EUS-guided drainage of peripancreatic fluid collections and necrosis by using a novel lumen-apposing stent: a large retrospective, multicenter U.S. experience (with videos).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: EUS-guided drainage of peripancreatic fluid collection (PFC) (pancreatic pseudocyst [PP] or walled-off necrosis [WON]) by using a novel lumen-apposing, fully covered, self-expandable metal stent (LAMS) has been promising, but few of these data are from the United States. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and safety of EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts and WON by using the LAMS.

METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study on 82 patients with symptomatic PFC who underwent EUS-guided drainage by using the LAMS at 4 U.S. tertiary care centers. Outcomes evaluated included successful placement of the LAMS, the number of patients in whom complete resolution of PPs or WON was achieved, the number of procedures performed per patient to achieve PFC resolution, and adverse events.

RESULTS: The mean size of the PFC was 11.8 cm. LAMSs were successfully placed in 80 patients (97.5%). Twelve patients had PP and 68 had WON. The median stent in-dwelling time was 2 months (range 1-3 months). Endoscopic debridement with the LAMS in WON was performed in 54 patients. The patency of the stent was maintained in 98.7% of the patients (77/78). There was spontaneous dislodgment of 2 LAMSs. Successful endoscopic therapy by using the LAMS was successful in 12 of 12 patients (100%) with PP compared with 60 of 68 patients (88.2%) with WON. All stents were endoscopically removed from all patients after peripancreatic fluid collection (PFC) resolution. There was 1 PFC recurrence during the 3-month median follow-up period. Procedure-related adverse events occurred in 8 patients (9.8%), and included stent maldeployment (n = 2), and self-limited bleeding (n = 6). In 1 patient with stent maldeployment gastric perforation developed, and the patient underwent surgical repair.

CONCLUSION: EUS-guided drainage of PFCs by using the novel LAMS has high technical and long-term success rates. Due to its ease of use, the LAMSs may simplify and streamline EUS-guided management of PFCs, particularly for the endoscopic debridement of WON, and may help in its widespread adoption as an alternative to surgery.