Electrolytic stent in the normal bile duct. An experimental study.

PURPOSE

To evaluate and compare changes in the bile-duct wall after the insertion of electrolytic and nonelectrolytic stents.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The electrolytic stents were composed of 3 different layers (iron, isolating polyethylene and tantalum) and were implanted surgically in the bile duct of 8 healthy pigs. The nonelectrolytic stents were also composed of 3 layers (2 layers of tantalum and an isolating layer of polyethylene) and were implanted surgically in the bile ducts of 9 healthy pigs. After an observation time of 8 weeks, the pigs were killed and the bile ducts were excised and sent for histopathological examination.

RESULTS

One pig was killed after the procedure owing to postoperative complications; all the other pigs survived without complications. Migration of the stent to the bowel occurred in 4 pigs. A slight inflammatory reaction was seen at histopathological examination in 6 pigs with the electrolytic stent and in 6 pigs with the nonelectrolytic stent. There was no difference in the specimens from pigs with electrolytic and nonelectrolytic stents.

CONCLUSIONS

The electrolytic stents did not cause more changes in the normal bile-duct wall than the nonelectrolytic stents.