Endoscopic stent placement in the palliation of malignant biliary obstruction

Biliary drainage with biliary stent placement is the treatment of choice for palliation in patients with malignant biliary obstruction caused by unresectable neoplasms. In such patients, the endoscopic approach can be initially used with percutaneous radiological intervention. In patients with unresectable malignant distal bile duct obstructions, endoscopic biliary drainage with biliary stent placement has now become the main and least invasive palliative modality, which has been proven to be more effective in >80% of cases with lower morbidity than surgery, and perhaps may provide a survival benefit. In patients with unresectable malignant hilar obstruction, the endoscopic approach for biliary drainage with biliary stent placement has also been considered as the treatment of choice. There is still a lack of clear consensus on the use of covered versus uncovered metal stents in malignant distal bile duct obstructions and plastic versus metal stents and unilateral versus bilateral drainage in malignant hilar obstructions.     

Comparison of duodenal stent placement with surgical gastrojejunostomy for palliation in patients with duodenal obstructions caused by pancreaticobiliary malignancies

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Palliative treatment for duodenal stenosis with an enteral stent is effective in enhancing the quality of life of patients with duodenal obstruction. There have been no thorough comparisons of duodenal stent placement with standard surgical gastrojejunostomy. The present study evaluated the outcome of duodenal stent placement and surgical gastrojejunostomy for palliation of duodenal stenosis caused by pancreaticobiliary malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records for patients who underwent palliative enteral stenting during the past 9 years were retrospectively reviewed, and the patients' clinical outcome was compared with that in patients who underwent open surgical gastrojejunostomy during the same period. Patients who underwent prophylactic gastrojejunostomy were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Twenty patients (11 men, nine women; mean age 71.8 years) with pancreaticobiliary malignancy underwent palliative enteral stenting (stent group). Nineteen patients (12 men, seven women; mean age 68.7 years) with pancreaticobiliary malignancies underwent surgical gastrojejunostomy (bypass group). In the stent group, the diagnoses were 12 pancreatic cancers, six gallbladder cancers, one bile duct cancer, and one ampullary cancer. In the bypass group, the diagnoses were 14 pancreatic cancers and five gallbladder cancers. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to clinical background. Both procedures were successful. There were no differences between the two groups with regard to the technical or clinical success rates, patient survival, possibility of discharge, need for parenteral nutrition, or incidence of complications. However, the time from the procedure to resumption of food intake was shorter in the stent group than in the bypass group (1 day vs. 9 days; P < 0.0001). Improvement in the performance score after the procedure was observed more frequently in the stent group (65 % vs. 26.3 %; P < 0.05). In terms of the median hospital stay from the time of the procedure to the time of initial discharge home (12 patients vs. nine patients), there was no statistical difference (15 days vs. 30 days) due to the small size of the sample. There was no procedure-related mortality in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Palliative stent placement was more beneficial than surgical gastrojejunostomy in enhancing the quality of life of patients with duodenal obstruction due to pancreaticobiliary malignancies.     

经内镜胆道支架治疗胆道良恶性梗阻的临床研究

目的探讨胆道良恶性梗阻时塑料和镍钛记忆合金镀金支架内镜置入的操作技术及其临床疗效。方法该组塑料支架组52例，包括十二指肠乳头炎性狭窄24例，胆总管下段炎性狭窄4例，老年胆总管巨大结石5例，胆漏11例，胆管外科损伤狭窄7例，胰腺癌1例；镀金支架组28例，包括中下段胆管癌11例，肝门部胆管癌6例，十二指肠乳头癌5例，胰腺癌6例。所有病人均行ERCP以证实狭窄部位及其程度，选择合适的支架。经十二指肠镜插入导丝至梗阻远端，狭窄明显者沿导丝进行球囊扩张；在X线监视下沿导丝用支架推送器将支架送至狭窄远端2cm。术后观察病人黄疸改善情况，同时观察肝功能、血清淀粉酶变化，并随访3-6个月。结果该组支架均一次置入成功，成功率100％。镀金支架置入后1周，患者血清总胆红素(STB)下降67.16％，谷丙转氨酶(ALT)下降58．37％，r-谷胺酰转肽酶(r—GT)下降40．63％，碱性磷酸酶(ALP)下降41．54％；塑料支架置入后1周，STB下降53．24％，ALT下降55．03％，r—GT下降37．15％，ALP下降34．12％。早期并发症包括：高淀粉酶血症、ERCP术后胰腺炎、胆管炎，晚期并发症有支架堵塞。镀金支架组随访期间有4例(14．29％)死于肿瘤进展。结论经内镜塑料和镍钛记忆合金镀金支架治疗胆道良恶性梗阻安全、有效、并发症少；塑料支架在胆漏及胆道损伤治疗中的应用为肝胆外科手术并发症的治疗提供了较好的弥补手段。     

