Randomised trial of prevention of biliary stent occlusion by ursodeoxycholic acid plus norfloxacin.
Biliary stents are liable to clog. We investigated whether a choleretic plus an antibiotic could delay clogging. 20 consecutive patients with a malignant biliary stricture were randomised after endoscopic insertion of a polyethylene stent to receive ursodeoxycholic acid plus norfloxacin (13-15 mg/kg and 400 mg, daily) or conservative treatment. The drug combination was associated with: a longer median patency of first (49 vs 6 weeks) and all stents (38 vs 7 weeks); a prolonged median survival (67 vs 18 weeks); and a shorter mean hospital stay (0.2 vs 1.0 days per week of survival). Thus ursodeoxycholic acid plus norfloxacin may prevent stent clogging.
Barrioz
T
T
Hepatology Unit, University Hospital, Poitiers, France.
Ingrand
P
P
Besson
I
I
de Ledinghen
V
V
Silvain
C
C
Beauchant
M
M
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001652:Bile Ducts; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D009643:Norfloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid; D009643:Norfloxacin