Abstract

Acute pancreatitis is one of the major complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). Various etiology such as mechanical, chemical, hydrostatic, and thermal factor are thought to be involved for this procedure-related pancreatitis. However, acute pancreatitis can occur as a direct complication of endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD). Although the exact mechanism remains unclear, it is postulated that the stent compresses pancreatic ductal orifice and resultant pancreatic outflow obstruction actually provokes pancreatitis. Using the larger stent diameter over 10 Fr and a straight stent rather than curved one, proximal rather than distal bile duct obstruction are risk factors for stent-induced pancreatitis. We report on three cases of acute pancreatitis complicating the EBD with a plastic stent, nasobiliary catheter, and covered-metallic stent respectively. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2001;22:233⁣238)

• Keywords: Acute pancreatitis, Stent-induced, Procedure-related, Endoscopic biliary drainage, ERCP