Application of ultra-fine metal stents to malignant hilar biliary strictures / 中华消化内镜杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of ultra-fine metal stents for malignant hilar biliary strictures (MHBS).Methods:Ultra-fine metal stents were simultaneously placed into the intrahepatic duct of 30 patients with unresectable malignant hilar biliary strictures of Bismuth type Ⅱ or higher (based on imaging or histological and/or cytological findings) by using the stent-by-stent mode from January 2014 to June 2021 at the Department of Gastroenterology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital. The technical success rate, clinical efficacy and incidence of complications were observed.Results:The technical success rate was 100.0% (30/30), and the clinical success was achieved in 28 patients (93.3%) . The mean procedure time was 55.7±20.7 min and the placement time was 28.3±18.2 min. Early adverse events included mild acute pancreatitis ( n=2) and cholangitis ( n=5). The median stent patency and the median overall survival were 243 days (95% CI 186.6-299.4 days) and 237 days (95% CI 149.0- 325.0 days), respectively. The incidence of late cholangitis was 36.7% (11/30). Stent malfunction occurred in 14 of the 30 patients, and 5 of them received endoscopic reintervention. The technical success rate for the reintervention was 4/5 with the mean procedure time of 49.8±6.9 min. Conclusion:Malignant hilar biliary obstruction endoscopic palliation with ultra-fine metal stents using the stent-by-stent mode is safe, feasible and effective.