Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
Share the Article
Jan STA, Abbasi A, Menon S. Preventive role of biodegradable pancreatobiliary stents. World J Gastroenterol 2027; 33(1): 124775 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.124775]
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 7, 2027; 33(1): 124775 Published online Jan 7, 2027. doi: 10.3748/wjg.124775
Preventive role of biodegradable pancreatobiliary stents
Sayed Tauseef Ahamd Jan, Abdullah Abbasi, Shyam Menon
Sayed Tauseef Ahamd Jan, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
Abdullah Abbasi, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
Shyam Menon, Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, New Cross Hospital, Birmingham B9 5SS, United Kingdom
Author contributions: Jan STA and Abbasi A designed the review and drafted the manuscript, performed the literature search and evidence appraisal; Abbasi A and Menon S provided critical revision of the manuscript and supervised the work; all authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
AI contribution statement: AI tools were used solely for language polishing and formatting assistance during manuscript preparation. No AI tool was used to generate research data, interpret results, or formulate conclusions. All AI-assisted content was critically reviewed and revised by the authors, who take full responsibility for the accuracy, originality and integrity of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
Corresponding author: Abdullah Abbasi, MD, Assistant Professor, MRCP, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Iowa Health Care, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States. abdullah-abbasi@uiowa.edu
Received: June 24, 2026 Revised: July 20, 2026 Accepted: July 31, 2026 Published online: January 7, 2027 Processing time: 138 Days and 15.5 Hours
Abstract
Biodegradable stents (BDS) are optimal for the prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis and for the management of benign biliary leaks, where the clinical problem resolves within the device’s degradation window and the mandatory retrieval procedure required by conventional plastic stents becomes unnecessary; for postoperative pancreatic fistula, BDS use is currently justified only within clinical trials targeting high-risk patients, and routine implantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis is not advisable under present evidence. Conventional plastic pancreatobiliary stents provide effective short-term drainage but require follow-up imaging and, frequently, a second endoscopic procedure for removal – a burden that limits uptake of otherwise guideline-endorsed therapy. BDS dissolve in situ by hydrolysis, providing temporary ductal support without retrieval. We conducted a structured search of four databases (2000-2026) and appraised the certainty of evidence for four indications using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. Evidence is most mature for pancreatic prophylaxis and supportive for bile leaks; evidence for pancreatic fistula and sclerosing cholangitis remains preliminary. With regulatory clearance now achieved, the field is positioned for definitive randomized comparisons.
Core Tip: Biodegradable pancreatobiliary stents dissolve in situ, delivering temporary ductal support without the follow-up imaging or repeat endoscopy that conventional plastic stents demand. Across four indications, the evidence is strongest for the prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis and for benign bile leaks, where high technical success, low complication rates and cost-effectiveness across multiple health systems support adoption. For postoperative pancreatic fistula, use should remain within trials of high-risk patients; for primary sclerosing cholangitis, current evidence does not justify routine use. With regulatory clearance now granted, definitive randomized trials are the priority.
