Bare-metal stents across the Vater's ampulla is a safe method for patients with lower bile duct obstruction

Comparison of the Clinical Outcomes of Suprapapillary and Transpapillary Stent Insertion in Unresectable Cholangiocarcinoma with Biliary Obstruction

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To prevent stent migration, transpapillary stent placement has been recommended for the endoscopic treatment of malignant hilar biliary stricture. However, recent studies have suggested that placement above the papilla achieves better results, because it is believed to prevent reflux and prolong stent patency. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety aspects of transpapillary and suprapapillary stent placement. In addition, the success rates of stent revision were evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The medical records of 73 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma who underwent endoscopic metal stent insertion between January 2005 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were assigned by stent location to a suprapapillary (S group; N = 44) or a transpapillary (T group; N = 29) cohort. Clinical outcomes, stent patency, adverse events, and revision success rates were compared between the two study groups.

RESULTS

Patency periods were similar in the two groups (S; 140 vs. T; 157 days; P = 0.732). Rates of stent obstruction in the S and T groups were 63.4% and 55.2%, respectively (P = 0.470). An adverse event occurred in 15 (20.5%) of total study subjects, with no significant intergroup difference. The endoscopic revision success rate was significantly higher in the T group (P = 0.01), and the time required for revision tended to be shorter in the T group.

CONCLUSIONS

The effectiveness and safety of suprapapillary and transpapillary stent insertion were found to be similar, but the success rate of endoscopic revision was significantly higher for the T group. Therefore, we recommend that transpapillary stent placement be considered for patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma and biliary obstruction.