Usefulness of stent placement above the papilla, so-called, ‘inside stent’

ABSTRACT

Stent occlusion and cholangitis are common complications after endoscopic biliary stenting caused by duodenobiliary refluxes and food impaction. To prolong the stent patency, the concept of stenting above the papilla, so-called inside stent, has been developed. Various studies of the inside stent in the treatment of both benign and malignant biliary obstruction have been published, with a promising result. However, most studies were retrospective, with wide variation of stent type and the etiology of biliary obstruction. This review aims to summarize the principle, evidence, and the usefulness of inside biliary stent.