ENDOSCOPIC BILIARY COVERED SELF-EXPANDABLE METAL STENT PLACEMENT FOR UNRESECTABLE MALIGNANT HILAR BILIARY OBSTRUCTION

Abstract

Endoscopic biliary drainage using a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) or plastic stent has been widely performed in patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO). Uncovered SEMSs have generally been used in endoscopic biliary SEMS placement for unresectable MHBO. Recently, several articles reported endoscopic biliary covered SEMS placement for MHBO. We describe the current status of endoscopic biliary covered SEMS placement for MHBO. We also describe our techniques and clinical outcomes of endoscopic biliary side-by-side placement using a partially covered SEMS in patients with unresectable MHBO.