Long-term follow-up in patients with malignant biliary obstruction after percutaneous placement of uncovered wallstent endoprostheses.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice by percutaneous insertion of uncovered stents.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 51 patients (35 men, 16 women) with inoperable malignant biliary obstruction underwent percutaneous placement of uncovered Wallstent biliary endoprostheses. A total of 65 endoprostheses were inserted.

RESULTS: The technical success rate was 98%, and the procedure-related complications rate was 10%. Early complications rate within the first 30 days was 2%. The clinical success rate within the first 30 days was 98% and the 30-day mortality rate was 2%. The late complications rate was 16%. The overall stent occlusion rate was 18% at a mean of 288.4 days. Mean survival time of the 50 patients was 214 days, and the mean total duration of hospital stay was 9.8 days.

CONCLUSIONS: The advantages of uncovered Wallstent endoprostheses justify their placement in patients with inoperable malignant obstructive jaundice since patients' quality of life is markedly improved. Stent insertion is associated with a low complication rate, most stents remain patent longer than the patients' survival time and patients' hospital stay is relatively short.