Percutaneous Transhepatic Treatment of Benign Bile Duct Strictures Using Retrievable Covered Stents: Long-Term Outcomes in 148 Patients

ObjectiveTo investigate the long-term outcomes of percutaneous treatment of benign biliary strictures using temporary placement of a retrievable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) covered stent.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 148 patients (84 male and 64 female; age range, 11–92 years) who underwent percutaneous transhepatic placement and removal of a retrievable PTFE-covered stent for the treatment of benign biliary strictures between March 2007 and August 2019 through long-term follow-up. Ninety-two patients had treatment-naïve strictures and 56 had recurrent/refractory strictures.ResultsStent placement was technically successful in all 148 patients. The mean indwelling period of the stent was 2.4 months (median period, 2.3 months; range, 0.2–7.7 months). Stent migration, either early or late, occurred in 28 (18.9%) patients. Clinical success, defined as resolution of stricture after completing stent placement and removal, was achieved in 94.2% (131 of 139 patients). The overall complication rate was 15.5% (23 of 148 patients). During the mean follow-up of 60.2 months (median period, 52.7 months; range, 1.6–146.1 months), 37 patients had a recurrence of clinically significant strictures at 0.5–124.5 months after removal of biliary stent and catheter (median, 16.1 months). The primary patency rates at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years after removal of biliary stent and catheter were 88.2%, 70.0%, 66.2%, 60.5%, and 54.5%, respectively. In the multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, sex, age, underlying disease, relation to surgery, stricture type, biliary stones, history of previous treatment, and stricture site were not significantly associated with the primary patency.ConclusionLong-term outcomes suggest that percutaneous treatment of benign biliary strictures using temporary placement of retrievable PTFE-covered stents may be a clinically effective method.     

Temporary Covered Metallic Ureteral Stent Placement for Ureteral Strictures following Kidney Transplantation: Experience in 8 Patients

This brief report presents 8 patients with silicone-covered metallic stent placement for ureteral strictures refractory to double-J stent placement, following kidney transplantation. Stent removal was successfully performed in 7 patients via antegrade (n = 4) or retrograde (n = 3) access 6 weeks to 6 months after stenting for elective removal (6-month interval, n = 3), urothelial hyperplasia (n = 2), or stent migration (n = 2), and their mean primary ureteral patency after stent removal was 15.4 months (range, 2–27 months). Hematuria (n = 2) and pain (n = 3) occurred, but resolved within 1 week. One stent was removed during reconstructive surgery. During follow-up of mean 22.6 months after stent removal, ureteral strictures recurred in 2 patients.     

Covered metallic stent placement in the management of cervical esophageal strictures

PURPOSE: To describe the authors' experience with self-expandable covered metallic stents in 16 patients with malignant and benign cervical esophageal strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen expandable covered metallic stents were placed with fluoroscopic guidance in 16 patients (14 men, two women; mean age, 60 years; age range, 26-75 years) with malignant and benign strictures of the cervical esophagus. The causes of strictures were ingestion of corrosive agents (n = 3), biopsy-proved squamous cell carcinoma (n = 12), and postsurgical scarring (n = 1). The mean dysphagia scores at presentation were compared with those after stent placement by using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: Stent placement was technically successful in all patients. The reduction in the mean dysphagia score after stent placement was statistically significant (P = .0327). All patients complained of mild to severe foreign body sensation, with four reporting severe pain necessitating immediate stent removal. With the exception of one patient with limited follow-up, complications requiring intervention occurred in all patients, including migration in nine patients and tissue hyperproliferation in two. Of the 12 patients with a malignant stricture of the esophagus, four patients eventually underwent gastrostomy for the placement of a feeding tube and one patient underwent surgery. All four patients with a benign cervical stricture failed to achieve long-lasting improvement with temporary stent placement. CONCLUSIONS: Although the placement of covered metallic stents in the cervical esophagus provides adequate initial palliation, it is associated with poor patient tolerance and a high complication rate.     

