Long-term outcomes of covered self-expandable metal stents for treating benign biliary strictures

Fully covered, self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMSs) are acceptable tools for treating benign biliary stricture (BBS). However, little is known about the long-term outcomes of this technique. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the procedural and long-term outcomes of FCSEMSs for treating BBSs.

A total of 134 consecutive patients (median age 56 years; range 21 - 83) with BBS were retrospectively reviewed. The main outcomes were technical and clinical success, stricture resolution, recurrence, and adverse events. Outcomes were analyzed by reviewing patient medical records.

The success rates of FCSEMS placement and removal were 99.3 % and 98.2 %, respectively. Stricture resolution occurred in 103/132 (78.0 %) of the patients (median stent duration, 93 days; range 1 - 489). The associated factors for stricture resolution were longer stent indwelling period (≥ 120 days) and absence of stent migration. Stricture recurrence was seen in 26/103 patients (25.2 %; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.17 - 0.34) within a median of 390 days (range 4 - 903 days). Chronic pancreatitis was associated with stricture recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] 2.59, 95 %CI 1.20 - 5.61; P = 0.02). Stent migration occurred in 41/132 patients (31.1 %; 95 %CI 0.23 - 0.39). The FCSEMS with anchoring flaps appeared to protect against stent migration (HR 0.22, 95 %CI 0.08 - 0.63; P < 0.01).

FCSEMSs had a high success rate for BBS resolution. Longer indwelling periods and the absence of stent migration might be important factors for stricture resolution.