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Evidence summaries

Metallic Biliary Stents for Benign Biliary Duct Stricture

The long-term patency of metal biliary stents for benign bile duct stricture may be poor. Level of evidence: "C"

A systematic review 1 including 37 studies (all of which were case series) with a total of 400 subjects was abstracted in DARE. During follow-up, 139 (35%) patients experienced stent occlusion. The median delay to the first episode of occlusion was 9 months (range: 1 week to 67 months). number of stents known to be patent without prior occlusion was 258 (65%) at 1 year, 151 (38%) at 2 years, 99 (25%) at 3 years, 54 (14%) at 4 years and 16 (4%) at 5 years.

Comment: The authors conclude that metallic endobiliary stents should not currently be used for benign stricture in those patients with a predicted life expectancy of greater than 2 years.

    References

    • Siriwardana HP, Siriwardena AK. Systematic appraisal of the role of metallic endobiliary stents in the treatment of benign bile duct stricture. Ann Surg 2005 Jul;242(1):10-9. [PubMed] [DARE]

Primary/Secondary Keywords