title: Endoscopically placed Gianturco endoprosthesis in the treatment of malignant and benign biliary obstruction.
abstract: Since the introduction of the Z-stent by Cesare Gianturco in 1985, the prominent role of endoscopically placed transpapillary endoprostheses as the treatment of choice to relieve malignant biliary obstruction has stimulated much interest and research in the evolution of his initial design. This article reviews the efficacy and limitation of prior Z-stent models in their attempt to relieve malignant and benign biliary obstructions and previews improvements in the design currently being evaluated in a large, multicenter trial.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, USA.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Nezhad
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Dy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008670:Metals