Metallic stents in benign biliary strictures: Three-year follow-up

Eighteen patients with recurrent benign biliary strictures (BBS) were selected for metallic stents placement because they failed to respond to percutaneous balloon dilatation. None were candidates for surgical corrections. We used “Z” single or double stents in 17 cases and a Wallstent in 1 case. After more than 3 years of follow-up (average period 37 months, range 30–41 months), 10 patients (55.5%) were asymptomatic without signs of bile statis; 5 patients (27.7%) had recurrence of symptoms and were eventually retreated; and 3 patients (16.6%) died, 2 of obstructive jaundice and liver failure and 1 of metastatic gastric cancer. Recurrence was due to stent occlusion by tissue ingrowth in 3 cases, stent migration in 1 case, and an inflammatory lesion of the papilla of Vater in another case, with patency of the metallic stent. The overall patency rate, at 3-year follow-up was 68.7%. In our series, the main factor determining long-term patency of metallic stents has been reactive tissue ingrowth. Nevertheless, long-term results obtained with metallic stents in recurrent benign biliary strictures should be considered satisfactory. In selected patients, metallic stents may represent the only long-term treatment available for maintaining bile flow.     

Usefulness of multifunctional gastrointestinal coil catheter for colorectal stent placement

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a multifunctional gastrointestinal coil catheter for stent placement in 98 patients with colorectal strictures. The catheter was used in 98 consecutive patients for stent placement in the rectum (n = 24), recto-sigmoid (n = 13), sigmoid (n = 38), descending (n = 6), transverse (n = 11), splenic flexure (n = 3), hepatic flexure (n = 2), and ascending (n = 1) colon. The catheter was made of a stainless steel coil (1.3 mm in inner diameter), a 0.4-mm nitinol wire, a polyolefin tube, and a hemostasis valve. Usefulness of the catheter was evaluated depending on whether the catheter could pass a stricture over a guide wire and whether measurement of the stricture length was possible. The passage of the catheter over a guide wire beyond the stricture was technically successful and well tolerated in 93 (94.9%) of 98 patients. In the failed five patients, it was not possible to negotiate the guide wire due to presence of nearly complete small bowel obstruction. The average length of stricture was 6.15 cm (range, 3 cm to 20 cm) in patients with the colorectal stricture. There were no procedure-related complications. In conclusion, the multifunctional coil catheter seems to be useful in colorectal stent placement.     

食管内支架置入术并发症分析

目的：分析内支架置入术治疗食管良恶性狭窄的并发症并提出防治方法。方法：本组５８例,其中食管化学烧伤后狭窄２例,食管－胃吻合口狭窄１１例,食管癌３７例,胃贲门癌８例,支架置入在Ｘ线电视监视下进行。术后给予抗生素、止血药及镇静止痛药,２３例食管癌患者术后行放疗、化疗。结果：１例内支架异位留置,遂加置一根支架,其余５７例支架的一次置入成功,术后 后疼痛２１例,大出血１例,随访１～６个月,食物嵌顿１例,支     

Endovascular Stent Treatment for Symptomatic Benign Iliofemoral Venous Occlusive Disease: Long-Term Results 1987�C2009

Venous stenting has been shown to effectively treat iliofemoral venous obstruction with good short- and mid-term results. The aim of this study was to investigate long-term clinical outcome and stent patency. Twenty patients were treated with venous stenting for benign disease at our institution between 1987 and 2005. Fifteen of 20 patients (15 female, mean age at time of stent implantation 38 years [range 18–66]) returned for a clinical visit, a plain X-ray of the stent, and a Duplex ultrasound. Four patients were lost to follow-up, and one patient died 277 months after stent placement although a good clinical result was documented 267 months after stent placement. Mean follow-up after stent placement was 167.8 months (13.9 years) (range 71 (6 years) to 267 months [22 years]). No patient needed an additional venous intervention after stent implantation. No significant difference between the circumference of the thigh on the stented side (mean 55.1 cm [range 47.0–70.0]) compared with the contralateral thigh (mean 54.9 cm [range 47.0–70.0]) (p = 0.684) was seen. There was a nonsignificant trend toward higher flow velocities within the stent (mean 30.8 cm/s [range 10.0–48.0]) and the corresponding vein segment on the contralateral side (mean 25.2 cm/s [range 12.0–47.0]) (p = 0.065). Stent integrity was confirmed in 14 of 15 cases. Only one stent showed a fracture, as documented on x-ray, without any impairment of flow. Venous stenting using Wallstents showed excellent long-term clinical outcome and primary patency rate.     

