Outcome of stenting in biliary and pancreatic benign and malignant diseases: A comprehensive review

Therapeutic biliary stents: applications and opportunities

INTRODUCTION

Biliary stents are used to optimize ductal patency and enable bile flow in the management of obstruction or injury related to biliary tract tumors, strictures, stones, or leaks. Although direct therapeutic applications of biliary stents are less well developed, stents can be used to deliver drugs, radioisotopes, and photodynamic therapy.

AREAS COVERED

This report provides an in-depth overview of the clinical indications, and therapeutic utility of biliary stents. Unique considerations for the design of biliary stents are described. The properties and functionalities of materials used for stents such as metal alloys, plastic polymers, or biodegradable materials are described, and opportunities for design of future stents are outlined. Current and potential applications of stents for therapeutic applications for biliary tract diseases are described.

EXPERT OPINION

Therapeutic biliary stents could be used to minimize inflammation, prevent stricture formation, reduce infections, or provide localized anti-cancer therapy for biliary tract cancers. Stents could be transformed into therapeutic platforms using advanced materials, 3D printing, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Whilst clinical study and validation will be required for adoption, future advances in stent design and materials are expected to expand the use of therapeutic biliary stents for the treatment of biliary tract disorders.

Endoscopic luminal stenting: Current applications and future perspectives

Endoscopic luminal stenting (ELS) represents a minimally invasive option for the management of malignant obstruction along the gastrointestinal tract. Previous studies have shown that ELS can provide rapid relief of symptoms related to esophageal, gastric, small intestinal, colorectal, biliary, and pancreatic neoplastic strictures without compromising cancer patients’ overall safety. As a result, in both palliative and neoadjuvant settings, ELS has largely surpassed radiotherapy and surgery as a first-line treatment modality. Following the abovementioned success, the indications for ELS have gradually expanded. To date, ELS is widely used in clinical practice by well-trained endoscopists in managing a wide variety of diseases and complications, such as relieving non-neoplastic obstructions, sealing iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic perforations, closing fistulae and treating post-sphincterotomy bleeding. The abovementioned development would not have been achieved without corresponding advances and innovations in stent technology. However, the technological landscape changes rapidly, making clinicians’ adaptation to new technologies a real challenge. In our mini-review article, by systematically reviewing the relevant literature, we discuss current developments in ELS with regard to stent design, accessories, techniques, and applications, expanding the research basis that was set by previous studies and highlighting areas that need to be further investigated.

Surgical Treatment of Distal Cholangiocarcinoma

Distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA) is a rare malignancy arising from the epithelial cells of the distal biliary tract and has a poor prognosis. dCCA is often clinically silent and patients commonly present with locally advanced and/or distant disease. For patients identified with early stage, resectable disease, surgical resection with negative margins remains the only curative treatment strategy available. However, despite appropriate treatment and diligent surveillance, risk of recurrence remains high with nearly 50% of patients experiencing recurrence at 5 years subsequent to surgical resection; therefore, it is prudent to continue to optimize neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies in order to reduce the risk of recurrence and improve overall survival. In this review, we discuss the clinical presentation, workup and surgical treatment of dCCA.

Clinical and Endoscopic Consequences of Delay in Stent Exchange Procedures With ERCP During the Covid-19 Pandemic

INTRODUCTION

During the COVID-19 pandemic, elective endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures have been postponed as recommended by international guidelines. In this study, the results of biliary and pancreatic ERCP procedures that had to be postponed during the pandemic process were investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-seven patients whose stent exchange procedures with ERCP were postponed between March 2020 and June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic were included in the study. Patients were evaluated in 2 groups as delayed biliary procedures (n: 32) and delayed pancreatic procedures (n: 15). Clinical problems (biliary or pancreatic pain, itching, cholangitis, etc.) and technical problems encountered during the procedure (stent migration, abundant stone sludge in the bile ducts, etc.) were compared with 46 patients who could be treated without delay (39 interventions for the biliary system and seven interventions for the pancreas).

FINDINGS

Considering the procedures for the biliary system, there was no difference in age and sex between the groups. Although clinical problems in biliary procedures were more common in the group with delay than in those without delay, this difference was not significant (34% vs. 20%; P: 0.14). The technical problems encountered during the procedures in the group with delay were significantly higher than those without delay (21% vs. 2.5%; P: 0.019), with stent migration being the most common problem (n: 5). Age and sex did not differ in the patients who had pancreatic interventions with and without delay. The clinical problems that developed in the patients did not differ between the groups with and without delay (26% vs. 28%; P: 0.8). Although technical problems were encountered in 1 out of 15 patients in the group with delay, no technical problem was experienced in the group without delay (P: 0.68).

