Stent or bypass? Treatment results in benign central venous obstruction

PURPOSE: Surgical treatment of central venous obstruction is difficult and sometimes hazardous, but not always successful. Sufficient palliation of malign stenoses can often be achieved by stent implantation. Thus it seems necessary to define the relative value of stenting in comparison to surgical reconstruction for the treatment of benign obstructions, with special respect to the long-term results. METHODS: Between 1990 and 1999, 64 central venous stents were implanted. Mediastinal vein obstructions in 23 hemodialysis patients were treated with a total of 35 stents. 29 iliofemoral stents were implanted following operative or conservative treatment of 21 venous thromboses. During the same time period, only 6 surgical bypasses were performed (all in hemodialysis patients). All patients were followed-up prospectively. Patency rates were calculated according to the life table-method. RESULTS: Following stent implantation one asymptomatic pulmonary stent embolism (2.3%) and three stent misplacements (6.8%) were documented. Two of the latter were successfully treated with another stent. In the surgical group, one patient died at eight weeks due to late complications of a cephalosporine-associated Lyell syndrome. One to five year patency rates were not significantly different among the three groups. CONCLUSION: For benign central venous stenoses in hemodialysis patients and following iliofemoral venous thrombosis, stent implantation can be recommended as a simple, safe, and durable means to restore patency. Still there is a role for surgery in severely symptomatic central venous occlusions when stent implantation is impossible or has failed.     

The role of silicone stents in the treatment of cicatricial tracheal stenoses

OBJECTIVE: Tracheal stenting for cicatricial stenoses is reserved for patients whose lesions are deemed inoperable for local or general reasons. The aim of our study was to verify the long-term results of silicone tracheal stents in such a clinical setting. METHODS: Clinical data of 45 patients treated by tracheal silicone stents, between 1987 and 1999, were reviewed. All patients had highly symptomatic cicatricial stenoses; they were selected for stenting rather than for surgery because of local and general conditions. This series has been divided in two groups according to the purpose of stenting: bridge to surgery or definitive treatment. Follow-up ranged between 12 and 83 months. Twenty-seven patients received a Montgomery T tube (Hood Laboratories, Pembroke, Mass), 16 a Dumon stent (Novatech, Plan de Gras, France), and 2 a Dynamic stent (Rusch, Kernen, Germany). RESULTS: No procedure-related mortality was observed. Nine patients underwent curative resection and reconstruction after a variable stenting period; one had a recurrent stenosis and was treated for palliation with a T tube. Tracheal stenting was performed for palliation as a definitive treatment in 37 patients. Among this group, 11 patients died of unrelated causes at a median of 10 months after the endoscopic treatment. The stent was permanently removed in 10 after a median interval of 32 months (range 9-70 months); in 4 others, symptomatic recurrence of the stenosis was observed within 6 weeks of stent removal. None of the patients successfully decannulated had a completely normal tracheal lumen but all remained asymptomatic because the residual stenosis was mild or well tolerated for concomitant limitation of physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment with a silicone stent was safe and well tolerated in cicatricial tracheal stenoses. This procedure can be considered as a bridge to curative surgery or as a definitive treatment. The latter, generally performed for palliation, may provide satisfactory therapeutic results in selected patients, even in the presence of severe circumferential stenoses.     

Management of malignant biliary stricture with self-expanding metallic stent

Background: Self-expanding metallic mesh stents are designed to remain patent longer than polyethylene (PE) stents, which generally clog in 3 to 4 months. Though more expensive, metal stents may therefore be a better choice for malignant strictures. Methods: From January 1991 to October 1995, we performed ERCP in 212 patients with malignant or benign strictures, and 34 ultimately had insertion of a metallic stent. These stents were placed by the percutaneous transhepatic route in 17 patients and endoscopically in 17. Results: Metallic stent insertion was successful in each case and relieved the preoperative jaundice and cholangitis. There were no procedure-related deaths; complications were pancreatitis (one) and hemorrhage (one). Overall stent patency was 6.2 months. Three of 34 stents occluded due to tumor ingrowth at 3, 4.5, and 8 months and were treated by placing a new PE stent through the blocked metal stent. The remaining 31 stents remained patent until patient death (n= 15, mean survival = 4.9 months) or are still open (n= 16, mean patency = 12.2 months). Conclusions: Self-expanding metal stents provide effective palliation of malignant biliary strictures and should be considered an alternative to open surgery. Metal stents remain patent much longer than PE stents and usually a single session of metal stenting can palliate biliary obstruction for life. Received: 20 March 1996/Accepted: 9 May 1996     

