Irradiation stent insertion for distal biliary obstruction secondary to primary common biliary cancer

Abstract

Purpose

To assess the effectiveness and safety of irradiation stent insertion for patients with distal biliary obstruction (DBO) secondary to primary common biliary cancer.

Material and methods

Eighty-two consecutive patients with DBO secondary to primary common biliary cancer were treated via either normal (n = 45) or irradiation stenting (n = 37) between January 2013 and December 2019. The instant and long-term outcomes were compared.

Results

Technical success rates of normal and irradiation stenting were both 100%. Clinical success rates of normal and irradiation stenting were 91.1 and 100%, respectively (p = .179). Stent reobstruction was observed in 13 and 7 patients in the normal and irradiation stenting groups, respectively (p = .295). The median stent patency was 162 and 225 days in the normal and irradiation stenting groups, respectively (p < .001). The median survival was 178 and 250 days in the normal and irradiation stenting groups, respectively (p < .001). Cholangitis was, respectively, observed in 8 and 12 patients in normal and irradiation stenting groups (p = .124).

Conclusion

Irradiation stenting is effective and safe for patients with DBO secondary to primary common biliary cancer and can prolong stent patency and survival.

Keywords:

• Stent
• irradiation
• obstructive
• common biliary cancer

Declaration of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.