Effectiveness of the Ultraflex Diamond stent for the palliation of malignant biliary obstruction

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopically placed metallic biliary stents provide durable drainage for malignant biliary obstruction. The best-studied metal stent is the Wallstent, which has a greater duration of patency than polyethylene stents. Recently, the Ultraflex Diamond stent has been introduced, with reports from Europe which suggest efficacy similar to that of the Wallstent. We report our experience with this new metal stent and compare it with a historical cohort of Wallstent-treated patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 1997 and July 1998 all metal stents placed for malignant biliary obstruction were Diamond stents (10 mm diameter, 6 or 8 cm length). Prospective follow-up details with regard to patient death or stent occlusion were obtained. In total, 32 patients underwent stenting, but 11 patients were excluded because of the following: death from pre-existing cholangitis (2); placement of bilateral hilar stents (2); placement of stent through occluded metal stents (3); failure to palliate jaundice due to complex hilar stricture (2) or concomitant liver failure (1); or inability to obtain follow-up (1), leaving 21 patients for analysis. Occlusion rates and stent patency were also determined retrospectively for 19 patients with malignant biliary obstruction who had Wallstents (10 mm diameter, 6.8 cm length) placed during the preceding year and for whom accurate and complete follow-up details were available. RESULTS: In the Diamond stent group there were 14 men and seven women, mean age 73. In the Wallstent group there were 11 men and eight women, mean age 66. The types of cancer, level of stricture and percentage with prior polyethylene stenting were similar in both groups. Stent occlusion occurred in 9/21 (43%), Diamond stents at a mean of 74 +/- 43 days compared with 8/19 (42%) Wallstents at a mean of 178 +/- 138 days (P < 0.04). Mean time of stent patency was 110 +/- 89 days for Diamond stents and 253 +/- 218 days for Wallstents (P < 0.01). Analysis of occlusion-free survival using a Kaplan-Meier plot showed a trend favoring the Wallstent (P = 0.12; Wilcoxon test). CONCLUSIONS: The occlusion rate and patency of Diamond stents for malignant biliary obstruction appear to be inferior to those of Wallstents and similar to reported values for polyethylene stents. Prospective randomized comparisons of Wallstents and newer self-expanding metal stents are warranted.     

恶性胆道梗阻患者内镜下支架治疗分析

目的探讨内镜下支架置入对恶性胆道梗阻患者的临床应用价值。方法 23例恶性胆道梗阻患者,内镜下置入胆道塑料或金属支架,观察术后并发症以及手术前后胆红素变化。结果 23例恶性胆道梗阻患者中,内镜下植入支架成功23次,2例未能成功,3例2次更换支架,操作成功率为91.3%,消除黄疸总有效率为86.9%,并发症发生率为8.7%,平均存活期约为6.9个月。结论经内镜胆道支架置入术可解决恶性胆道梗阻引起的黄疸,且创伤小、并发症少,能提高患者生存质量。     

EUS-guided biliary drainage with placement of a new partially covered biliary stent for palliation of malignant biliary obstruction: a case series

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has been developed as an alternative drainage technique in patients with obstructive jaundice where endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has failed. Between July 2008 and December 2009, 16 patients (9 men; median age 79 years) with biliopancreatic malignancy, who were candidates for alternative techniques of biliary decompression because ERCP had been unsuccessful, underwent EUS-BD with placement of a transmural or transpapillary partially covered nitinol self-expandable metal stent (SEMS). EUS-assisted cholangiography was successful in all patients, with definition of the relevant anatomy, but biliary drainage was successfully performed in only 12 (75?%) of the 16 patients (9 choledochoduodenostomies with SEMS placement and 3 biliary rendezvous procedures with papillary SEMS placement), with regression of the cholestasis. No major complications and no procedure-related deaths occurred. There was one case of pneumoperitoneum which was managed conservatively. The median follow-up was 170 days. During the follow-up, eight patients of the 12 patients in whom biliary draining was successful died; four are currently alive. None of the patients required endoscopic reintervention. This series demonstrated that EUS-BD with a partially covered SEMS has a high rate of clinical success and low complication rates, and could represent an alternative choice for biliary decompression.     

