Endoscopic management of biliary fistulas with small caliber stents

Biliary fistulas have in the past been managed by a variety of methods, including surgical correction or endoscopic sphincterotomy. From 1984 to 1989, we used endoscopic indwelling biliary stents in seven consecutive patients with and without sphincterotomy and have attained fistula closure in all patients studied. The etiologies of the fistulous tracts varied, as did the type and number of stents used. The duration of time between stent placement and observed closure of the fistulous tracts ranged from 3 days to 5 months. Of note, all patients had a dramatic reduction of drainage within the first week. From our study we conclude that surgical correction of biliary fistulas is not required, that sphincterotomy is not mandatory for stent placement or fistula management in patients without distal obstruction, and that a single, small caliber stent alone may be effective.