Background: The outcome of endoscopic biliary stent insertion for postoperative bile duct stenosis was retrospectively evaluated.
Methods: Fifty-seven patients with biliary stenosis from laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included from February 1992 to January 2000. One to three stents were inserted for an average of 12.4 months, with stent exchange every three months to avoid cholangitis caused by obstruction.
Results: Successful stent insertion was achieved in 43/57 (75.4%) patients. Stent insertion failed in 10 patients with complete and four patients with incomplete biliary obstruction. Early complications occurred in four patients. Late complications occurred in 5/43 patients. Five patients experienced recurrence of stenosis.
Conclusions: Endoscopic treatment should be the initial management of choice for postoperative bile duct stetiosis.