Pancreatic stones formation in the pancreatic stent after central pancreatectomy: A case report

Abstract

BackgroundPancreatic stenting is a common method to prevent pancreatic anastomosis stricture and pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy, pancreatectomy, and other pancreatic surgeries. Since the decomposition and digestive ability of pancreatic juice is strong, there is reportedly a low risk of stone formation in the tube. Case presentationA 68-year old female patient who was diagnosed with a pancreatic space occupying lesion was admitted to our department. Central pancreatectomy was performed with the insertion of an internal pancreatic stent, and the patient recovered well postoperatively. However, she was hospitalized again 1 year later with complains of exudation from the abdominal incision. Detailed clinical, imaging, and laboratory examinations revealed multiple stones in the pancreatic stent, which was the major cause of a pancreatic pseudocyst and pancreatitis. During the operation, we anastomosed the cyst to the jejunum and inserted another pancreatic stent without fixation in case of an anastomosis stricture or recurrence of pancreatic stones occurs. The patient was discharged 7 days postoperatively and no other complications were reported during the patient’s follow-up visit half a year later.ConclusionWe described a rare case of postoperative pancreatic stent stones complicated by chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocyst after central pancreatectomy. Application of pancreatic stent should be carefully evaluated considering its potential complication presented in this report.