A prospective randomised multicentre trial comparing 10 Fr Teflon Tannenbaum stents with 10 Fr polyethylene Cotton-Leung stents in patients with malignant common duct strictures.
BACKGROUND
Stent blockage is a multifactorial process in which stent design and materials, bacteria, proteins, and bile viscosity play a role.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the patency of the 10 Fr Teflon Tannenbaum (TT) stent to that of the 10 Fr Cotton-Leung (CL) polyethylene stent with sideholes, in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice.


METHODS
Patients were recruited to this prospective multicentre randomised study if they had a newly diagnosed malignant bile duct stricture below the hilum of the liver suitable for stenting with a 10 Fr stent. Data were collected and monitored by a professional monitoring company. Primary patency was the interval between stent placement and first exchange or death without recurrent jaundice.


RESULTS
134 consecutive patients were recruited between November 1994 and June 1997; 65 were randomised to the TT stent and 69 to the CL stent. Median patency and 95% confidence intervals were 181 (59, 303) days for the TT stent and 133 (92, 174) days for the CL stent, with no significant difference between the two stents (p=0.49). Median survival and 95% confidence intervals were 115 (71, 159) days for the TT stent and 151 (112, 190) days for the CL stent, with no significant difference between the two stents (p=0.765).


CONCLUSIONS
Neither Teflon as a stent material nor the Tannenbaum design prolong the patency of plastic stents.
England
R E
RE
Department of Radiology, South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust, Withington, Nell Lane, Manchester M20 2LR, UK.
Martin
D F
DF
Morris
J
J
Sheridan
M B
MB
Frost
R
R
Freeman
A
A
Lawrie
B
B
Deakin
M
M
Fraser
I
I
Smith
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000601:surgery*; D003138:Common Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015607:Stents / Q000592:standards*
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D020959:Polyethylene