[Percutaneous biliary prostheses. Type of material and indications]

The results of percutaneous transhepatic endoprosthesis in the treatment of biliary stenosis are discussed on the basis of the reports of the literature and a personal experience of more than 400 patients treated for about 15 years. Advantages and disadvantages of conventional stents as compared with metal endoprosthesis are discussed, the latter being now preferred by most authors. However they do not prove to be more efficient than conventional stents which are suitable for those patients who have a relatively short life expectancy. Percutaneous treatment of benign biliary stenosis has grown as well but the choice of the best procedure remains difficult. Metal endoprostheses are controversial because the risk of delayed obstruction has not yet been clearly evaluated. However it might become an interesting therapeutic procedure in the future.