title: Radiopaque biodegradable stent for duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in pigs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Biliary stricture is a common cause of morbidity after liver transplantation. We previously developed a duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis technique using a biodegradable stent tube and confirmed the feasibility and safety of biliary stent use. However, the duration and mechanism of biliary stent absorption in the common bile duct remain unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Radiopaque biodegradable biliary stents were created using a copolymer of L-lactide and ε-caprolactone (70: 30) and coated with barium sulfate. Stents were surgically implanted in the common bile duct of 11 pigs. Liver function tests and computed tomography (CT) scans were performed postoperatively, and autopsies were conducted 6 months after biliary stent implantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the surgery, all 11 pigs had normal liver function and survived without any significant complications such as biliary leakage. A CT scan at 2 months post-procedure showed that the biliary stents were located in the hilum of the liver. The stents were not visible by CT scan at the 6-month follow-up examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The surgical implantation of radiopaque biodegradable biliary stents in biliary surgery represents a new option for duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction. This technique appears to be feasible and safe and is not associated with any significant biliary complications. The advantage of coated biliary stent use is that it may be visualized using abdominal radiography such as CT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, University of Hiroshima, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshisato
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanimoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kure medical Center, National Hospital Organization, 3-1, Aoyama, Kure City, Hiroshima, 737-0023, Japan. htashiro@hiroshima-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hirotaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tashiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, University of Hiroshima, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mikuriya
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, University of Hiroshima, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan.
authors.forename: Shintaro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuroda
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, University of Hiroshima, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan.
authors.forename: Masakazu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, University of Hiroshima, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.affiliation: Taniura Animal Hospital, 1-3-30, Kairoen, Saiki-Ku, Hiroshima, 731-5135, Japan.
authors.forename: Tokunori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taniura
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, University of Hiroshima, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan.
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohdan
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation; D000818:Animals; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D001662:Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures; D002208:Caproates; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D003287:Contrast Media; D007783:Lactones; D023421:Models, Animal; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D015607:Stents; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D002208:Caproates; D003287:Contrast Media; D007783:Lactones; D001466:Barium Sulfate; C121056:caprolactone
keywords: Biliary stenosis; Biliary stent; Biodegradable; Liver transplantation; Radiopaque