Lumen-Apposing Metal Stents for Walled-Off Pancreatic Necrosis: A Practice Pattern Survey of Gastroenterologists

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided placement of LAMS has emerged as an effective treatment for WON following acute necrotizing pancreatitis, but a standardized management protocol has not yet emerged. We sought to characterize practice variations in the use of lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) for the treatment of walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WON). METHODS: A 30-question survey was sent to 341 endoscopists in the United States to collect information on practitioner demographics, procedural practices, necrosectomy practices, and LAMS-related adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 69 of the 341 surveys were completed for a response rate of 20.2%. Almost all reported using LAMS placement as the primary method of WON treatment (92.5%). At the time of LAMS placement, almost half of respondents perform balloon dilation (45.2%), and a minority place pigtail stents through the LAMS channel (15.0%). Necrosectomy is performed by less than half during index LAMS placement procedure (46.8%). Approximately half never use hydrogen peroxide lavage (52.4%). Most respondents reported experiencing adverse events at some point. About half reported a stent indwell time of the greater than 1 month. CONCLUSION: A convergence of practice patterns when using LAMS to treat WON has not been demonstrated. Considerable variability exists in certain aspects of LAMS use including placement technique, necrosectomy practices, follow-up treatment, and stent removal. Further investigation is necessary to standardize this procedure to effectively and safely treat WON.