Management of benign biliary strictures: biliary enteric anastomosis vs endoscopic stenting.
OBJECTIVE
Although advances in endoscopic procedures have provided alternative options for relieving biliary obstructions, the overall chance of cure for patients with benign biliary stricture is the same using surgical or endoscopic treatment.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Tertiary care university hospital.


METHODS
Of 163 patients referred for treatment with diagnoses of benign strictures of the common bile duct between January 1, 1975, and July 1, 1998, we studied 42 patients with postcholecystectomy stricture and a follow-up longer than 60 months. Twenty of these patients were treated with endoscopic stenting and 22 with surgery (hepaticojejunostomy, choledochojejunostomy, or intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomy).


METHODS
Postoperative mortality and morbidity and long-term outcome. The rate of restenosis was also determined.


RESULTS
Morbidity occurred more frequently in patients treated with endoscopic procedures than with surgical ones (9 vs 2; P = .34). Hospital mortality was 0%. Surgery achieved excellent or good long-term outcome in 17 of 22 patients. Endoscopic biliary stenting was successful in 16 of 20 patients. Overall, excellent or good outcomes were achieved in 34 patients (81%).


CONCLUSIONS
The ability to achieve steady, long-term results confirms hepaticojejunostomy as the best procedure in the treatment of benign biliary strictures, even if endoscopic procedures are gaining a new role in the treatment of a greater number of patients.
Tocchi
A
A
First Department of Surgery, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy. gluca.costa@iol.it
Mazzoni
G
G
Liotta
G
G
Costa
G
G
Lepre
L
L
Miccini
M
M
De Masi
E
E
Lamazza
M A
MA
Fiori
E
E
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D001662:Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D001651:Cholestasis, Extrahepatic / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*; D003137:Common Bile Duct Diseases / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome