Long-Term Outcomes of Different Stents for Benign Biliary Strictures Caused by Chronic Pancreatitis

Endoscopic biliary stenting was performed using standard techniques. The maximum bile duct diameter and length of stricture were measured after visualization on x-ray films by retrograde cholangiography. If necessary, sphincterotomy or dilation of the stricture was performed before insertion of the stent. Endoscopic stenting comprised the placement of a single plastic stent. Stents were exchanged at regular intervals or when signs of stent dysfunction were present. If imaging evaluation demonstrated spontaneous passage of the stent with resolution of the stricture, ERCP for stent retrieval was no longer necessary.

Endoscopic biliary stenting was performed using standard techniques. The maximum bile duct diameter and length of stricture were measured after visualization on x-ray films by retrograde cholangiography. If necessary, sphincterotomy or dilation of the stricture was performed before insertion of the stent. Endoscopic stenting comprised the placement of multiple plastic stents. Stents were exchanged at regular intervals or when signs of stent dysfunction were present. If imaging evaluation demonstrated spontaneous passage of the stent with resolution of the stricture, ERCP for stent retrieval was no longer necessary.

Endoscopic biliary stenting was performed using standard techniques. The maximum bile duct diameter and length of stricture were measured after visualization on x-ray films by retrograde cholangiography. If necessary, sphincterotomy or dilation of the stricture was performed before insertion of the stent. Endoscopic stenting comprised the placement of fully covered self-expanding metal stents (fcSEMS) . Stents were exchanged at regular intervals or when signs of stent dysfunction were present. If imaging evaluation demonstrated spontaneous passage of the stent with resolution of the stricture, ERCP for stent retrieval was no longer necessary.