[The retrograde endoscopically implantable, self-expanding endoprosthesis (stent) in malignant choledochal stenoses]

Self-expanding, wire-mesh stents, 10 mm in diameter, were implanted retrogradely through the papilla of Vater via an endoscopically introduced catheter system in 14 patients (9 females, 5 males, mean age 70.2 [44-85] years) with stenosis of the common bile duct by malignant tumour. Postimplantation examinations revealed no complications caused by the stent. Two of the patients have since died from their underlying disease, the others have survived an average of 10.8 weeks with markedly reduced clinical symptoms, neither jaundice nor signs of cholestasis having recurred. Serum bilirubin concentration had fallen from a mean of 8.2 mg/dl to 1.7 mg/dl 12 weeks after the procedure. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity had similarly fallen, from 515 to 330 U/l. No increase in serum amylase activity was recorded, either initially or in the course of follow-up.