Metal Stents for Benign and Malignant Bile Duct Strictures Stents for Benign and Malignant Bile Duct Strictues

Abstract

Self-expanding metal stents provide a much larger diameter - up to 30 Fr - in comparison with plastic stents, which have a maximum diameter of 12 Fr. Although they have consequently been found to be far superior to plastic prostheses, they are not removable, and in benign strictures metal stents should therefore be used only in exceptional situations. Metal stents are the preferred mode of treatment for malignant strictures, provided the patient has a sufficient life expectancy - although this is hard to predict in individual cases. Metal stents also seem to be superior in hilar malignancy, but the data here are limited. Future developments may include the use of covered metal stents and self-expanding stents (made of plastic or other materials) that are removable or self-dissolving.