Gianturco-Rosch biliary stents: preliminary experience

Results of long-term follow-up are reported for nine patients who underwent placement of Gianturco-Rosch expandable metallic stents. Seven patients had malignant disease. The average duration of patency was 7 months. In one patient with inactive primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), the stents remained patent at 22 months, but recurrent stent closure was seen in a second patient with PSC. In the patient population studied, no advantages were seen with use of the stents; however, they may have an application in certain patients with benign disease.