Percutaneous Treatment of Benign Biliary Anastomotic Strictures: Retrievable Covered Self-Expandable Metal Stent with Fixation String Versus Large-Bore Catheters

PurposeTo retrospectively compare the safety and efficacy of a covered self-expandable metal stent (CSEMS) with a transhepatic fixation string and a large-bore catheter for benign biliary anastomotic stricture after hepatobiliary surgery.Materials and MethodsFrom March 2012 to June 2017, 49 patients with benign biliary anastomotic strictures, untreatable with endoscopy, were included. Twenty-three patients (catheter group) were treated with a large-bore catheter (with progressive catheter upsizing to 16–18 Fr), whereas 26 patients (stent group) were treated by CSEMS (10-mm stent) placement. Technical success, clinical success, primary patency, recurrent strictures, complication rate, and catheter or stent indwelling time were compared between the groups.ResultsTechnical success and clinical success were achieved in all patients. In the stent group, stent retrieval was successful in all patients. The overall complication rate was 24.5% (catheter group vs. stent group, 30.4% vs. 19.2%; P = .363). Stent migration occurred in 1 patient during follow-up (1/26, 3.8%). The mean indwelling time was 10.3 ± 3.0 months (range, 8–16 months; median, 10 months) in the catheter group and 4.0 ± 1.2 months (range, 3–7 months; median, 4 months) in the stent group (P < .001). Recurrent strictures occurred in 10 (43.5%) patients in the catheter group and 4 (15.4%) patients in the stent group (P = .030). The 1- and 3-year primary patency rates were 82.6% and 69.3% in the catheter group and 92.3% and 84.4% in the stent group (P = .042).ConclusionsPercutaneous placement of a retrievable CSEMS showed superior intermediate-term outcomes over a large-bore catheter in patients with benign biliary anastomotic strictures.     

Double-Layered PTFE-Covered Nitinol Stents: Experience in 32 Patients with Malignant Esophageal Strictures

We evaluated the effectiveness of a double-layered polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered nitinol stent in the palliative treatment of malignant esophageal strictures. A double-layered PTFE-covered nitinol stent was designed to reduce the propensity to migration of conventional covered stent. The stent consists of an inner PTFE-covered stent and an outer uncovered nitinol stent tube. With fluoroscopic guidance, the stent was placed in 32 consecutive patients with malignant esophageal strictures. During the follow-up period, the technical and clinical success rates, complications, and cumulative patient survival and stent patency were evaluated. Stent placement was technically successful in all patients, and no procedural complications occurred. After stent placement, the symptoms of 30 patients (94%) showed improvement. During the mean follow-up of 103 days (range, 9–348 days), 11 (34%) of 32 patients developed recurrent symptoms due to tumor overgrowth in five patients (16%), tumor ingrowth owing to detachment of the covering material (PTFE) apart from the stent wire in 3 (9%), mucosal hyperplasia in 2 (6%), and stent migration in 1 (3%). Ten of these 11 patients were treated by means of placing a second covered stent. Thirty patients died, 29 as a result of disease progression and 1 from aspiration pneumonia. The median survival period was 92 days. The median period of primary stent patency was 190 days. The double-layered PTFE-covered nitinol stent seems to be effective for the palliative treatment of malignant esophageal strictures. We believe that the double-layer configuration of this stent can contribute to decreasing the stent’s migration rate.     

Results of temporary placement of covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents for tuberculous bronchial strictures

Covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents were successfully placed in nine patients with tuberculous bronchial strictures refractory to balloon dilation. Complications included stent migration (n = 1) and tissue hyperplasia at the proximal portion of the stent (n = 2). During the follow-up period (5-52 months), stricture recurred in three of five patients (60%) after temporary stent placement for 2 months, whereas stricture did not recur in the other four patients after temporary stent placement for 6 months. Temporary placement of covered retrievable stents appears to be an effective method for the treatment of patients with tuberculous bronchial strictures refractory to balloon dilation.     