Unilateral versus bilateral stent insertion for malignant hilar biliary obstruction

Purpose

To determine the clinical efficiency and long-term outcomes between unilateral and bilateral stent insertion in patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction.

Methods

From August 2012 to February 2016, 63 consecutive patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction were treated with unilateral or bilateral stent insertion at our center. The bilateral stents were inserted using the side-by-side technique. The clinical efficiency and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results

Unilateral and bilateral stent insertions were successfully performed in 31 of 33 and 27 of 30 patients, respectively (P = 0.912). No procedure-related complication occurred. Clinical success was achieved in 29 of 31 patients in the unilateral stent group and in 26 of 27 patients in the bilateral stent group (P = 0.637). During the follow-up, re-obstruction of stent occurred in five patients in the unilateral stent group and in three patients in the bilateral stent group (P = 0.58). The significant differences were not observed in the stent patency time (368 vs. 387 days, P = 0.685) and survival (200 vs. 198 days, P = 0.751) between two groups. Based on the univariate and multivariate analyses, the independent risk factors for decreasing the survival time included higher Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (P = 0.018), higher alanine aminotransferase level (P = 0.009), and absence of anticancer treatment after stent insertion (P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Compared to bilateral stent insertion for malignant hilar biliary obstruction, unilateral stent insertion can provide comparable clinical efficiency and long-term outcomes.

     

经内镜下逆行胰胆管造影置入支架治疗恶性胆管梗阻的临床研究

目的 探讨内镜下逆行胰胆管造影(ERCP)置入支架治疗恶性胆管梗阻的临床效果.方法 回顾性分析2008年8月～2011年2月该院收治的60例恶性胆管梗阻患者的临床资料,60例患者按治疗方式分为胆管支架置入组(支架组,32例)和外科姑息手术组(常规组,28例),常规组患者给予常规外科姑息手术治疗,支架组患者给予经ERCP胆管支架置入术治疗.检测两组患者术前及术后1周肝功能水平,并观察并发症发生情况,随访观察患者生存时间.结果 支架组均成功完成支架置入治疗,成功率为100％.手术治疗后,两组肝功能均明显改善,肝功能(TB、ALT、AST、ALP、GGT)水平与术前比较均显著降低,相比较差异均有显著性(均P＜0 05);且术后支架组肝功能(TB、ALT、AST、ALP、GGT)水平与对照组比较显著降低,相比较差异均有显著性(均P ＜0.05);支架组术后并发症发生率为15.6％,常规组为50.0％,相比较差异有显著性(P＜0.05);两组术后生存率和平均生存时间比较差异均无显著性(均P＞0.05).结论 经ERCP下置入支架优于传统手术,是治疗恶性胆管梗阻的一种较好的方法,手术成功率高,并发症少,值得临床应用.     

经ERCP支架治疗胆管恶性梗阻术后早期化脓性胆管炎相关危险因素分析

目的 分析与经ERCP支架治疗胆管恶性狭窄术后早期化脓性胆管炎相关危险因素.方法 收集2003年1月～2007年12月新华医院完成ERCP置内支架治疗胆管恶性肿瘤390例患者的临床资料.将患者分为发生胆管炎和未发生胆管炎两组,选择年龄、是否合并急性胆管感染、是否合并胆管结石、肿瘤部位、支架置入位置,支架类型及造影次数等7个因素作为考察对象,用SAS 6.12进行单因素分析和Logistic回归分析.结果 单因素分析显示:年龄、合并急性胆管感染,合并胆管结石及支架类型与早期ASC无关(P>0.05);而肿瘤部位(P=0.002)、支架置入部位(P=0.038)及造影次数(P=0.001)3个因素与早期ASC的发生有关;多因素分析显示:仅肿瘤部位(P=0.037)及造影次数(P=0.000)与ASC最终相关,而支架置入部位与胆管炎的发生无相关性.结论 术前对胆管肿瘤进行准确定位、术中减少逆行感染机会和积极有效的预防性引流是避免ERCP胆管支架治疗术后早期ASC的关键所在.     

