removal: a retrospective study
Although post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) cholangitis (PEC) is not as severe as post-ERCP pancreatitis, this complication should not be disregarded. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a temporary biliary stent for prevention of PEC. Between April 2011 and May 2017, 190 patients underwent complete stone removal in a first session of ERCP at our hospital. Using propensity score matching, 72 pairs were enrolled in this study. After common bile duct (CBD) stone removal, the endoscopists decided to insert a temporary biliary stent if necessary. The incident rate of PEC was significantly lower in the stent group than the no-stent group (1% vs. 11%, p = 0.03). The length of hospital stay was also significantly shorter in the stent group than the no-stent group (5 days vs. 7 days, p < 0.01). In the stent group, one case had stent migration into the bile duct and two cases had a mooring stent at the papilla after 1 month. Multivariate analysis identified the pancreatic guide wire technique as a risk factor for PEC. We demonstrated that a temporary biliary stent reduced the incidence of PEC significantly and the outcome of its placement contributed to shortening the hospital stay. Furthermore, the placement of a temporary biliary stent caused fewer adverse effects than expected. Mooring stents were noted in three cases, which were confirmed by plain abdominal X-ray, but the patients had no symptoms. In two cases, the stent remained in the orifice of the papilla, and in one case it migrated into the CBD. All three stents were retrieved by elective endoscopic procedures. In conclusion, a temporary biliary stent can reduce the incidence of PEC and shorten the length of hospital stay without severe adverse outcomes.