Metallic stents in benign biliary strictures: long-term effectiveness and interventional management of stent occlusion

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of metallic stent placement in the treatment of benign biliary strictures and to report our experience with interventional procedures for the management of stent occlusion to achieve secondary patency. CONCLUSION: The clinical course of these patients is compromised by repeated stent occlusions, caused by stone or mucosal hyperplasia. The results of primary stent patency are disappointing with the primary patency rate decreasing from 75% after 12 months to 25% after 36 months. The different interventional procedures used to restore bile flow make an important contribution to the secondary stent patency and provide a satisfactory clinical result in a patient subpopulation in whom stent placement is considered the last resort.     

Palliative treatment of neoplastic strictures by self-expanding nitinol Strecker stent

The purpose of this study was to evaluate technical and clinical results of self-expanding esophageal stent implanted in patients with malignant esophageal strictures and clinically significant dysphagia. From June 1992 to September 1994, 27 patients with inoperable tumors of the esophagus or gastric cardiac were treated by placement of 37 self-expanding nitinol stents. Water-soluble contrast and endoscopy studies were performed after the procedure and during the follow-up period. Successful stenting of the stricture was achieved in 27 patients. The mean dysphagia grade dropped from 2.3 to 1 (SD ± 0.54) immediately after the procedure. After the insertion of the stent, 16 patients died in a period of time ranging from 0 to 13 months (mean 5.6 months), whereas at the end of the study 11 patients were alive 4–15 months after the procedure (mean 8.3 months). No major complications were observed. The results of this study are encouraging because esophageal stent placement was technically easy and clinically effective. Correspondence to: F. Maspes     

Metallic stents for treatment of benign biliary obstruction: a long-term study comparing different stents

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of metallic stents in the treatment of benign biliary strictures and analyze the differences in primary patency associated with the various types of stents deployed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1990 and 1997, 21 patients with benign obstructive jaundice were treated with transhepatic placement of metallic stents (11 Wallstents in 10 patients, nine Palmaz stents in seven patients, and four tantalum Strecker stents in four patients). Nineteen patients presented with strictures not responding to balloon angioplasty (postsurgical, n = 13; cholangitis, n = 5; unknown, n = 1). Estimates for cumulative patency, patency rate in the different stent groups, and survival were calculated with use of life-table analysis; the log-rank test was used to compare the different stent groups. The prognostic relevance of the selected variables-stent type, stent length, etiology, and location-were modeled with respect to patency according to Weibull distribution. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 80.5 months (range, 2-116 months). The median survival time was 91 months. One patient was lost to follow-up after 3 months. Repeat intervention for recurrent obstructive jaundice was necessary in 11 patients (55%), and the median patency rate was 26 months (range, 2-96 months). The Palmaz stent was the most effective in achieving long-term patency, with a median patency duration of 36 months (range, 22-96 months), versus 9 months (range, 3-67 months) for the Wallstent and 6 months (range, 2-15 months) for the tantalum Strecker stent. The cumulative patency rate with the Palmaz stent was significantly higher than for the tantalum Strecker stent (log-rank test, P = .017) and nonsignificantly higher compared with the Wallstent (log-rank test, P = .07). Multivariate analysis showed that the type of stent (Wald test, P = .003) and stent length (Wald test, P < .0001) influenced the patency rate. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the type of stent and the stent length have a significant influence on the patency rate. In this series, the Palmaz stent was most effective in achieving long-term patency in benign biliary strictures.     

Radiological evaluation of covered self-expandable metallic stents used for palliation in patients with malignant esophageal strictures

Purpose: To study the role of self-expandable metallic stents in malignant esophageal strictures in terms of patency, improved dysphagia score, and possible associated complications.

Material and Methods: Twenty-two patients with inoperable carcinoma of the esophagus underwent stent placement. Four different varieties of covered stents were used. Stenting was performed under fluoroscopic guidance and local pharyngeal anesthesia. During follow-up, patients were examined clinically and radiologically to assess the effectiveness of stents in relieving dysphagia, to check the stent position, patency, and possible complications.