Endotracheal balloon dilatation and stent implantation in benign stenoses

BACKGROUND: Tracheal reconstruction is the treatment of choice in nontumorous tracheal stenoses, but recurrences and concomitant medical conditions limit this approach. We investigated the outcome after balloon dilatation and silicone stent implantation. METHODS: Forty-two patients with inoperable tracheal stenoses underwent balloon dilatation and afterward silicone stent implantation. Patients were divided into two groups, in group A 24 patients received tracheal stents as a temporary treatment. In group B, definitive stenting was done in 18 patients with severe concomitant medical conditions that did not allow for stent removal. RESULTS: Immediate results were satisfactory in all patients. In group A, stents could be removed in 12 patients after a mean interval of 20 months. Restenting was not required during the following 18.9 months. Twelve patients are still waiting for stent removal after a mean follow-up of 20 months. In group B, mean follow-up is now 48.4 months. Complications included retained secretions, dislocation, and granuloma formation. CONCLUSIONS: Stenting after balloon dilatation is safe and effective in benign tracheal stenoses. After temporary use, stents can be removed when local and general conditions permit. In all other patients, stenting proved beneficial for 5 years as more definitive treatment.     

Management of benign biliary strictures: biliary enteric anastomosis vs endoscopic stenting

HYPOTHESIS: Although advances in endoscopic procedures have provided alternative options for relieving biliary obstructions, the overall chance of cure for patients with benign biliary stricture is the same using surgical or endoscopic treatment. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS: Of 163 patients referred for treatment with diagnoses of benign strictures of the common bile duct between January 1, 1975, and July 1, 1998, we studied 42 patients with postcholecystectomy stricture and a follow-up longer than 60 months. Twenty of these patients were treated with endoscopic stenting and 22 with surgery (hepaticojejunostomy, choledochojejunostomy, or intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomy). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative mortality and morbidity and long-term outcome. The rate of restenosis was also determined. RESULTS: Morbidity occurred more frequently in patients treated with endoscopic procedures than with surgical ones (9 vs 2; P = .34). Hospital mortality was 0%. Surgery achieved excellent or good long-term outcome in 17 of 22 patients. Endoscopic biliary stenting was successful in 16 of 20 patients. Overall, excellent or good outcomes were achieved in 34 patients (81%). CONCLUSION: The ability to achieve steady, long-term results confirms hepaticojejunostomy as the best procedure in the treatment of benign biliary strictures, even if endoscopic procedures are gaining a new role in the treatment of a greater number of patients.     

Systematic appraisal of the role of metallic endobiliary stents in the treatment of benign bile duct stricture

OBJECTIVE: To carry out a systematic appraisal of the current status of the use of metallic endobiliary stents in the treatment of benign biliary strictures. METHODS: A computerized search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases identified 37 studies providing detailed clinical course data on outcome of metallic endobiliary stent placement in 400 patients. Pooled data were examined for etiology of stricture, indications for stent placement, procedure-related complications, and outcome with reference to stent patency. RESULTS: The median (range) number of patients per report was 8 (2-54) with a median recruitment period of 44 (9-126) months. The most frequent indications were postoperative biliary strictures in 123 (31%), stenosed biliary-enteric anastomoses in 79 (20%), and biliary strictures following liver transplantation in 88 (22%). During a median follow up of 31 (1-111) months, 139 (35%) stents occluded, and there are little patency data beyond 2 years after deployment, with 99 (25%) known to be patent at 3 years from stent placement. CONCLUSIONS: These pooled data on 400 patients constitute the largest collective report to date on the use of metallic endobiliary stents for benign biliary strictures. The results show a critical lack of data on long-term patency such that at the present time, metallic endobiliary stents should not be used for benign stricture in those patients with a predicted life expectancy greater than 2 years.     

