Malignant biliary obstruction: treatment with self-expandable stainless steel endoprosthesis.

Metal endoprostheses of the Wallstent type were successfully inserted percutaneously and endoscopically in 80 consecutive patients with malignant obstructive biliary stenoses, who were followed for up to 18 months. The indication for treatment was jaundice due to malignant biliary obstruction. Repeat radiological investigations were performed if the patient had symptoms suggesting stent occlusion. After stent implantation, 88% of patients demonstrated a serum bilirubin decrease by more than 50%. We observed a 15% rate of serious complications, including a 10% rate of cholangitis with septicemia. There were no cases of stent migration or occlusion due to encrustation of bile. Recurrent jaundice occurred in 17.5% of patients due to progressive tumor growth after 3-10 months. In 5 of these patients, tumor overgrowth was redilated and/or restented. Of the 80 patients, 34% are alive after 2-12 months (mean: 242 days); of these, two-thirds are free of jaundice. Sixty-six percent of patients died between 3 days and 1.5 years (mean: 133 days). Although autopsy investigations revealed the possibility of tumor growth onto the inner surface of the stent, through the mesh of the endoprosthesis, no stent occlusion by tumor ingrowth into the lumen occurred. Self-expandable stainless steel endoprostheses provide good palliation in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice.