Background and study aims: In patients with obstruction of the common bile duct caused by primary pancreaticoblliary tumors, Wallstents have been shown to remain patent for a median duration of 273 days (range: 14-363). However, in one study that included both patients with primary pancreaticobillary malignancies and patients with metastatic malignant disease, the reported median Wallstent patency was found to be significantly shorter. We have studied the patency of Wall-stents in patients with metastatic billary obstruction.
Patients and methods: All patients who had received a Wallstent for metastatic biliary obstruction between January 1990 and August 1994 were analyzed retrospectively. Follow-up was achieved by contacting referring physicians and general practitioners, and lasted up to the end of the study period (November 1994) or death of the patient. Follow-up was discontinued if a polyethylene stent was inserted through the Wallstent for treatment of stent dysfunction.
Results: 28 patients were identified, including 14 men and 14 women, with a mean age of 61.3 years (range 24-87). Long-term follow-up was possible in 27 patients (96%), for a median duration of 140 days (range 29- 561). Eleven patients died during the study period, and there were three deaths related to Wallstent dysfunction. The median duration of Wallstent patency was 265 days (range 11-519). Wallstent obstruction occurred in 13 patients; seven patients presented with cholangitis, six patients had jaundice. The cause of obstruction was established at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in ten patients: seven had tumor ingrowth, and three had tumor overgrowth. Treatment consisted of insertion of a polyethylene stent in seven and placement of a second Wallstent in three patients.
Conclusion: In patients with metastatic obstruction of the common bile duct, the duration of patency of Wallstents is comparable to that reported in series of Wallstents for primary pancreaticobiliary malignancies.