CONCLUSION

Postponing elective ERCP procedures for the biliary system not for the pancreatic system during the COVID-19 pandemic brings technical problems.

Bacterial Pericarditis Caused by Penetration of a Migrated Biliary Stent from the Lateral Segment of the Liver: A Case Report

Endoscopic biliary stent insertion is a well-established procedure that is indispensable in the management of various benign and malignant biliary disorders, and one that helps prevent mortality related to invasive surgical procedures. We report a rare case of the distal migration of a biliary stent outside the abdomen to the pericardium, inducing constrictive pericarditis and septic shock. This case alerts clinicians to be aware of potential adverse events that can lead to unfavorable patient outcomes. Such adverse events can be effectively avoided through early detection and intervention.

Fully covered metal biliary stents: A review of the literature

Fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMS) represent the latest advancement of metal biliary stents used to endoscopically treat a variety of obstructive biliary pathology. A large stent diameter and synthetic covering over the tubular mesh prolong stent patency and reduce risk for tissue hyperplasia and tumor ingrowth. Additionally, FCSEMS can be easily removed. All these features address issues faced by plastic and uncovered metal stents. The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively review the application of FCSEMS in benign and malignant biliary strictures, biliary leak, and post-sphincterotomy bleeding.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Radiologic Management of Biliary Obstruction

Biliary obstruction is a serious condition that can occur in the setting of both benign and malignant pathologies. In the setting of acute cholangitis, biliary decompression can be lifesaving; for patients with cancer who are receiving chemotherapy, untreated obstructive jaundice may lead to biochemical derangements that often preclude continuation of therapy unless biliary decompression is performed (see the ACR Appropriateness Criteria® topic on "Jaundice"). Recommended therapy including percutaneous decompression, endoscopic decompression, and/or surgical decompression is based on the etiology of the obstruction and patient factors including the individual's anatomy. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

Long-term outcomes after temporary placement of a self-expanding fully covered metal stent for benign biliary strictures secondary to chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Temporary single, fully covered self-expanding metal stent (FCSEMS) placement for benign biliary strictures (BBSs) associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP) may require fewer interventions than endotherapy with multiple plastic stents and may carry less morbidity than biliary diversion surgery. This study aimed to assess long-term outcomes in CP-associated BBSs after FCSEMS placement and removal.

METHODS

In this open-label, multinational, prospective study, subjects with CP and a BBS treated with FCSEMS placement with scheduled removal at 10 to 12 months were followed for 5 years after FCSEMS indwell. Kaplan-Meier analyses assessed BBS resolution and cumulative probability of freedom from recurrent stent placement to 5 years after FCSEMS indwell.

RESULTS

One hundred eighteen patients were eligible for FCSEMS removal. At a median of 58 months (interquartile range, 44-64) post-FCSEMS indwell, the probability of remaining stent-free was 61.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 52.5%-70.7%). In 94 patients whose BBSs resolved at the end of FCSEMS indwell, the probability of remaining stent-free 5 years later was 77.4% (95% CI, 68.4%-86.4%). Serious stent-related adverse events occurred in 27 of 118 patients (22.9%); all resolved with medical therapy or repeated endoscopy. Multivariate analysis identified severe CP (hazard ratio, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.0-5.6; P = .046) and longer stricture length (hazard ratio, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0-1.4; P = .022) as predictors of stricture recurrence.

CONCLUSION

In patients with symptomatic BBSs secondary to CP, 5 years after placement of a single FCSEMS intended for 10 to 12 months indwell, more than 60% remained asymptomatic and stent-free with an acceptable safety profile. Temporary placement of a single FCSEMS may be considered as first-line treatment for patients with CP and BBSs. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT01014390.).

The application of Compont gel in chronic obstructive jaundice rats model

PURPOSE

To establish a new rat model, the pathogenesis of which is closer to the clinical occurrence of chronic obstructive jaundice with liver fibrosis.

METHODS

90 SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A common bile duct ligation, group B common bile duct injection compont and group C injection saline. The serum of three groups was extracted, and the liver function was detected by ELISA. HE staining, Masson staining and immunohistochemistry were used to detect liver pathology.

RESULTS

Group B showed a fluctuant development of jaundice, obstructive degree reached a peak at 2 weeks, and decreased from 3 weeks. HA, LA and PCIII were significantly higher than control group. 3 weeks after surgery, liver tissue fibrosis occurred in group B, and a wide range of fiber spacing was formed at 5 weeks. Immunohistochemistry showed that hepatic stellate cells were more active than the control group.

