title: Intentional retrieval of viabil stent-grafts from the biliary system.
abstract: The present report describes the intentional retrieval of six Viabil stent-grafts from the biliary system. The six stent-grafts were successfully removed from five patients with a mean time from placement to retrieval of 38 days. Successful retrieval was independent of underlying disease etiology and included strictures associated with benign disease, malignant disease, disease of unknown etiology, and stent-graft misplacement. There were no complications resulting from stent-graft retrieval. Intentional removal of Viabil stent-grafts is technically feasible. Further study is necessary to establish its potential role in the management of biliary disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, San Diego, California 92103, USA. mkuo@ucsd
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Lopresti
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Gover
authors.forename: Lee D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ferrara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D015607:Stents
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene