A NEW FLANGED BILIARY COVERED STENT TO PREVENT PROSTHESIS MIGRATION. A PRELIMINARY REPORT

Aims:

Evaluation of migration rate, and efficacy of a new type of biliary covered stent, with large flange on distal end to prevent prosthesis migration [Niti-S Biliary Covered Stent (Flare Type)] The stents have 4, 6, 8 or 10 cm in length, a diameter of 10 mm, with proximal flange dilated up to 12 mm, and the distal one dilated up to 16 mm.

Methods:

We have treated with the news devices 7 patients with head pancreatic advanced cancer. The stents have been checked at first, third and sixth month using abdomen X-ray film to assess the stent patency and absence of migration. The day after the insertion we check serum level of bilirubin and pancreatic amylase. The same parameters have been recorded at first, third and sixth month.

Results:

We report a 100% of success rate on stent insertion. Bilirubin serum level has decreased within 6 days to normality. In 1 of 7 patients we recorded a peak of three times the normal level of serum amylase, returned to normal level within three days, with no clinical signs of pancreatitis. No bleeding or any other complication has been recorded. We did no suffer any migration within the threee month observation period.

Conclusions:

These new biliary covered stents, designed to prevent migration, look to be an effective and secure device on this preliminary observation. More data will be recorded in future.