Rectal NSAIDs in the prevention of post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis in unselected patients: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

Background and Aim Efficacy of rectal non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs ( NSAID s) for post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ( ERCP ) pancreatitis ( PEP ) prophylaxis in unselected patients remained controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of rectal NSAID s in the prevention of PEP in unselected patients. Methods An electronic literature search in the Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed was carried out for randomized controlled trials comparing rectal indomethacin or diclofenac with placebo in the prevention of PEP in unselected patients. Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to evaluate methodological quality. The data were carried out in forest plots using fixed‐effect methods, and random‐effect methods were used when heterogeneity was significant. Results A total of nine trials were included in our final analysis. Rectal NSAID s were effective to reduce the incidence of PEP in unselected patients ( RR , 0.61; 95% CI , 0.46–0.79), especially for moderate‐to‐severe PEP ( RR , 0.37; 95% CI , 0.17–0.79). Both indomethacin ( RR , 0.67; 95% CI , 0.50–0.88) and diclofenac ( RR , 0.29; 95% CI , 0.12–0.69) were significantly efficacious. Rectal NSAID s given pre‐ ERCP showed significant efficacy ( RR , 0.53; 95% CI , 0.39–0.71), whether when given within 30 min pre‐ ERCP ( RR , 0.62; 95% CI , 0.42–0.92) or not ( RR , 0.43; 95% CI , 0.28–0.67). Conclusion Rectal NSAID s are effective in the prevention of PEP in unselected patients.