Ultrasonography-guided endoscopic stent placement for malignant biliary obstruction: a preliminary report of four cases

We present a new combination of transabdominal ultrasound (US) and biliary endoscopy, with endoscopic stent placement carried out under US guidance. Four patients (two men, two women; average age 66.2 years) underwent US-guided stent placement for palliation of ampullary carcinoma (n = 3) or pancreatic cancer (n = 1). A guide wire and a guiding catheter were endoscopically introduced and identified, by US in the common bile duct across the stricture. Hydromer-coated polyurethane angled stents (10 Fr) were finally inserted over the guide wire/guiding catheter by a pusher tube system. Successful drainage, with substantial reduction in bilirubin level, was achieved in all patients (14.2 +/- 9.5 vs. 4.2 +/- 2.9 mg/dl at 1 week). The present case series shows that endoscopic stent placement performed under US guidance is safe and effective. Further studies of larger series, including more proximal strictures, are warranted.     

胃镜-X 线联合金属内支架置入治疗胃十二指肠恶性梗阻的临床价值

目的探讨内镜直视联合X线监视下金属内支架置入治疗胃十二指肠恶性梗阻的临床价值。方法选择2013年1月-2015年12月该院消化内科收治的胃十二指肠恶性梗阻患者70例为研究对象,按照患者住院先后顺序编号,将奇数号患者纳入观察组,偶数号患者纳入对照组,每组患者35例。两组患者在内科基础治疗的前提下,观察组采用内镜直视联合X线监视下金属内支架置入,对照组采用单纯胃镜引导下金属内支架置入。记录两组患者手术操作时间,支架一次性置入成功率、准确率、覆盖病变、支架脱落/移位及并发症情况,并进行统计学分析。结果平均手术操作时间观察组(9.71±3.60)min,对照组(21.01±5.20)min;支架一次性置入成功率观察组97.14%,对照组77.14%;术后4周复查支架通畅率观察组97.14%,对照组74.28%;覆盖病变两组无明显差别。并发症:两组患者均出现少量出血,经处理后出血停止;观察组未见消化道溃疡,支架移位1例,胃肠道并发症1例,代谢并发症1例;对照组支架移位4例,胃肠道并发症6例,代谢并发症7例。结论胃镜-X线联合金属内支架置入治疗胃十二指肠恶性梗阻操作时间短、置入成功率高、支架定位准确、并发症少,存活时间长,是一种简单可行、安全有效的方法。     

A new self-expanding nitinol stent (JoStent SelfX) for palliation of malignant biliary obstruction: a pilot study

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The JoStent SelfX is a new biliary uncovered self-expanding nitinol stent. The main advantage of this stent in comparison with the "gold standard" Wallstent is the minimal shortening (< 10 %) that occurs during stent deployment. A prospective feasibility study was conducted to evaluate the method of stent implantation and the stent's short-term efficacy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2001 and December 2002, the JoStent SelfX was implanted in 20 patients with inoperable malignant biliary obstructions, mainly caused by pancreatic cancer (12 of 20). All patients underwent sphincterotomy prior to stent insertion. After implantation, laboratory parameters for cholestasis and expansion of the stent were checked over a period of several days. All patients were followed for 8 weeks after implantation to document early stent dysfunction. RESULTS: Stent implantation was easily managed and successful in all patients, with no technical problems. Prior bougienage was required in only one patient, who had a filiform stenosis. No stent retraction was observed during stent release. All stents showed full expansion within 5 days. No acute complications occurred. Adequate reduction in the elevated laboratory parameters for cholestasis was observed. Two patients had recurrent cholestasis and fever due to cholangitis, or stent occlusion caused by biliary sludge within 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: This new biliary metal stent is easily inserted and does not shorten during stent release, allowing precise positioning. No acute complications occurred, but there were two cases of early stent dysfunction. The role of the JoStent SelfX in comparison with other biliary stents will need to be evaluated in a multicenter trial with a larger number of patients, to investigate the long-term results.     

