title: Expandable metal stents for benign biliary disease.
abstract: Benign biliary diseases include benign biliary strictures (BBS), choledocholithiasis, and leaks. BBS encompass postoperative injury, anastomotic stricture, chronic pancreatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and gallstone-related stricture. Therapeutic options for benign biliary diseases include surgical, percutaneous, and endoscopic interventions. Endoscopic options include placement of plastic stents as well as self-expanding metal stents (SEMS). SEMS can be uncovered, partially covered, and fully covered, and have been used with some success in resolution of strictures and leaks; however, complications limit their use. This article reviews the currently published experience on SEMS and attempts to define their current role in the treatment of benign biliary diseases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Virginia, PO Box 800708, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Mihir R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Bakhru
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kahaleh
mesh_terms: D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals; D015607:Stents
chemical_list: D008670:Metals