Best endoscopic stents for the biliary tree and pancreas.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To determine trends in pancreaticobiliary stents over the past 12-18 months.

RECENT FINDINGS

Metal biliary stents continue to be used for palliation of malignant distal biliary obstruction with superior patency to plastic stents. The use of covered metal biliary stents is increasingly being used for the management of benign biliary disease. Plastic stents predominate in patients with pancreatic disease, with the exception of transmural drainage of pancreatic necrosis. In both biliary and pancreatic disorders, there is a trend towards greater utilization of endoscopic ultrasound-guided interventions.

SUMMARY

Endoscopic placement of pancreaticobiliary stents plays an important role in the treatment of complex benign and malignant disease. Further comparative trials are needed to determine the optimal role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural stent placement.