Performance Characteristics of a Lumen-Apposing Metal Stent for Pancreatic Fluid Collections: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural drainage is the preferred management of pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs). Optimizing drainage is important and there remains debate as to the choice of stent. A recent trend towards the use of lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) has emerged. AIM: To evaluate the performance characteristics of a LAMS based on a prospective protocol (CT scan 1 week after placement to assess for resolution and need for necrosectomy followed by stent removal within 3 weeks). METHODS: This is a descriptive prospective cohort study performed at a single centre. The primary outcome was clinical success. Secondary outcomes were technical success, procedure time, total number of endoscopic procedures with or without necrosectomy, stent indwell time, stent functionality and adverse events. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (21 males, mean age 46.5 years) underwent placement of LAMS for 41 PFCs (median size 12 cm). There were 18 pseudocysts and 23 walled-off necrosis. Clinical success was seen in 33 of 41 (80%) PFCs. Of the remaining eight patients, six underwent surgery and two patients died from underlying malignant disease (although their PFC had completely resolved). Technical success and stent functionality were 100%. The median procedure time was 14 min (interquartile range 11 min to 20 min). Of the 23 walled-off necrosis, 9 (39%) required necrosectomy. The median stent indwell time was 19 days (interquartile range 14 to 22 days). There were no serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Our protocol demonstrates excellent performance characteristics of LAMS. Their clinical efficacy and favourable safety profile suggest that they may be the preferred modality for endoscopic ultrasound-guided management of PFCs.