Early migration of fully covered double-layered metallic stents for post-gastric bypass anastomotic strictures

INTRODUCTIONLaparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is well recognized for its efficiency in morbidly obese patients. Anastomotic strictures present in 5–15% of cases and have a significant impact on the patient's quality of life. Endoscopic balloon dilation is the recommended treatment but management of refractory cases is challenging.PRESENTATION OF CASETwo patients with anastomotic stenoses refractory to dilations were treated with fully covered esophageal stents. Both cases presented early stent migration. The first patient finally underwent surgical revision of the anastomosis. For the second patient, a double-layered stent was installed after the first incident. After the migration of this second stent, three sessions of intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide were performed. Both patients were free of obstructive symptoms at a follow-up of 9 months.DISCUSSIONTreatment of post-gastric bypass strictures with stents is based on years of successful experience with endoscopic stenting of malignant esophageal strictures, gastric outlet obstruction in addition to anastomotic stenoses after esophageal cancer surgery. The actual prosthesis are however inadequate for the particularities of the LRYGB anastomosis with a high migration rate. Intralesional corticosteroid injection therapy has been reported to be beneficial in the management of refractory benign esophageal strictures and seems to have prevented recurrence of the stenosis in this post-LRYGB.CONCLUSIONStents are aimed at preventing a complex surgical reintervention but are not yet specifically designed for that indication. Local infiltration of corticosteroids at the time of dilation may prevent recurrence of the anastomotic stricture.     

Long-term results of metallic stents for benign biliary strictures

BACKGROUND: Historically, surgical correction has been the treatment of choice for benign biliary strictures (BBS). Self-expandable metallic stents (MSs) have been useful for inoperable malignant biliary strictures; however, their use for BBS is controversial and their natural history unknown. HYPOTHESIS: To test our hypothesis that MSs provide only short-term benefit, we examined the long-term outcome of MSs for the treatment of BBS. Our goal was to develop a rational approach for treating BBS. DATA EXTRACTION: Between July 1990 and December 1995, 15 patients had MSs placed for BBS and have been followed up for a mean of 86.3 months (range, 55-120 months). The mean age of the patients was 66.6 years and 12 were women. Stents were placed for surgical injury in 5 patients and underlying disease in 10 patients (lithiasis, 7; pancreatitis, 2; and primary sclerosing cholangitis, 1). One or more MSs (Gianturco-Rosch "Z" for 4 patients and Wallstents for 11 patients) were placed by percutaneous, endoscopic, or combined approaches. We considered patients to have a good clinical outcome if the stent remained patent, they required 2 or fewer invasive interventions, and they had no biliary dilation on subsequent imaging. DATA SYNTHESIS: Metallic stents were successfully placed in all 15 patients, and the mean patency rate was 30.6 months (range, 7-120 months). Five patients (33%) had a good clinical result with stent patency from 55 to 120 months. Ten patients (67%) required more than 2 radiologic and/or endoscopic procedures for recurrent cholangitis and/or obstruction (range, 7-120 months). Five of the 10 patients developed complete stent obstruction at 8, 9, 10, 15, and 120 months and underwent surgical removal of the stent and bilioenteric anastomosis. Four of these 5 patients had strictures from surgical injuries. The patient who had surgical removal 10 years after MS placement developed cholangiocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical repair remains the treatment of choice for BBS. Metallic stents should only be considered for poor surgical candidates, intrahepatic biliary strictures, or failed attempts at surgical repair. Most patients with MSs will develop recurrent cholangitis or stent obstruction and require intervention. Chronic inflammation and obstruction may predispose the patient to cholangiocarcinoma.     

