title: Uncovered Hanaro Versus Luminex metal stents for palliation of malignant biliary strictures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endoscopic stent insertion is the optimum method of palliation for malignant biliary obstruction. Various types of self-expanding metal stents have been introduced in the market. Whether one type of stents is superior to the others in terms of stent patency remains undefined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This randomized trial compared 2 uncovered metal stents with similar technical characteristics, but significant cost difference, in the palliation of inoperable malignant biliary strictures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-two patients with inoperable biliary obstruction were randomized to receive either a 10-mm diameter Hanaro or Luminex uncovered metal stent. The duration of stent patency, the overall patient survival, the mechanism of stent occlusion, and the adverse events were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-nine patients were included in the analysis; 44 received Hanaro stents and 45 Luminex stents. The overall median patency rates between the 2 stents did not differ (328 d for the Hanaro vs. 289 d for the Luminex stent; P=0.815). Similarly, no difference was found between the overall median survival rates by the 2 stents (347 d for the Hanaro vs. 307 d for the Luminex stent; P=0.654). Two major procedure-related complications occurred, perforation (Hanaro stent) and proximal stent migration (Luminex stent). Stent occlusion requiring reintervention occurred in 25 patients (11 with the Hanaro vs. 14 with the Luminex stent; P=0.521).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 2 uncovered metal stents are comparable in terms of placement, occlusion rates, overall stent patency, and patient survival; Hanaro stent insertion, however, seems to be a cost-saving strategy at least in Greece.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endoscopy and Motility Unit, Central Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Katsinelos
authors.forename: Jannis
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kountouras
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paroutoglou
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paikos
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moschos
authors.forename: Grigoris
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chatzimavroudis
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zavos
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Makrigiannis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D001651:Cholestasis, Extrahepatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D004379:Duodenal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D008670:Metals