Pancreatic duct stents.

Pancreatic duct stenting using endoscopic or surgical procedures is widely used for the management of various malignant and benign pancreatic diseases. Endoscopic pancreatic stents are mainly used to relieve the pain of chronic pancreatitis and pancreas divisum and treat pancreatic duct disruption and stenotic pancreaticointestinal anastomosis after surgery. They are also used to prevent post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis, treat pancreatic cancer, and locate radiolucent stones. Pancreatic duct stenting can also be performed to prevent postoperative pancreatic fistulas. Recent advances in techniques, such as endoscopic ultrasonography or balloon enteroscopy, and a large number of newly designed stents have broadened the indications for pancreatic duct stents. This review aimed to outline the types, insertion procedures, efficacy, and complications of endoscopic pancreatic duct stent placement. It also summarizes the applications of pancreatic duct stents in surgery.