Endovascular reconstruction of intracranial arteries by stent placement and combined techniques

OBJECT: The authors investigated the feasibility, safety, and short-term outcome of stent treatment for intracranial aneurysms, stenoses, and dissections. METHODS: One hundred twenty-three consecutive patients with intracranial saccular, dissecting, and fusiform aneurysms, atherosclerotic lesions, and dissections were selected for intracranial stent implantation with or without adjunctive coil placement. One hundred eleven patients (mean age 47 years, range 3-73 years) underwent stent treatment; 12 patients (9.8%) were not treated. These 111 patients were divided into four groups: in Group 1 there were 62 patients with saccular aneurysms; Group 2 included nine patients (10 lesions) with dissecting or fusiform aneurysms; in Group 3 there were 36 patients with symptomatic intracranial atheromatous stenoses of more than 50%; and Group 4 included four patients with symptomatic intracranial dissections. All patients underwent computerized tomography scanning and/or magnetic resonance imaging and cerebral digital subtraction angiography preoperatively. Of the 72 aneurysms in Groups 1 and 2, 59 (82%) were treated with combined endovascular stent implantation and endosaccular coil placement. In 67 aneurysms (93%) we achieved complete or nearly complete obliteration. All patients with arterial narrowing achieved residual stenoses of less than 30% postangioplasty. One patient required repeated angioplasty. The morbidity rate in the series was 10.9% and the mortality rate was 6.3%. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that stent treatment is feasible and seems to be an effective modality for arterial reconstruction. This versatile tool allows the treatment of a wide variety of challenging intracranial lesions.     

Endoscopic biliary stenting: Plastic stent or expandable metallic stent?

Since its introduction 1979, endoscopic biliary stenting has become the method of first choice to treat cholestasis in malignant or benign biliary obstuction or leakage of biliary fistulas. The success rate of endoscopic biliary stenting generally exceeds 90% and procedure-related complications are rare. Although metal stents are becoming more popular, plastic stents are still the first choice. Their major drawback is occlusion with sludge mediated by bacteria. Pharmaco-chemical measures failed to prevent occlusion. With Teflon material and a 10-French stent, stent exchange rates were reduced to 15% in patients with malignant biliary obstruction, the shape without sideholes showing the best results. Stent exchange is easily feasable. Metal stents are expensive and more difficult to handle. Occlusion with sludge is rare, but patency is limited by tumor ingrowth. Metal stents may be indicated in selected patients, such as those with recurrent stent occlusion causing cholangitis. If only a small-caliber prosthesis (7-Fr) can be placed (e.g. in Klatskin tumor) metal stents may have a longer patency than plastic stents. Metal stents should not be used in benign biliary obstruction because these stents are not removable.     

A rare cause for Hartmann’s procedure due to biliary stent migration: A case report

IntroductionBiliary stent migration (proximal or distal) occurs in 6% of all cases. The majority of these migrating stents are passing through the intestine, without causing any complications. Usually when a stent migration occurs, endoscopic retrieval is the proper treatment option, except in case of complications when surgical removal is the only treatment option. This report presents a case of a biliary stent which migrated and caused a sigmoid colon perforation.Presentation of caseA 75 years old female patient presented to the emergency department with diffuse abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Clinical examination showed distended abdomen and signs of peritoneal irritation.CT scan of the abdomen revealed free gas and fluid in the left iliac fossa, as well as a foreign body penetrating the sigmoid colon. Emergency laparotomy was performed. A plastic stent was found perforating the sigmoid colon through a diverticulum. The rest of the sigmoid colon was intact presenting only uncomplicated diverticula. Hartmann’s operation was performed, involving the diseased segment, together with part of the descending colon due to profound diverticulosis. Patient’s post-surgical course was uneventful and was discharged on postoperative day 10.DiscussionMigration of a biliary stent can cause life-threatening complications such as perforation of the intestine and peritonitis. The migration of the stent from the biliary tree may be mostly asymptomatic except in cases of intestinal perforation that immediate surgery is the proper treatment option. On the other hand, even in cases of benign lesions of the bile duct, the stent should be removed immediately after dislocation in order to reduce the risk of secondary complications such as obstruction, infection or perforation.ConclusionIn cases of non-complicated stent migration endoscopic retrieval is the indicated treatment. In patients who suffer serious complications due to stent dislocation, emergency surgery may be the proper treatment option.     

