PIRATE study - practice of prophylactic pancreatic stent (PPS) removal
02/01/2025
Prophylactic pancreatic stent placement (PPSP) is recommended in high-risk patients during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). However, only two guidelines, including the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE), provide advice on how, when, and if PPS should be removed. The ESGE recommends evaluating stent passage within 5–10 days and endoscopic removal, with stents remaining in place for a minimum of 12–24 hours. Literature indicates that 80–90% of PPS pass spontaneously, with few complications of non-removal reported. Documented complications of PPS removal, although rare, include perforation, bleeding, stent fracture, migration, and occlusion.
This 13 item online survey distributed aims to fill a a gap in knowledge about pps removal practice across Europe.