Results: Fluoroscopic placement of the stent was successful and well tolerated in all patients without any serious complications. Accurate stent placement was possible in 95% of cases. The mean dysphagia score prior to stenting was 3.5 and poststent 1.2, with an improvement of 2.3 degrees. In two patients with associated fistulas, complete closure was seen after stent insertion. There was poor stent expansion in three patients. Significant tumor overgrowth occurred in two patients, and a second overlapping stent was deployed in one case. Three patients developed food impaction, which needed endoscopic removal of impacted food in two cases.

Conclusion: Fluoroscopic placement of self-expandable metallic stents is a safe and effective method of palliating severe dysphagia and fistulas in patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma. However, complications such as tumor overgrowth and food impaction may require reintervention after stent placement.     

Balloon catheter dilation of ureteroenteric strictures: long-term results

Balloon catheter dilation of benign ureteroenteric anastomotic strictures has been proposed as an alternative to either surgical revision or chronic ureteral stenting, with moderately successful short-term results reported by several groups in a limited number of patients. However, the authors' experience with 29 patients exhibiting 37 benign ureteroenteric strictures treated over the past 7 years revealed that in the majority of cases (23 patients, 26 strictures [70%]), strictures recurred within 6 months of balloon catheter dilation/ureteral stent therapy. Furthermore, of the 11 strictures that appeared to have been successfully dilated at a follow-up interval of 6 months, five restenosed within 1 year. Therefore, only six of 37 (16%) ureteroenteric stricture dilations could be considered successful when viewed at least 1 year after interventional therapy. Furthermore, repeat dilations have often been required to maintain ureteral patency in these patients.     

Covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents in patients with benign esophageal strictures: initial experience

PURPOSE: To investigate the safety and clinical effectiveness of covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents in 25 patients with a benign esophageal stricture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under fluoroscopic guidance, covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents were placed in 25 patients with a benign esophageal stricture and were removed with a retrieval hook 1-8 weeks later. RESULTS: Stent placement was successful in all patients, with no procedural complications. After stent placement, all patients could ingest solid food. The stents were successfully removed from all but two patients. One patient passed the stent via the rectum, and the other regurgitated a high cervical stent. After stent removal, one patient developed a small esophagobronchial fistula, which spontaneously sealed within 1 week of stent removal. After stent removal or migration, all patients could ingest solid food. During follow-up (mean, 13 months; range, 2-25 months) after stent removal or migration, 12 patients maintained their improvement in dysphagia and needed no further treatment. Thirteen patients with recurrence were treated by means of repeat balloon dilation. CONCLUSION: Use of retrievable expandable nitinol stents seems to be a safe and effective method of treatment in selected patients with benign esophageal strictures.     

Long-term safety and outcome of a temporary self-expanding metallic stent for achalasia: a prospective study with a 13-year single-center experience

To prospectively evaluate the long-term clinical safety and efficacy of a newly designed self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS) in the treatment of patients with achalasia. Seventy-five patients with achalasia were treated with a temporary SEMS with a 30-mm diameter. The SEMSs were placed under fluoroscopic guidance and removed by gastroscopy 4–5 days after stent placement. Follow-up data focused on dysphagia score, technique and clinical success, clinical remissions and failures, and complications and was performed at 6 months, 1 year, and within 3 to 5 years, 5 to 8 years, 8 to 10 years, and >10 years postoperatively. Stent placement was technically successful in all patients. Complications included stent migration (n = 4, 5.33%), chest pain (n = 28, 38.7%), reflux (n = 15, 20%), and bleeding (n = 9, 12%). No perforation or 30-day mortality occurred. Clinical success was achieved in all patients 1 month after stent removal. The overall remission rates at 6 months, 1, 1–3, 3–5, 5–8, 8–10, and >10 year follow-up periods were 100%, 96%, 93.9%, 90.9%, 100%, 100%, and 83.3%, respectively. Stent treatment failed in six patients, and the overall remission rate in our series was 92%. The median and mean primary patencies were 2.8 ± 0.28 years (95% CI: 2.25–3.35) and 4.28 ± 0.40 years (95% CI: 3.51–5.05), respectively. The use of temporary SEMSs with 30-mm diameter proved to be a safe and effective approach for managing achalasia with a long-term satisfactory clinical remission rate. Supported by the National Key Medical Research and Development Program of China during the 9th Five-year Plan Period (no. 96–907–03–04), Shanghai Nature Science Funds (no. 02Z1314073), Shanghai Medical Development Funds (no. 00419), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 30670614).     

