Endoscopic biliary stenting for irretrievable common bile duct stones: Indications, advantages, disadvantages, and follow-up results.
BACKGROUND
The advantages of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) over open surgery have made it the predominant method of treating patients with choledocholithiasis. After sphincterotomy, however, 10%-15% of common bile duct (CBD) stones cannot be removed with a basket or balloon. Methods for managing "irretrievable stones" include surgery; mechanical, intraductal shock wave, and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy; chemical dissolution; and biliary stenting. Endoscopic biliary stent insertion, which is frequently used in specific situations, has both advantages and disadvantages. To maximize the advantages and minimize the complications of biliary endoprosthesis, it is important to recognize its proper indications and to apply the technique in proper situations.


METHODS
We reviewed all publications cited in Pubmed and published through July 2011 on biliary endoprosthesis in patients with irretrievable CBD stones. We analyzed the indications, advantages, disadvantages, and long-term follow-up results of this technique.


RESULTS
Despite the occurrence of related complications, such as cholangitis, endoscopic placement of an endoprosthesis may reduce stone size, allowing later clearance of unextractable stones. Permanent biliary stenting may be a definitive treatment in selected elderly patients who are poor candidates for surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic biliary stenting remains a simple and safe method for patients with stones difficult to manage by conventional endoscopic methods and those patients unfit for surgery or at high surgical risks.
Department of Surgery, The Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, China.
Jun
J
Yang
Jia-yuan
JY
Peng
Wei
W
Chen
D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000379:methods*; D042883:Choledocholithiasis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D015607:Stents