[First clinical experience with a new nitinol stent in the biliary system]

To evaluate the clinical usefulness of a new nitinol biliary stent (Memotherm) in patients with malignant biliary obstruction. 32 self expanding nitinol stents were applied in 17 patients. The following parameters were investigated: Difficulty of placement, lateral stability and patency over an observation time between 3 weeks and 11 months.

In 29/32 stent application could be performed with high precision. In 3/32 we observed a displacement about 1 cm--according to the optimal stent position. Stent shortening was about 5 mm in 31/32 stents, secondary shortening only occurred in one patient with primarily distracted stent design. Lateral stability was sufficient in 21/25 stenoses with the consequence that dilatation was only performed in 4 cases. Average stent patency was 4.8 months, the average survival 5.1 months. Because of his special design, this stent may not be used for a stenosis with angulation higher than 90 degrees.

Basing on a small calibre introducing system, easy placement, predictable minimal shortening and good lateral stability, the Memotherm seems an interesting alternative to other metal stents.