title: Recanalization of refractory benign biliary stricture using magnetic compression anastomosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Endoscopic or percutaneous treatments are preferentially attempted for benign biliary stricture (BBS). However, these methods are not feasible if a guide wire cannot be passed through the stricture. This study evaluated the usefulness and technical requirements of magnetic compression anastomosis (MCA) in refractory BBS.
  
  
  METHODS
  MCA was performed in patients with BBS that had not been resolved with conventional treatments. One magnet was delivered through the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage tract and the other magnet was advanced through three different routes. After magnet approximation and recanalization, an internal drainage catheter was placed for 6 months and then removed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven patients underwent MCA, and recanalization was successfully achieved in five. MCA failure in two cases was attributed to long stenotic segments and parallel alignment of the axes of the magnets. The mean follow-up period after recanalization was 485.2 days. Five patients with successful recanalization showed no MCA-related complications or restenosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MCA represents an alternative nonsurgical method of BBS recanalization that cannot be treated with conventional methods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Ill
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwangwon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Haewon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Hoon
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioevaluation Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Cheongwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jieun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang-Hun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seungmin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Bok
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Ki
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000601:surgery*; D002404:Catheterization; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059346:Magnets; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged