Benign hilar biliary strictures stented with metallic stents can be resected by using an oncologic approach.
BACKGROUND
Biliary metallic stents (MS) are being used increasingly to treat patients with malignant bile duct strictures. In patients with benign strictures, MS are contraindicated because these stents are considered unremovable. The aim of this study was to report the operative treatment of patients with benign biliary strictures at the hepatic confluence stented with MS.


METHODS
Five patients with a benign hilar stenosis stented with MS underwent liver resection with biliodigestive anastomoses. The operations were designed to remove all MS by a combined biliary and hepatic resection.


RESULTS
After preoperative portal vein embolization in 2 patients and percutaneous biliary drainage in 2 others, all underwent a major hepatectomy with resection of the biliary confluence and a biliodigestive anastomosis. One patient also underwent resection of the portal vein bifurcation that could not be freed from the bile duct wall. Four patients experienced postoperative complications. With a mean follow-up of 37 months (range, 31-47 months), all patients have remained symptom-free.


CONCLUSIONS
Operative treatment of benign hilar strictures in patients with MS is possible if they are managed similarly as patients with hilar malignancies. This demanding procedure should be considered an alternative to liver transplantation for benign strictures treated with MS, but the procedure requires expertise in advanced hepatic resections.
Vibert
Eric
E
Department of Hepatobiliary and Digestive Surgery, Beaujon Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, University of Paris VII, France.
Farges
Olivier
O
Regimbeau
Jean-Marc
JM
Belghiti
Jacques
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D002758:Cholangiography; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D015607:Stents
D008670:Metals