[Endoscopic management of benign strictures of the common bile duct]

3 females with benign hepatic duct strictures were treated endoscopically. The treatment consisted of placement of one or two endoprostheses in all cases and endoscopic balloon dilatation in two cases. The stent was removed from the first patient--who had hepatic duct stones as well--after a 15 months stenting period and mechanical lithotripsy and balloon dilatation were performed with good results. The second and third patient-after stent insertion--was operated with suspicion of malignancy. Tumor was not proved. In the second patient the endoscopically placed stent was changed by a large diameter teflon stent surgically. The third patient's stents were left in place. These stents were removed after 3 months and balloon dilatation was performed. Patients' jaundice subsided and cholangitis improved following the stent insertion.

Stent occlusion developed and common bile duct stones occurred once. There was not observed any other complication. Benign hepatic duct strictures can be treated by combination of prolonged endoscopic biliary stenting and balloon dilatation successfully.