CONCLUSION

Intra-biliary injection of Compont gel is different from the classic obstructive jaundice animal model caused by classic bile duct ligation, which can provide an ideal rat model of chronic obstructive jaundice with liver fibrosis.

Long-term Outcome of Endoscopic and Percutaneous Transhepatic Approaches for Biliary Complications in Liver Transplant Recipients

Background

Biliary complications occur in 6% to 34% of liver transplant recipients, for which endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has become widely accepted as the first-line therapy. We evaluated long-term outcome of biliary complications in patients liver transplanted between 2004 and 2014 at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm.

Methods

Data were retrospectively collected, radiological images were analyzed for type of biliary complication, and graft and patient survivals were calculated.

Results

In 110 (18.5%) of 596 transplantations, there were a total of 153 cases of biliary complications: 68 (44.4%) anastomotic strictures, 43 (28.1%) nonanastomotic strictures, 24 (15.7%) bile leaks, 11 (7.2%) cases of stone- and/or sludge-related problems, and 7 (4.6%) cases of mixed biliary complications. Treatment success rates for each complication were 90%, 73%, 100%, 82% and 80%, respectively. When the endoscopic approach was unsatisfactory or failed, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography or a combination of treatments was often successful (in 18 of 24 cases). No procedure-related mortality was observed. Procedure-related complications were reported in 7.7% of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and 3.8% of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography procedures. Patient survival rates, 1, 3, 5, and 10 years posttransplant in patients with biliary complications were 92.7%, 80%, 74.7%, and 54.1%, respectively, compared with 92%, 86.6%, 83.7%, and 72.8% in patients free from biliary complications (P < 0.01). Similarly, long-term graft survival was lower in the group experiencing biliary complications (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Endoscopic and percutaneous approaches for treating biliary complications are safe and efficient and should be considered complementing techniques. Despite a high treatment success rate of biliary complications, their occurrence still has a significant negative impact on patient and graft long-term survivals.

Endoscopic biliary self-expandable metallic stent in malignant biliary obstruction with or without sphincterotomy: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aim  To assess the rate of adverse events and the technical success rate of biliary stenting with or without EBS.  Methods  A literature search up to February 2017 was performed. Studies assessing adverse events (AEs) and technical success rates of stenting with or without EBS were considered. Results  Seven studies (870 patients; 12 treatment arms) were included. Early AEs, i. e. those occurring within 30 days, were significantly lower in no-EBS vs. EBS-group (11 % vs . 20.1 %; OR: 0.36, 95 %CI: 0.13 - 1.00). Rates of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis were not significantly different in the two groups (no-EBS vs . EBS: 6.1 % vs 5 %; OR: 1.33, 95 %CI: 0.68 - 2.59). The rate of bleeding was significantly lower in patients without EBS (no-EBS vs EBS: 0 % vs 5 %; OR: 0.12, 95 % CI: 0.03 - 0.45). Rates of cholangitis were significantly lower in patients without EBS (no-EBS vs . EBS: 3.3 % vs. 7.4 %; OR: 0.38, 95 %CI: 0.17 - 0.83). Both late AEs and mortality rates did not significantly differ between no-EBS and EBS patients (19.9 % vs. 18.9 %; OR: 0.93, 95 %CI: 0.56 - 1.53, and 2.5 % vs. 2.9 %; OR: 1.18, 95 %CI: 0.22 - 6.29, respectively). The technical success rate for stent insertion also did not differ (98 % vs. 97.6 %; OR: 1.05, 95 %CI: 0.42 - 2.63). Conclusion  EBS seems to be associated, in the first 30 days after the procedure, with an increased risk of cholangitis and bleeding. No difference was observed in the rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Suspended over length biliary stents versus conventional plastic biliary stents for the treatment of biliary stricture: A retrospective single-center study

To compare patency between suspended over length biliary stents (SOBSs; made from nasobiliary tube) and conventional plastic biliary stents (CPBSs).We retrospectively analyzed 61 patients with extrahepatic biliary stricture who underwent SOBS placement (intrahepatic bile duct) and 74 patients who underwent CPBS placement. Stent patency and complications were compared.The SOBS group was slightly older and contained more females than the CPBS group but other baseline characteristics were similar. Malignant biliary obstruction accounted for 57.4% (SOBS group) and 45.9% (CPBS group) of cases. Technical success rate, hospital stay and post-procedure complications were similar between groups. Median patency in the CPBS and SOBS group was 116 (2-360) days and 175 (3-480) days, respectively (P <.001). The SOBS group had lower stent occlusion rates than the CPBS group at 3 months (9.8% vs 36.5%), 4 months (22.0% vs 55.4%), 5 months (35.6% vs 67.6%), and 6 months (39.3% vs 77.0%) (all P <.01). In Cox regression analysis, stent type (SOBS vs CPBS) was the only factor associated with patency (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.449; 95% CI: 1.973-6.028; P <.001).SOBS may have better medium-term patency than CPBS for benign/malignant biliary stricture.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for stent-stone complex formation following biliary plastic stent placement in patients with common bile duct stones

