system
Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: BACKGROUND, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Aged, Amylases, Catheterization, Cholelithiasis, Endoscopy, Digestive System, Female, Humans, Male, Pancreatic Ducts, Pancreatitis, Prospective Studies, Sphincter of Oddi, Stents.
user
Does stent placement in the pancreatic duct prevent pancreatitis after endoscopic sphincter dilation for removal of bile duct stones? Context: Pancreatitis is the most serious complication of endoscopic sphincter dilation. The aim of this study was to determine whether temporary stent placement in the main pancreatic duct decreases the frequency of pancreatitis and level of hyperamylasemia. Stents were placed in the pancreatic duct after endoscopic sphincter dilation in 40 consecutive patients with bile duct stones. Stents were removed endoscopically 3 days later. Changes in serum amylase and the frequency of pancreatitis for this group were compared with those in 92 patients who underwent sphincter dilation without pancreatic duct stent placement. Stent placement was successful in 38 of 40 patients. Although the difference in the frequency of pancreatitis was not significantly different between stent and control groups, there was a trend toward a decrease in pancreatitis in the stent group. The level of postprocedure hyperamylasemia was significantly less in the stent group (p < 0.05). There were no procedure-related complications.
assistant
Temporary placement of a stent in the pancreatic duct after sphincter dilation for removal of bile duct stones has a beneficial effect in terms of postprocedure hyperamylasemia and appears to reduce the frequency of postprocedure pancreatitis. Final Decision: yes