Combined open and endovascular stent grafting of internal carotid artery fibromuscular dysplasia: long term results.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) can present as thrombo-embolic ischemic events, spontaneous or post-traumatic dissection, aneurysmal degeneration or intracranial haemorrhage and needs definitive surgical treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six patients and nine ICA with FMD were revascularised using a carotid approach with minimal exposure of the common, external and internal carotid arteries for covered stent repair. All patients were female, the age ranged from 30 to 65 years (mean 44). RESULTS: One patient suffered from a perioperative transient neurological deficit. Duplex revealed a patent stent. The patient fully recovered after 5h, not showing any changes on repeat CT scans. One patient developed a recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. The symptoms gradually resolved within 1 month. No perioperative strokes or deaths occurred. During a mean follow up of 48 months (range 13-63) no thromboembolic neurological events, graft occlusions or haemodynamically significant stenoses occurred. CONCLUSION: ICA FMD stent grafting is an alternative to open surgery or percutaneous endovascular intervention with excellent long-term results.     

Outpatient treatment of arterial inflow stenoses of dysfunctional hemodialysis access fistulas by retrograde venous access puncture and catheterization

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of endovascular treatment of inflow stenoses in arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) through retrograde venous access catheterization. METHODS: We included all 22 dysfunctional AVFs with arterial inflow stenoses at access imaging between January 2002 and September 2006. Following retrograde venous access puncture, an interventional radiologist intended to cross the arteriovenous anastomosis and advance a catheter into the aortic arch. After depiction of the complete vascular access tree, angioplasty and/or stent placement was aimed for stenoses with a >50% luminal diameter reduction at digital subtraction angiography (DSA). RESULTS: In one radiocephalic AVF, a catheter could not be positioned into the aortic arch after retrograde venous access puncture. DSA depicted 28 inflow stenoses in the remaining 21 patients (11 radiocephalic AVFs and 10 brachiocephalic AVFs). Clinical improvement was obtained in 18 out of 19 patients with a technically successful intervention (<30% residual stenosis after angioplasty or stent placement). Following endovascular therapy, access flow of 12 patients with a low flow access improved from 431 +/- 150 ml/min to 818 +/- 233 ml/min, and four patients with steal symptoms became symptom free. One nonmaturing fistula could be salvaged by angioplasty, and access cannulation problems were solved in another patient following angioplasty. Brachial artery stent placement did not reduce steal symptoms in one case, whereas two patients, in whom stent placement was not thought desirable, showed a >30% residual arterial stenosis after angioplasty. No complications were observed at DSA and endovascular intervention. CONCLUSION: Retrograde venous access puncture and catheterization, as an alternative to a potentially more hazardous brachial artery or more invasive femoral artery approach, should be considered for the visualization of the arterial inflow and endovascular treatment of inflow stenoses.     

Colovesical fistula secondary to the migration of a biliary stent. Case report

BACKGROUND: The endoscopic placement of endoprostheses to decompress biliary obstruction is a commonly used treatment for malignant biliary diseases and is also used in the treatment of benign biliary strictures. Unusual complications of endoprosthesis placement have been described and include the migration of the stent. We present a case to share with the scientific community, an unusual complication secondary to the migration of a biliary stent that has not previously been reported to our knowledge. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 47-year-old female with a diagnosis of benign papillary stenosis. The patient received a biliary endoprosthesis with clinical improvement. Later she underwent open cholecystectomy and common duct exploration. At consultation 18 months later, the patient presents with indistinct lower abdominal pain and dysuria. We performed imaging studies where the biliary stent was observed, partly in the sigmoid colon and partly in the bladder. The patient underwent surgery where a colovesical fistula was found and treated during the same surgical event. The patient was discharged succesfully.     

