Covered removable self-expandable metal [corrected] stents for the treatment of refractory benign biliary disease. 2012
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to verify the use of covered removable self-expandable metal stents (CRSEMS) in benign biliary disease after a failure of traditional endoscopic treatment. METHODS A total of 23 patients who failed traditional endoscopic therapy were enrolled in the study and treated with CRSEMS. RESULTS Among all the patients, 11 had a bile leak and 12 suffered benign biliary stenosis. Technical success and immediate clinical success were achieved in all the patients. The overall long-term clinical success rate after stent removal was 100%. The CRSEMS were left in place for a median of 47 days (range 30-240 days). Immediate complications occurred in one patient, stent migration in two and overgrowth of inflammatory tissue in the stent in two. CONCLUSIONS CRSEMS is an excellent treatment option for patients with benign biliary disease.