title: Fully covered, self-expandable metal stents for first-step endoscopic treatment of biliary leaks secondary to hepato-biliary surgery: a retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fully covered self-expanding metal stents are now being used to treat benign biliary diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the outcomes of these stents as first-step therapy in patients with biliary leaks secondary to hepato-biliary surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients (56.7% males; mean age: 60.2 ± 13 years) were retrospectively evaluated. The data collected included technical and clinical success, adverse events and follow-up findings (1, 3 and 6 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Technical and clinical success rates were 100%. One early mild post-procedure pancreatitis occurred and resolved spontaneously. Three late stent distal migrations occurred, however cholangiography showed correct leak sealing in all patients. Stents were removed after a mean of 55.9 days. During follow-up no other complications occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our experience fully covered self-expanding metal stent placement was safe and efficacious as first-step therapy for post-operative biliary leaks. However, prospective comparative studies with plastic stents are required to validate these findings.
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Azienda Ospedaliera San Paolo - Universitary Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. b_mangiavillano@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Benedetto
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mangiavillano
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Luigiano
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tarantino
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barresi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dinelli
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frego
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bassi
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cennamo
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Viaggi
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Traina
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Masci
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000601:surgery*; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D001662:Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D008670:Metals