title: A comparative study on the efficacy of covered metal stent and plastic stent in unresectable malignant biliary obstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The placement of self expandable metal stent (SEMS) is one of the palliative therapeutic options for patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a covered SEMS versus the conventional plastic stent.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively evaluated 44 patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction who were treated with a covered SEMS (21 patients) or a plastic stent (10 Fr, 23 patients). We analyzed the technical success rate, functional success rate, early complications, late complications, stent patency and survival rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was one case in the covered SEMS group that had failed technically, but was corrected successfully using lasso. Functional success rates were 90.5% in the covered SEMS group and 91.3% in the plastic stent group. There was no difference in early complications between the two groups. Median patency of the stent was significantly prolonged in patients who had a covered SEMS (233.6 days) compared with those who had a plastic stent (94.6 days) (p=0.006). During the follow-up period, stent occlusion occurred in 11 patients of the covered SEMS group. Mean survival showed no significant difference between the two groups (covered SEMS group, 236.9 days; plastic stent group, 222.3 days; p=0.182).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patency of the covered SEMS was longer than that of the plastic stent and the lasso of the covered SEMS was available for repositioning of the stent.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
authors: Jae Myoung
authors: JM
authors: Choi
authors: Jin Hong
authors: JH
authors: Kim
authors: Soon Sun
authors: SS
authors: Kim
authors: Jun Hwan
authors: JH
authors: Yu
authors: Jae Chul
authors: JC
authors: Hwang
authors: Byung Moo
authors: BM
authors: Yoo
authors: Sang Heum
authors: SH
authors: Park
authors: Ho Gak
authors: HG
authors: Kim
authors: Dong Ki
authors: DK
authors: Lee
authors: Kang Hyun
authors: KH
authors: Ko
authors: Kyo Sang
authors: KS
authors: Yoo
authors: Do Hyun
authors: DH
authors: Park