Retrospective comparison of different percutaneous approaches to manage occluded primary uncovered self-expandable metal stents in patients with unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction.

Purpose: To compare different percutaneous approaches to manage occluded primary uncovered self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) in patients with unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO).Materials and

Methods

A retrospective study was performed in patients with MHBO who underwent percutaneous management of occluded primary uncovered SEMS between January 2014 and January 2018. Patients were assigned into three groups based on the types of secondary stents, which included SEMS, internal-external drainage (IED), and external drainage (ED). Clinical success, requirement for reintervention, survival times, complications, and cost were evaluated.

Results

A total of 58 patients were identified, with 21, 9, and 28 patients received SEMS, IED, and ED treatments, respectively. The overall clinical success rate was 67.2% (39/58), with no significant difference among three groups (p = .489). The median time to reintervention was 82, 57, and 61 days for the SEMS, IED, and ED groups, respectively (p = .045 for SEMS vs. IED; p = .011 for SEMS vs. ED). There was no significant difference in the median survival times among three groups (p = .308). Seven patients (12.7%) experienced minor complications including self-limiting haemobilia (n = 3) and catheter-related pain (n = 4). Fourteen patients (24.1%) had major complications, including early cholangitis (n = 8), pancreatitis (n = 3), stent dislodgement (n = 2), and bile leakage (n = 1). There was no statistical difference in the mean cost of the management of occluded primary SEMS between the three groups (p = .162).

Conclusion

Uncovered SEMS could provide a longer duration to reintervention compared to the catheter drainages to manage occluded primary SEMS in patients with unresectable MHBO.