Discussion

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the results of surgery and endoscopy for benign biliary strictures in one institution, over the same period of time and with the same outcome definitions. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Surgery is considered the treatment of choice, offering more than 80% long-term success. Endoscopic stenting has been reported to yield similar results and might be a useful alternative. METHODS: In this nonrandomized retrospective study, 101 patients with benign biliary strictures were included. Thirty-five patients were treated surgically and 66 by endoscopic stenting. Patient characteristics, initial trauma, previous repairs, and level of obstruction were comparable in both groups. Surgical therapy consisted of constructing a biliary-digestive anastomosis in normal ductal tissue. Endoscopic therapy consisted of placement of endoprostheses, with trimonthly elective exchange for a 1-year period. RESULTS: Mean length of follow-up was 50 +/- 3.8 and 42 +/- 4.2 months for surgery and endoscopy, respectively. Early complications occurred more frequently in the surgically treated group (p < 0.03). Late complications during therapy, occurred only in the endoscopically treated group. In 46 patients, the endoprostheses were eventually removed. Recurrent stricturing occurred in 17% in both surgical and endoscopic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery and endoscopy for benign biliary strictures have similar long-term success rates. Indications for surgery are complete transections, failed previous repairs, and failures of endoscopic therapy. All other patients are candidates for endoscopic stenting as the initial treatment.     

The management of post-intubation tracheal stenoses with self-expandable stents: early and long-term results in 11 cases

Objective: The optimal management of post-intubation tracheal stenoses is surgical reconstruction of the airway. Stenting of the trachea using silastic T-tubes or one of the various types of tracheal stents are the alternative ways to surgical reconstruction for the management of post-intubation tracheal stenoses. The early and long-term results of 11 patients with post-intubation tracheal stenosis, who underwent tracheal stenting with self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs), are presented. Methods: Twelve patients (10 men, mean age: 47.8 ± 20.4 years) with post-intubation tracheal stenosis were referred for tracheal stenting with SEMS (2000–2004). In three cases, the upper tracheal stenosis extended within the subglottic larynx. Stenting was successful in 11 patients, while, in one patient with involvement of the subglottic larynx, the attempt to insert the stent failed. Follow-up time varied from 6 to 96 months, and it was made with virtual and fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Results: Immediate relief of obstructive symptoms was observed in all the 11 patients, where an SEMS was successfully inserted. Stent dislodgement occurred shortly after the procedure in two patients, and it was treated with insertion of a new stent in the first case and a stent-on-stent insertion in the second. Good patency of the stent was observed in three patients for 60–96 months. Three patients with good patency of the stent died from other reasons 24–48 months after stent insertion. Four patients developed obstructive granulation tissue at the ends of the stent after 12–43 months, requiring further treatment with thermal lasers and/or tracheostomy. One patient underwent stent removal and successful laryngotracheal reconstruction 6 months after stent insertion. Conclusions: The application of SEMS in post-intubation tracheal stenoses results in immediate improvement of obstructive symptoms without significant perioperative complications. SEMSs have the potential risks of migration and of granulation tissue formation at the end of the stent. SEMS should be applied only in strictly selected patients with post-intubation tracheal stenosis, who are considered unfit for surgery and/or with limited life expectancy.     

Indikationen zur Therapie von Stenosen der A. carotis

The annual stroke risk for patients with asymptomatic stenoses of the carotid artery is around 1% in case of <70% stenosis (NASCET criteria) and 2-5% in patients with >70% stenosis. The risk of recurrent ischemic events for patients with symptomatic stenoses is much higher, around 15% during the first year. For more than 10 years, the efficacy of carotid surgery has been proven, and there is growing evidence to support surgery in case of asymptomatic stenosis. Patients with severe stenoses, male or elderly patients, and those with bilateral stenoses benefit more from surgery. Carotid artery stenting has not proven its safety or efficacy. Despite this lack of evidence, the method is used in many centers as an alternative to surgery. Especially symptomatic carotid artery stenosis should be used mainly in the setting of a randomized trial such as SPACE.     

