Patency of Vater's papilla and biliary tract infection after expandable metallic stenting in the cases of malignant biliary obstruction

Abstract

We examined the influence of patency of Vater's papilla to complication after expandable metallic stenting (EMS). Two groups were divided; preserved papilla cases (p-group, n=8) and unpreserved cases (u-group, n = 7). The incidence of biliary tract infection, hospital stay (days)and home stay (days) were compared between these 2 groups. Six of 7 cases had cholangitis in ugroup; no evidence was shown in p-group. Liver abscess was induced in 2 of these 6 biliary infected cases. Bacterial culture of bile was positive in just 1 case in p-group (12.5%); in all cases in ugroup (100%). Home stay in u-group became significantly shorter than in u-group due to bile duct infection; no difference about hospital stay. From these results, regurgitating cholangitis would be important in the cases of unpreserved Vater's papilla after EMS.