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Endoscopy 2008; 40(8): 697-700
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1077353
Case report

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Removable fully covered self-expandable metal stents in the treatment of common bile duct strictures due to chronic pancreatitis: A case series

D.  L.  Cahen1 , E.  A.  J.  Rauws1 , D.  J.  Gouma2 , P.  Fockens1 , M.  J.  Bruno1
  • 1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 2Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Further Information

Publication History

submitted 5 September 2007

accepted after revision 14 April 2008

Publication Date:
24 July 2008 (online)

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The aim of this study was to test the removability of fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMS) in patients with a benign common bile duct (CBD) stricture. A FCSEMS was inserted in six patients with a CBD stricture due to chronic pancreatitis who were considered to be unfit for surgery, and stent removal was attempted after predefined intervals of 4 and 6 months. FCSEMS were successfully placed in all patients (100 % placement success) and stent extraction was accomplished in four patients (66 % removal rate), all of whom achieved stricture resolution (66 % resolution rate). In one patient a recurrent stenosis developed after 6 months (recurrence rate 25 %). Proximal stent migration occurred in two patients. In conclusion, FCSEMS removal was possible in the majority of patients and results regarding stricture dilation were promising. Nevertheless, before FCSEMS can become an acceptable treatment option for benign CBD strictures, innovative stent design modifications are necessary and removability must be ascertained.

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D. L. Cahen, MD 

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Academic Medical Centre

Meibergdreef 9
1105 AZ
Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Fax: +31-20-6917033

Email: djca@zha.nl