食管内支架置入后的随访研究

目的食管狭窄置入金属支架后长期随访，观察其疗效和并发症。方法４３例食管狭窄放置了金属支架患者有较完整的随访资料。良性狭窄１４例，恶性狭窄２９例。置入Ｕｌｔｒｅｆｌｅｘ支架３２例，ＧｉａｎｔｕｒｃｏＺ型带膜支架４例，国产网状支架６例，Ｗａｌｓｔｅｎｔ支架１例。门诊随访行食管造影和内窥镜检查２７例，电话或信访１６例。结果１～３２个月随访观察，无支架移位。２４例死亡，术后生存时间１７天至２８个月，平均６．８个月。死亡原因：肿瘤广泛转移１９例，肺部感染２例，其他原因引起死亡３例。发生再狭窄１６例，为支架内或两端发生狭窄。肿瘤组织生长造成的狭窄４例，１２例为食管腔内组织过度增生，这类狭窄全部发生在置入支架后４～５个月。支架内狭窄５例，支架两端狭窄１１例，其中１０例为支架上端狭窄。１２例行再次球囊扩张或支架置入。结论肿瘤的生长，特别是粘膜和纤维组织增生是引起再狭窄的主要原因，支架上端狭窄更容易发生吞咽困难。由于再狭窄的发生率较高，对于良性食管狭窄的支架成型术应严格选择病例。     

Intraureteral metallic endoprosthesis in the treatment of ureteral strictures

OBJECTIVE: We report our experience on intraureteral metallic stents placement for the treatment of malignant and benign ureteral strictures. METHODS: Eight patients (six men and two women) with inoperable malignant or benign ureteral strictures, underwent insertion of metallic stents through percutaneous tracts. Six lesions (three malignant, three benign) involved ureterointestinal anastomoses after cystectomy for bladder cancer and ureteroileal urinary diversion or bladder substitution, and two malignant lesions involved the midureter. Self-expandable stents were used in seven cases and a balloon-expandable stent in the remaining one case. One stent was sufficient in seven ureters, and in one ureter, two overlapping stents were placed. RESULTS: Metallic stents were inserted without technical difficulties in all obstructed ureters and patency was achieved in all patients. Ultrasonography revealed resolution of pre-existing hydronephrosis. The duration of follow-up was 6-17 months (mean, 9 months). One ureter was occluded 8 months after stent placement because of ingrowth of tumor and granulation tissue. The other ureters showed no signs of obstruction during follow-up. No major complications directly attributable to the metallic stent occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that insertion of a metallic stent in the ureter is feasible and safe for the treatment of benign or malignant ureteral strictures. However, more work needs to be done to establish the use of these stents for the treatment of ureteral obstruction.     

金属支架治疗恶性肿瘤引起的气管狭窄（附30例分析）

目的 评价金属支架治疗肺癌、食管癌等恶笥肿瘤引起的气管狭窄的可行性和疗效。方法 ３０例肺癌、管癌等恶性肿瘤压迫或侵犯气管，引起气管狭窄和严重的呼吸困难，分别置入自扩型金属支架。１１例患者进行了后续的化学治疗和放射治疗。结果 ３０例狭窄都位于主气管，共置入支架３０个（１２个ＧｉａｎｔｕｒｃｏＺ形支架，８个Ｗａｌｌｓｔｅｎｔ支架１０个Ｕｌｔｒａｆｌｅｘ支架）。所有患者呼吸困难得到立即缓解。１例杖后５６