Effectiveness of prophylactic pancreatic stents in preventing post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis in high-risk patients: a 16-year comprehensive study

Abstract Background: Cannulation of the common bile duct (CBD) during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can be technically challenging, especially when repeated unintended pancreatic duct cannulation occurs. We evaluated the effectiveness of prophylactic pancreatic stent (PS) placement in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) under such conditions. This is the first comprehensive study of its kind conducted in Greece, and one of the few in Europe. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent their first ERCP between January 1, 2008, and March