Role of metallic stents for the treatment of biliary obstruction
- The use of permanent metallic stents for the treatment of malignant biliary obstruction is well accepted, especially for inoperable patients whose life expectancies are 6 to 12 months.
- In these patients, metallic stents have been shown to be cost effective and provide a better quality of life than external catheters.
- Long-term patency of noncovered metallic stents is poor, with an occlusion rate of 30% to 60% by 6 months, and nearly all patients require reintervention within 1 year.
- The use of metallic stents in benign disease remains highly controversial.
