[First clinical experience with a new nitinol stent in the biliary system].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical usefulness of a new nitinol biliary stent (Memotherm) in patients with malignant biliary obstruction. 32 self expanding nitinol stents were applied in 17 patients. The following parameters were investigated: Difficulty of placement, lateral stability and patency over an observation time between 3 weeks and 11 months.


RESULTS
In 29/32 stent application could be performed with high precision. In 3/32 we observed a displacement about 1 cm--according to the optimal stent position. Stent shortening was about 5 mm in 31/32 stents, secondary shortening only occurred in one patient with primarily distracted stent design. Lateral stability was sufficient in 21/25 stenoses with the consequence that dilatation was only performed in 4 cases. Average stent patency was 4.8 months, the average survival 5.1 months. Because of his special design, this stent may not be used for a stenosis with angulation higher than 90 degrees.


CONCLUSIONS
Basing on a small calibre introducing system, easy placement, predictable minimal shortening and good lateral stability, the Memotherm seems an interesting alternative to other metal stents.
Friedrich
J M
JM
Abteilung für Röntgendiagnostik, Universität Ulm.
Vogel
J
J
Görich
J
J
Rieber
A
A
Rilinger
N
N
Brambs
H J
HJ
D000497:Alloys; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000556:secondary; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D015607:Stents
D000497:Alloys; C013616:nitinol
Erste klinische Erfahrung mit einem neuen Nitinolstent im biliären System.