Tips for Using SpyGlass Peroral Pancreatoscopy and X-Ray-Guided Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy for Refractory Pancreatic Stones

Objective: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and endoscopic stone lithotomy (EL) are minimally invasive procedures that are useful for treating pancreatic stones. However, large-diameter and impacted stones can be refractory to these treatments. We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of peroral pancreatoscopy (POPS) and X-ray-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) in treating refractory pancreatic stones. Methods: From May 2005 to April 2014, 159 chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic lithiasis patients were treated with ESWL and EL. EHL was performed as a second attempt for unsuccessful ESWL and EL cases. For refractory cases, we used the 10 Fr SpyGlass Direct Visualization System for POPS-guided EHL. X-ray-guided EHL (using a 7 Fr biliary dilator as an outer sheath) was performed when a 10 Fr SpyGlass system was difficult to insert into the main pancreatic duct. Results: A total of 18 patients were included in this study. The mean stone diameter was 12.3 ± 4.5 mm, with 7 patients having a single stone and 11 patients having multiple stones. POPS-guided EHL was performed in nine cases and X-ray-guided EHL was performed in nine cases. Fragmentation was successful in nine (50%) patients: four treated with POPS-guided EHL and five treated with X-ray-guided EHL. Two patients developed mild post-ERCP pancreatitis following X-ray-guided EHL. Conclusions: POPS-guided and X-ray-guided EHL may be an alternative treatment for refractory stones. Because EHL can cause severe complications, adequate precautions are necessary for these treatments.