When people have severe pancreas inflammation, fluid can build up around the pancreas, making it hard for their bodies to get proper nutrition. Doctors can drain this fluid using a special tube with a camera. This study compared two types of stents (tiny tubes that keep the drain open) in 59 patients. The newer metal stent helped patients’ nutrition levels improve faster than the older plastic stent, especially after 4-8 weeks. Both types were equally safe, but the metal stent gave patients a better nutritional boost during recovery.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a newer type of metal stent helps pancreas patients recover their nutrition better than an older plastic stent when draining fluid buildup
- Who participated: 59 patients (18 with metal stents, 41 with plastic stents) who had severe pancreas inflammation with fluid collections between 2018 and 2023
- Key finding: Patients with metal stents showed better nutrition improvement by week 4 and week 8 after the procedure, with their nutrition scores improving 7.2 points versus 0.7 points at 4 weeks
- What it means for you: If you need drainage for pancreas-related fluid buildup, a metal stent may help your body recover nutrition faster, though both stent types are safe and effective
The Research Details
This was a multicenter retrospective study, meaning researchers looked back at medical records from multiple hospitals between December 2018 and March 2023. They compared 18 patients who received metal stents (LAMS) with 41 patients who received plastic stents (PS) for draining fluid around the pancreas. The doctors measured patients’ nutrition levels using blood tests at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the procedure. They used two different nutrition scoring systems to get a complete picture of how well patients were recovering their ability to absorb nutrients.
The researchers carefully compared the two groups by accounting for each patient’s nutrition level before the procedure. This helps ensure that any differences they found were due to the stent type, not because one group started in worse condition than the other. They tracked not just nutrition, but also how long procedures took, how many procedures patients needed, how quickly they went home, and whether any problems occurred.
This research approach is important because it looks at real-world patient outcomes rather than just laboratory results. By measuring nutrition status over 8 weeks, the study captures whether the stent choice actually helps patients recover their ability to eat and absorb nutrients properly. This matters because malnutrition after pancreas problems can lead to serious infections and slow healing.
This study has some strengths: it included multiple hospitals, tracked patients over several weeks, and used two different nutrition measurement systems. However, it’s a retrospective study (looking back at records) rather than a randomized trial where patients are randomly assigned to treatments. The groups were unequal in size (18 vs 41 patients), which could affect results. The study is relatively small, so findings should be confirmed with larger studies before making major treatment changes.
What the Results Show
The metal stent group showed better nutrition improvement compared to the plastic stent group, especially at 4 and 8 weeks after the procedure. Using the PNI nutrition score, the metal stent group improved by 7.2 points at 4 weeks compared to only 0.7 points in the plastic stent group. By 8 weeks, the metal stent group had improved 11.0 points versus 5.1 points for plastic stents.
Using a second nutrition measurement system (M-CONUT), the metal stent group showed consistent improvement at all three time points (2, 4, and 8 weeks), while the plastic stent group showed slower improvement. At 2 weeks, the metal stent group improved by 1.7 points while the plastic group actually got slightly worse (0.5 points worse). This pattern continued through 8 weeks.
Importantly, both stent types were equally safe and effective at draining the fluid. The procedure times were similar (21 minutes for metal versus 48 minutes for plastic), patients needed about the same number of procedures (2 in each group), and both groups went home around the same time (28-36 days). Complications and recurrence rates were virtually identical between groups.
The study found no meaningful differences between the two stent types in terms of safety or basic effectiveness. Both stents successfully drained the fluid, both required similar numbers of procedures, and both had similar rates of complications (about 15-17%) and fluid re-accumulation (about 17%). This suggests that the main advantage of the metal stent is specifically in helping patients recover their nutrition faster, not in being safer or more effective at draining.
Previous research has shown that metal stents generally have better drainage characteristics than plastic stents in other medical situations. This study extends that finding to pancreas patients, showing that better drainage may translate to faster nutritional recovery. However, most previous studies focused on safety and drainage success rather than nutrition outcomes, so this is one of the first studies to specifically measure how stent choice affects nutritional recovery.
The study has several important limitations. First, it’s relatively small with only 59 patients total, and the groups were unequal (18 metal versus 41 plastic). Second, it’s a retrospective study looking back at medical records rather than a prospective study where researchers follow patients forward in time. Third, the study doesn’t explain why doctors chose one stent type over another, which could mean sicker patients got one type preferentially. Fourth, the study only followed patients for 8 weeks, so we don’t know if the nutrition advantage continues longer. Finally, the study was done in specific hospitals in one country, so results may not apply everywhere.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, metal stents appear to offer a modest advantage in helping patients recover their nutrition status faster after pancreas fluid drainage (moderate confidence level). If you need drainage for pancreas-related fluid buildup, discussing metal stents with your doctor may be worthwhile, though both stent types are safe and effective. The nutrition improvement with metal stents becomes noticeable around 4 weeks after the procedure.
This research is most relevant for people with acute pancreatitis who develop fluid collections around the pancreas and need drainage. It’s also important for gastroenterologists and pancreas specialists who choose which stent type to use. People with chronic pancreas problems or those considering preventive measures should not assume these findings apply to them. This research does not apply to people without pancreas-related fluid buildup.
Nutrition improvements with metal stents appear to start becoming noticeable around 2-4 weeks after the procedure, with more significant improvements by 8 weeks. However, individual recovery varies, and some patients may see benefits sooner or later than average.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track weekly nutrition markers: body weight (same time each day), appetite level (1-10 scale), and ability to eat solid foods (none/liquids only/soft foods/regular foods). This creates a simple nutrition recovery chart to share with your doctor.
- After stent placement, gradually increase food intake as tolerated, starting with clear liquids and progressing to soft foods. Use the app to log what you can eat each day and note any discomfort, helping you and your doctor track nutritional recovery progress.
- Set weekly reminders to log weight and food tolerance for the first 8 weeks after the procedure. Create a simple nutrition recovery timeline in the app showing expected improvement milestones, and alert your doctor if you’re not seeing expected progress by week 4.
This research describes a specific medical procedure (endoscopic drainage of pancreas fluid) and compares two stent types used by specialists. These findings should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. If you have pancreas inflammation or fluid buildup, consult with a gastroenterologist or pancreas specialist who can evaluate your individual situation. The choice between stent types should be made by your medical team based on your specific condition, anatomy, and medical history. This study is relatively small and was conducted in specific medical centers; results may not apply to all patients or all healthcare settings.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.