Abstract
Endoscopic diagnosis and therapy for various pancreatobiliary diseases have made remarkable progress in recent years. In April 2013, endoscopic pancreatic stenting was approved for coverage by the Japanese medical insurance system, and endoscopic stenting has rapidly spread as a less invasive approach.
However, endoscopic approaches for pancreatic lesions are not always readily available in many hospitals because of risks of adverse events and are still technically challenging due to their invasiveness There are certain points to be considered in maximizing the clinical benefits of endoscopic stenting. Prior to pancreatic stenting it is important to determine whether the stenosis is caused by benign or malignant lesions. Stenting without a differential diagnosis of the cause of the stenosis is not recommended is not recommended unless there are specific reasons for not obtaining a differential diagnosis. In addition, a thorough understanding of the incidental complications associated with stenting is essential. Although pancreatic stenting is a useful technique to relieve the stricture in patients with chronic pancreatitis, an array of issues, e.g., indications, duration, shape and diameter of the stricture, need to be carefully assessed for the safe performance of stenting.