BACKGROUND

Stent-stone complex (SSC) formation is one of the complications of endoscopic biliary stent placement. This study aimed to clarify the clinical characteristics and risk factors for SSC formation following plastic stent (PS) placement in patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 78 patients with CBD stones who had undergone 107 biliary stent placements as palliative treatment. Demographic, historical, and stent-related data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

At PS removal, SSC formations were observed in 18% of the 107 cases (SSC group) studied and not in the remaining 82% (non-SSC group). The duration of PS placement was significantly longer in the SSC group. The increase in CBD diameter during the stenting period as well as the incidence of cholangitis at PS removal was significantly greater in the SSC group. Multivariate analysis identified long-term (≥301 days) PS placement and the increase in CBD diameter during the stenting period as independent factors for SSC formation.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term PS placement induces a risk of SSC formation in patients with CBD stones. The increase in diameter of CBD during the period of PS placement is a predictive factor for SSC formation in this situation.

Single brand, fully-covered, self-expandable metal stent for the treatment of benign biliary disease: when should stents be removed?

The two most relevant endoscopic treatable benign biliary diseases (BBD) are benign biliary strictures (BBSs) and biliary leaks (BLs), often associated with high morbidity. The most common endoscopic treatment for biliary strictures involves placement of multiple plastic stents (PSs), with or without balloon dilation, followed by planned exchange of the stents. Thus, there continues to be high interest in pursuing alternative endoscopic approaches that may achieve better results with fewer interventions. In this setting, the use of a fully-covered, self-expandable metal stent (FCSEMS) is an attractive alternative to single or multiple PSs for the treatment of BBDs. A single metal stent can remain in place for a longer period of time before removal; however, the maximum time the stent can be remain in place is still not well defined. The aim of this review is to determine the removal time of the TaeWoong® FCSEMS, placed for BBD. According to our data analysis, considering the absence of loss of the covering of the FCSEMS and of any adverse events during and after stent removal, leaving the TaeWoong medical FCSEMS in situ for an 8 months' period seems to be acceptable for benign biliary diseases. Further studies need to evaluate their removability at 1 year.

Management of Benign and Malignant Pancreatic Duct Strictures

The diagnosis and management of pancreatic strictures, whether malignant or benign, remain challenging. The last 2 decades have seen dramatic progress in terms of both advanced imaging and endoscopic therapy. While plastic stents remain the cornerstone of the treatment of benign strictures, the advent of fully covered metal stents has initiated a new wave of interest in calibrating the pancreatic duct with fewer sessions. In malignant disease, palliation remains the priority and further data are necessary before offering systematic pancreatic stenting.

Retroperitoneal bile leak after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Bile duct injury (BDI) is a well-recognised complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Following a BDI, bile usually leaks into the peritoneal space and causes biliary peritonitis. This manifests as non-specific abdominal pain and fever occurring several days after the surgery. It can be managed by laparoscopic washout with or without bile duct repair. We present a rare case of retroperitoneal bile leak post-LC. The mechanism of injury here was likely partial avulsion from excessive traction of the cystic duct during intraoperative cholangiogram. Diagnosing retroperitoneal bile leak can be difficult because it is extremely rare and the presenting symptoms can be similar to an intraperitoneal bile leak. A high index of clinical suspicion is required. In cases of suspected bile leak, any mismatch between the exploratory laparoscopic findings and imaging findings should alert surgeons to consider the rare possibility of a retroperitoneal bile leak.

Current Status of Biliary Metal Stents

Many advances have been achieved in biliary stenting over the past 30 years. Endoscopic stent placement has become the primary management therapy to relieve obstruction in patients with benign or malignant biliary tract diseases. Compared with plastic stents, a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) has been used for management in patients with malignant strictures because of a larger lumen and longer stent patency. Recently, SEMS has been used for various benign biliary strictures and leaks. In this article, we briefly review the characteristics of SEMS as well as complications of stent placement. We review the current guidelines for managing malignant and benign biliary obstructions. Recent developments in biliary stenting are also discussed.