Endoscopic metal stent implantation for hilar cholangiocarcinoma / 中华消化外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effectiveness of endoscopic self-expandable metal stent implantation for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods The clinical data of 73 patients with hilar cholangiocar-cinoma who had received endoscopic metal stent implantation at the General Hospital of PLA Chengdu Command from July 2004 to July 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. The success rate of stent implantation, effective rate of jaundice release, duration of patency of the stent, survival time and postoperative complications were analyzed. Results Among the patients, 70 were successfully implanted with the stents. Unilateral metal stents were implan-ted in 62 patients, bilateral metal stents in three patients, and metal + plastic stents in five patients. The effective rate of jaundice release was 87% (61/70), the median duration of patency of the stent was 190 days, and the median survival time was 246 hours. Seven patients had complications of cholangitis, three had pancreatitis and two had bleeding. Conclusions The advantages of endoscopic metal stent implantation include minimal trauma and good efficacy in alleviating jaundice. It is the option of choice for the treatment of malignant biliary obstruction in patients with inoperable hilar cholangiocarcinoma.