Role of endoscopic stenting for biliary strictures in chronic pancreatitis

To review the published work concerning the role of biliary stenting for chronic pancreatitis-related strictures.

A case study in which multiple plastic stents are used to manage a chronic pancreatitis biliary stricture is presented, and the published work reviewed.

There has been a gradual evolution in the endoscopic management of distal biliary strictures secondary to chronic pancreatitis. Most early series used single (usually 10 F) plastic stents for varying time periods. Long-term stricture resolution occurred in only approximately 25% of patients and stent-related complications were high if stent exchanges were not performed routinely every 3-4 months. Recent studies using multiple (≥ 3) 10 F stents placed sequentially every few months for approximately 12 months have resulted in resolution of biliary strictures in up to 90% of patients. In general, the use of both uncovered and partially covered self-expandable metal stents for biliary strictures due to chronic pancreatitis have been disappointing due to problems with epithelial hyperplasia involving the uncovered portions of the self-expandable metal stents resulting in late stent occlusion and other problems. Similarly, early published data does not at this stage support the routine use of fully covered self-expandable metal stents because of unacceptable stent-related complications.

Chronic pancreatitis-related biliary strictures should be managed initially with sequentially-placed multiple 10 F plastic stents for approximately 12 months.