Self-expanding coil stent with a long delivery system for palliation of unresectable malignant gastric outlet obstruction: a prospective study

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Peroral intubation of a self-expanding metal stent is usually difficult in patients with unresectable malignant gastric outlet obstruction, because the delivery systems currently available are not long enough and cannot easily pass the angulated gastroduodenal structure. We carried out a prospective study to assess the efficacy of a coil stent with a newly developed long delivery system, for palliation of unresectable malignant gastric outlet obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 29 patients with unresectable malignant gastric outlet obstruction, caused by gastric cancer (26 patients), pancreatic head cancer (two patients), or duodenal cancer (one patient), peroral intubation of a self-expanding nickel-titanium coil stent was attempted, using a lengthened delivery system of 150 cm, under endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance. RESULTS: Management was successful in 26 of 29 patients (89.7 %) without immediate major complications. In one patient in whom peroral intubation failed, percutaneous intubation of the coil stent via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was done. After insertion of the coil stent, food ingestion with symptomatic improvement with regard to vomiting was achieved in 26 of 27 patients (96.3 %), including the patient with percutaneous stent insertion. During the follow-up period, dysphagia and Karnofsky scores improved significantly. Stent migration occurred in two patients, and tumor ingrowth in another two; re-intervention was done successfully performed in two instances. The mean survival time was 124 days (range 34 - 310 days) in the 22 patients who had no need for re-intervention during follow-up; among these was a patient who experienced stent occlusion by food material, which was easily corrected with endoscopic flushing. CONCLUSIONS: Peroral intubation of a self-expanding coil stent using a long delivery system is a safe and effective palliative technique for unresectable malignant gastric outlet obstruction, and significantly improves the quality of life of patients.     

经结肠镜钳道直视下联合X线监视置入金属 支架治疗胃十二指肠恶性梗阻38例

目的 探讨经结肠镜钳道（钳道直径3.8 mm）直视下置入金属支架治疗胃十二指肠恶性梗阻的操作方法及疗效。方法 该组38例胃十二指肠恶性梗阻患者在联合 X 线监视经结肠镜钳道直视下,置入42枚金属内支架治疗。结果 38例患者支架置入均获得了成功,随访期间患者均能进食流质或普食,呕吐减轻,生活质量提高,未出现严重并发症。结论 经结肠镜钳道直视下联合 X 线监视置入金属内支架治疗胃十二指肠恶性梗阻,安全有效,操作简便、时间短,患者痛苦小,定位准确,支架一次性置入成功率高、覆盖病变完全,同时利用现有的大钳道结肠镜,不需要购置特制的大钳道胃镜,充分利用了设备资源,适合推广应用。     

Use of the Bard Memotherm self-expanding metal stent in the palliation of colonic obstruction

Background: Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are a recognized means of palliating large bowel obstruction due to colonic neoplasia. The literature mainly relates to the use of modified esophageal stents (expanded diameter, 18–22 mm) in the colorectum. Stent migration has been a common complication and may be related to expanded stent diameter. This series reports our experience with the Memotherm Colorectal SEMS (expanded diameter, 25–30 mm). Methods: Prospective data were collected from February 1999 to September 2000. Sixteen patients (age range = 61–99 years) were considered for the Memotherm Colorectal SEMS. Stents were inserted radiologically under fluoroscopic control. Outcome was classified as a technical success (stent in correct position and expanded) and a clinical success (colon decompressed, symptoms relieved, and bowels working). Results: Thirteen cases (81%) underwent successful SEMS placement. These were technically and clinically successful. Two cases required insertion of two overlapping stents to traverse long strictures. Three unsuccessful cases were emergency presentations in which a guidewire could not be passed across the lesion. Two of these were due to benign strictures and the third to extrinsic compression by ovarian carcinoma. Conclusion: In our experience, the Memotherm Colorectal SEMS was easy to use, was effective in the palliation of obstructing colorectal carcinoma, and appeared to reduce the risk of stent migration.