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Abstract Background 10‐mm self‐expandable metal stents (SEMSs) are commonly used for preoperative biliary drainage in pancreatic cancer. However, smaller diameter SEMSs have attracted attention with the attempt to reduce stent‐related adverse events (AEs). Methods We retrospectively analyzed consecutive borderline resectable pancreatic cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy and fully covered SEMS (FCSEMS) placement from April 2015 to May 2023. The primary outcome was stent‐related non‐event rate (NER), which was defined as the rate of completion of surgery without developing any preoperative events (recurrent biliary obstruction [RBO] or stent‐related AEs). Secondary outcomes included stent‐related AEs, causes of RBO, and cumulative incidence of RBO. Risk factors for pancreatitis, RBO, and stent migration were also examined. Results A total of 76 patients were included (6‐mm group: 23; 10‐mm group: 53). Stent‐related NER (57% vs. 64%, p = 0.610), stent‐related AEs (4% vs. 15%, p = 0.263), overall RBO rates (39% vs. 23%, p = 0.168), cumulative incidence of RBO (hazard ratio, 2.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.95–5.25; p = 0.065) were not significantly different between the two groups. Tumor involvement of the pancreatic duct was identified as a risk‐reducing factor for pancreatitis, while an FCSEMS diameter of 6 mm was not identified as a risk factor for RBO and stent migration. Conclusions Stent‐related NER was not significantly affected by FCSEMS diameter. Further studies are needed to confirm the usefulness of 6‐mm diameter FCSEMS for preoperative biliary drainage in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to extract endoscopic findings for diagnosing colorectal neoplasia associated with sessile serrated lesions (SSLs), which are of significant interest. Methods To compare the magnifying narrow‐band imaging (NBI) findings with microscopic morphology, we classified SSLs into two groups: Group A SSLs included the majority of uniform SSLs and any dysplasia other than that classified as group B SSLs. Group B SSLs included SSLs with intramucosal and invasive carcinoma. We also quantitatively assessed visible vessels using ImageJ software. Results This study included 47 patients with 50 group B SSLs who underwent endoscopic resection between 2012 and 2020. The results were retrospectively compared with those of 237 patients with 311 group A SSLs that underwent endoscopic resection. Using conventional white‐light endoscopy, significantly more group B SSLs had uneven shapes and some reddening compared to group A SSLs. The diagnostic odds ratios for group B SSLs were as follows: lesions with a diameter ≥10 mm, 9.76; uneven shape, 3.79; reddening, 15.46; and visible vessels with NBI, 11.32. Regarding visible vessels with NBI, the specificity and diagnostic accuracy for group B SSLs were 94.9% and 93.1%, respectively. The percentage of the vascular tonal area of NBI images was significantly larger for group B SSLs than for group A SSLs (3.97% vs. 0.29%; p < 0.01). Conclusions SSLs with reddening and/or a diameter ≥10 mm are suspected to contain cancerous components. Moreover, visible vessels observed using magnifying NBI can serve as objective indicators for diagnosing SSLs with cancerous components with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract Objectives Duckbill‐type metal stent (DMS) was the first laser‐cut biliary metal stent with an anti‐reflux valve. Removal of DMS is believed to be difficult and relevant reports are scarce. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of DMS removal. Methods We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent DMS removal between June 2019 and March 2022 to evaluate success rates and factors affecting outcomes. In addition, six different methods of DMS removal were reproduced in vitro, varying removal devices, angle of applied force, and grasped location. Extraction resistance, the distance of forceps stroke, and stent length after removal were compared. Results Forty patients were enrolled, and DMS removal was successful in 31 cases (78%). No adverse events were observed. Tumor ingrowth was evident in 78% (7/9) of failed cases. Patients receiving biliary metal stents for the first time (naïve cases), long indwelling time, longer stent, and stent tearing during removal were associated with unsuccessful stent removal. In the in vitro study, a larger force was required to remove the stent at an extraction angle of 120° than at 0°. Among cases in which force was applied at 120°, the load tended to be lower when rat‐tooth forceps were applied horizontally across the stent. Conclusions Stent removal was possible in a majority of cases. Deployment of additional stents inside DMS may be preferable to forceful removal in the presence of factors associated with difficult stent removals, such as tumor ingrowth, naïve cases, longer stents, long indwelling time, and stent tearing during removal.

Abstract Red dichromatic imaging is a new image‐enhancement technology that clarifies the differences in blood concentrations and improves the visibility of the bleeding point. A 71‐year‐old man was presented with a common bile duct stone, which was completely removed using electrohydraulic shock wave lithotripsy with peroral cholangioscopy. During peroral cholangioscopy, a nodular lesion was found at the confluence of the cystic duct, and a forceps biopsy was performed. It was difficult to confirm the bleeding point using white‐light imaging because of the pooling of blood. After switching to red dichromatic imaging mode 2 and washing the bile duct with saline solution, the bleeding point was observed in darker yellow than the surrounding blood, allowing the identification of the bleeding point. Red dichromatic imaging can be used in the future to maintain hemostasis during peroral cholangioscopy.

Abstract Annular pancreas is a congenital abnormality in which part of the pancreatic head completely or partially surrounds the duodenum in a ring‐like manner. The condition is thought to be an abnormality of the ventral pancreatic bud. While pancreatitis is a common complication of the annular pancreas, its recurrence may be prevented by improving the outflow of pancreatic juice. The present case report describes a 23‐year‐old woman who had been referred to our hospital for recurrent pancreatitis since childhood. An endoscopic incision was made on the orifice of the annular pancreas, after which pancreatitis of the annular pancreas did not recur for 6 years. The patient subsequently exhibited pancreatolithiasis in the dorsal pancreatic duct, which was successfully treated with endoscopic treatment. Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy may prevent the recurrence of pancreatitis and avoid further surgical interventions by improving the flow of pancreatic juice.