Gastro-pancreaticostomy using a tube stent as a less invasive palliative treatment for malignant obstructive pancreatitis.

Surgical palliation of malignant obstructive pancreatitis poses a considerable burden to patients, especially those with extensive disease. We herein present a novel technique for performing gastro-pancreaticostomy using a tube stent as a less invasive palliative treatment for malignant obstructive pancreatitis. The main pancreatic duct was punctured via the wall of the pyloric antrum. After the insertion of a guidewire, a double pigtail-type tube stent with side holes was inserted into the main pancreatic duct through the wall of the pyloric antrum. This technique was useful as a means of accomplishing less invasive palliative treatment, and has the potential to improve the quality of life for patients with malignant obstructive pancreatitis.