Covered Metal Stenting for Malignant Lower Biliary Stricture with Pancreatic Duct Obstruction: Is Endoscopic Sphincterotomy Needed?

Table 2

Comparison of complications between the EST and non-EST groups.

	EST group (𝑛=38)	Non-EST group (𝑛=41)	P value
Serum amylase level (IU/L, mean ± SD)
Before CSEMS placement	130 ± 196	106 ± 100	0.563
3 hours after CSEMS placement	171 ± 232	136 ± 108	0.638
1 day after CSEMS placement	149 ± 182	174 ± 185	0.324
2 days after CSEMS placement	118 ± 142	154 ± 153	0.144
Complications (%)	7 (18.4)	6 (14.6)	0.650
Pancreatitis	1 (2.6)	1 (2.4)	0.508
Cholecystitis	2 (5.3)	2 (4.9)	0.969
Cholangitis	1 (2.6)	0 (0)	0.969
Bleeding	1 (2.6)	0 (0)	0.969
Liver abscess	1 (2.6)	0 (0)	0.969
Migration	1 (2.6)	3 (7.3)	0.663

EST: endoscopic sphincterotomy. CSEMS: covered self-expandable metal stent.