ABSTRACT
Endoscopic stent insertion is as a method of choice for palliative treatment of malignant biliary strictures. Two types of biliary stent were actually used plastic and metallic self-expandable. Occlusion of the stent can be observed in both. To assess the management of biliary stent occlusion. From january 2006 to december 2007, 120 biliary stents were inserted in 97 patients. Indications of biliary stents were malignant stricture in 67%of cases. Biliary stern occlusion was defined by necessity of stent replacement. 118 plastic and 2 metallic self-expandable biliary stents were inserted. Obstruction of the biliary stent was observed in 12 patients, after a mean time of 5,5 months [1-15]. A recurrent biliary desobstruction was necessary in 6 patients. Stent exchange was realised in 33,3%of cases for malignant biliary stenosis and in 66,6%for benign stricture [p=0, 01]. Obstruction of the steot was symptomatic [cholangitis, jaundice] in more of 50%of cases. Management consisted on the stent exchange by a new plastic stent for clogging plastic stent and on insertion of plastic stent inside the metallic one for the occluded metallic stent. Obstruction can occur for the two types of biliary stent. Survival of the patient, cost of the stent guide the choice of the stent will be used