Clinical outcome of simultaneous self-expandable metal stents for palliation of malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction

Background: Previous studies have shown that self-expanding metal stents are an effective method for palliation of malignant biliary or duodenal obstruction. We present our experience with the use of simultaneous self-expandable metal stents for palliation of malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing simultaneous biliary and duodenal self-expandable metal stent placement between November 98 and May 2001. All the patients had documented evidence of biliary obstruction and symptomatic duodenal obstruction. The patients received endoscopic biliary stenting with biliary Ultraflex or Wallstents, and endoscopic duodenal stenting using enteral Wallstents. They were followed until their death. Results: We identified 18 patients (11 men and 7 women) whose mean age was 65 years, (range, 46–85 years). Malignancies included pancreatic 14 (78%), biliary 2 (11%), lymphoma 1 (5%), and metastatic 1 (5%) disorders. Ten patients previously had plastic biliary stents placed for past malignant biliary obstruction (4 patients had recurrent biliary obstruction). All the patients had evidence of duodenal obstruction. Combined metal stenting was successful in 17 patients. One procedure failed due to a tortuous duodenal stricture. All the patients had effective palliation of biliary obstruction, as evidenced by a decrease in the level of total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase. Of the 17 patients with successful duodenal stenting, 16 had a good clinical outcome, with relief of obstructive symptoms. No immediate stent-related complications were noted. During the follow-up period, 12 patients died of progression of the underlying malignancy. None of the deaths were stent related. Median survival time was 78 days. Two patients had recurrent biliary obstruction from tumor ingrowth at 45 and 68 days, respectively. Both underwent restenting: one by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and the other by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC). Two other patients had recurrent duodenal obstruction, respectively, 36 and 45 days after the initial stenting. One obstruction was secondary to tumor ingrowth, and the other was caused by distal stent migration. Both patients had successful duodenal restenting. Conclusion: Combined self-expandable metal stenting for simultaneous palliation of malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction may provide a safe and less invasive alternative to surgical palliation with an acceptable clinical outcome. Simultaneous self-expandable metal stents should be considered as a treatment option for patients who are poor candidates for surgery.     

Prospective Randomized Study of T-Tube versus Biliary Stent for Common Bile duct decompression after Open Choledocotomy

The T-tube has been the alternative of choice for decompression following common bile duct (CBD) exploration. The development of laparoscopic surgery has suggested using a biliary stent as an alternative to the T-tube following choledochotomy. The purpose of this prospective randomized study was to compare clinical results obtained from patients who underwent open CBD exploration using a biliary stent versus those from patients with a T-tube for decompression. Between September 2000 and June 2002 a total of 81 patients were randomly assigned to a biliary stent or a T-tube as the decompression method following choledochotomy. An open CBD exploration was performed when CBD stones were suspected, in both elective and emergency settings. The length of the postoperative hospital stay was 6.8 ± 4.7 days for patients with the T-tube and of 5.2 ± 3.3 days for, patients with the biliary stent (p = 0.19). Postoperative complications were observed in 13 patients (30 %) with the T-tube and in 4 patients (11% ) with the biliary stent (p = 0.03). One patient with a biliary stent was reoperated because of an intraabdominal abscess, and another patient was reoperated because of biliary peritonitis following T-tube removal. Three patients (7%) with a biliary stent and one patient (3%) with a T-tube were rehospitalized. There were no deaths. The T-tube and biliary stent were removed 27.1 ± 10.8 days and 34.9 ± 12.9 days after surgery, respectively (p = 0.24). The biliary stent is a safe alternative to the T-tube as a biliary decompression method following an open CBD exploration. This work was presented at the 12th World Congress of the International Association of Surgeons and Gastroenterologist, Istanbul, Turkey, November 2002. It was published in a non-English-language journal, as cited in reference 14.     

Endoscopic palliative treatment of the common bile duct at the hepatic hilum. Results in 583 patients treated in a single center over a 10-year period

BACKGROUND: The outcomes of endoscopic biliary drainage for malignant stenoses at the hepatic hilum were retrospectively evaluated. METHODS: From January 1990 to June 2001, 583 patients, 368 males, average age 69+/-18.5 years, were recruited. Endoscopic procedure consisted of insertion of 1 ore multiple stents, plastic or metallic, across the stricture, under mild sedation. RESULTS: Successful stent insertion was achieved in 518/583 (88.8%) patients and successful drainage in 474 (81.3%) patients. Early complications were observed in 101 (17.3%) patients with related-mortality of 17 (2.9%) patients. Late complications occurred in 39.9% of patients. Survival was of 189 days, on average. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic palliation should be the initial management of choice for malignant biliary stenoses at the hepatic hilum.