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Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMS) implanted by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for patients with benign biliary stricture (BBS).Methods The clinical data of 38 patients with BBS underwent ERCP and FCSEMS placement between January 2012 and January 2016 were retrospectively recorded.Success rate of BBS,adverse events related to ERCP and stricture recurrence were analyzed.Results A total of 38 patients underwent FCSEMS placement with a mean time of stent in dwelling for 8 months (range:3-13months).During follow-up after the stent was removed,death of 1 patient after liver transplantation was due to unrelated cause.The mean follow-up time was 13 months (range:2-52 months) for other patients.Stricture recurrence occurred in 6 patients,including 2 cases of gallstone-related biliary strictures,1 case of chronic pancreatitis-related biliary strictures,2 cases of liver transplantation-related biliary strictures,and 1 case of post surgical-related biliary strictures.Stricture resolution occurred in 31 cases with 83.8％ (31/37) success rate,including 90.0％ (18/20) gallstone-related biliary strictures,75.0％ (3/4) chronic pancreatitis-related biliary strictures,80.0％ (8/10) liver transplantation-related biliary strictures,and 66.7％ (2/3)post surgical-related biliary strictures.The incidence of post-ERCP complications was 21.1％ (8/38),including mild pancreatitis in 5 case,hyperamylasemia in 2 cases,cholangitis in 1 case.All patients were cured by conservative treatment.Conclusion FCSEMS are effective and safe for BBS.Further studies are needed to assess the indwelling time of FCSEMS,whether FCSEMS are superior to multiple plastic stents and the different efficacy of FCSEMS for BBS caused by different etiology.
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BACKGROUND/AIMS: For the endoscopic treatment of benign biliary strictures (BBS), it has been a drawback to use plastic stents or uncovered self-expandable metal stents. We investigated the efficacy and safety of temporary placing fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMS) in BBS. METHODS: We enrolled 12 cases that followed up more than 6 months after insertion of a FCSEMS in BBS via ERCP. The cohort consisted of 9 patients with recurrent cholangitis, 2 patients with postcholecystectomy and 1 patient with chronic pancreatitis. The efficacy was assessed according to the resolution of strictures and also the restricture after stent removal, and the safety was evaluated according to the complications associated with stent placement. Finally, the removability of FCSEMSs was assessed. RESULTS: The median time of FCSEMS placement was 6.0 months. Resolution of the BBS was confirmed in 8 cases (67%) after a median post-removal follow-up of 8.5 months. Restricture after stent removal happened in 4 cases (33%). The complications were severe abdominal pain (n=2), pancreatic abscess (n=1) and stent migration (n=6). In 7 cases, all the FCSEMSs were successfully removed by grasping them with forceps. CONCLUSIONS: Temporary placement of a FCSEMS in BBS showed good therapeutic effects, relative safety and easy removability. Further evaluation is needed for determining the causes of restricture and for developing a new stent with antimigration features.