Biodegradable pancreatic duct (PD) stents offer a potential alternative to traditional polymer stents by eliminating the need for endoscopic retrieval and reducing X-ray exposure as well as procedure-related risks¹. Their real-world performance in routine Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) practice, however, remains poorly characterised. 

The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and clinical outcomes of biodegradable PD stents in patients undergoing ERCP at a tertiary Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) referral centre.

A retrospective review was conducted of all ERCP procedures performed between September 2023 and September 2025 at Oxford University Hospitals from introduction of the biodegradable stents. Patients who received biodegradable PD stents were identified where demographics, procedural characteristics, indications, and post-ERCP outcomes were extracted from electronic records and endoscopy reports. Technical and clinical success, as well as adverse events, were analysed descriptively.

Seventy-one patients received biodegradable PD stents (median age 71 years; 56% female). Most ERCPs (n = 57; 80.3%) were undertaken for benign indications, predominantly choledocholithiasis. All PD stents deployed were fast-degrading models with minimal strength retention of 12 days. The primary indication for stenting was post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) prophylaxis (n = 69; 97.2%). The consultant gastroenterologist performed the majority of biodegradable stent placements (n=46; 64.8%) while trainees inserted the remaining (n=35; 35.2%).Technical success was achieved in 100% of cases, with a clinical success rate of 96.7%. Adverse events included PEP in four patients (5.6%), cholangitis in two (2.8%), and single cases of 1 perforation (1.4%) and 1 procedure-related death (1.4%).

Biodegradable PD stenting is a feasible and safe adjunct to existing PD stents. It demonstrated excellent technical success and favourable clinical outcomes. Its use reduces radiation exposure and the need for stent retrieval which would otherwise imply further endoscopy with significant cost and environmental impact (scope cleaning, device to retrieve the stent and driving into the hospital by patients). Additionally, it showed acceptable PEP rates compared to other findings in literature.