# Efficacy of Endoscopic Ultrasound‐guided Transluminal Drainage Using Lumen‐apposing Metal Stents for the Treatment of Pancreatic Fluid Collections

## TL;DR

This study shows that using lumen-apposing metal stents in endoscopic procedures is a safe and effective way to treat pancreatic fluid collections.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence on the clinical effectiveness and safety of LAMS in treating PFCs compared to conventional methods.

## Key findings

- EUS-TD using LAMS achieved a 96% clinical success rate in treating PFCs.
- The procedure had a high technical success rate and short endoscopic procedure time.
- Post-LAMS placement course was good in most patients with no need for re-treatment.

## Abstract

Pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) are able to develop secondary to either fluid leakage or liquefaction of acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic trauma, or after pancreatic surgery. While most PFCs resolve spontaneously, endoscopic procedures are sometimes necessary. Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided transluminal drainage (EUS‐TD) using lumen‐apposing metal stents (LAMS) is now widely performed for PFCs. This study investigated the incidence of complications and points to be considered during and after EUS‐TD using LAMS for the treatment of patients with PFCs.

This three‐center retrospective study investigated patients who underwent EUS‐TD using LAMS or using a double‐pigtail plastic stent (DPS) for the treatment of PFCs at the University of Oita Hospital and affiliated institutions from December 2018 to June 2024. The primary outcome was the clinical success rate. Secondary outcomes included the technical success rate, endoscopic procedure time, LAMS indwell term, adverse events (AEs), and post‐LAMS placement course.

Twenty‐five patients (mean age, 67.5 ± 15.4 years; 76% male) underwent LAMS placement for PFCs. Median size of PFCs was 90 mm (range, 40–227 mm). A clinical success rate was achieved in 96%. The technical success rate was 96%, and the median endoscopic procedure time was 11 min (range, 5–32 min). Median LAMS indwell term was 46 days (range, 36‐60 days). AEs were bleeding and stent migration. Post‐LAMS placement course was good in 22 patients. No patients required re‐treatment after LAMS removal.

EUS‐TD using LAMS is a simple procedure for the treatment of PFCs and appears clinically effective, highly safe, and efficient compared to conventional EUS‐TD using DPS.