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Malignant biliary obstruction treated by Wallstents and Strecker tantalum stents: a retrospective review
Purpose:
To evaluate retrospectively the role and the effectiveness of self-expandable Wallstents and balloon-expandable Strecker stents in patients with inoperable malignant obstruction of the biliary tree.
Methods:
Fifty patients with malignant biliary obstruction were treated from August 1991 to August 1992 by percutaneous placement of 55 metallic endoprostheses (39 Wallstents, 16 Strecker stents). All patients were followed by clinical evaluation, laboratory data, and ultrasonographic examination until death.
Results:
Wallstent placement was successful in 36 patients without procedure-related complications. One partial occlusion after 1 year was resolved by percutaneous balloon dilatation. Fourteen patients were treated with 16 Strecker stents. Stenting was unsuccessful in four cases; four occlusions (after 6 h, 48 h, 2 and 6 months) were encountered.
Conclusion:
Wallstent endoprostheses have good results and long-term patency. There were some problems with Strecker stents during the placement and there was a higher occlusion rate.