SELF-EXPANDING METALLIC ENDOPROSTHESES IN THE PALLIATIVE TREATMENT OFBILIARY OBSTRUCTIONS IN NONRESECTABLE CARCINOMA OF THE HEAD OF THE PANCREAS

Objective: A study of inmediate and long-term results with the selfexp andable metallic stent (Wallstent), in the treatment of biliary obstru ction in 25 patients with non resectable carcinoma of the head of the pancreas was carried out. Stent placement was successful in all patien ts. Results: Complication rate was 4% (n=1); one patient had venous bl eeding after percutaneous catheter placement. There was no procedure r elated mortality (30-day mortality); hospital stay was 6, 7 days (2-12 ). Average survival was 6 months (+/- 2.97). Average patency of the in itial stent lasted 5 months (+/- 2.01); confort index was 83%. Five pa tients required re-admission. Late complications were cholangitis in 2 and stent occulsion in 4. Disimpaction in one patient and placement o f additional stent (PALMAZ) in the remaining 3 patients were performed . One patient required surgical treatment; hepaticojejunostomy was per formed. Elapse time between prostheses placement and stent aclussion w as 3.4 months (2-4.5). Conclusions: We conclude that metallic stent pl acement has low morbidity without mortality and provide good quality o f live. The most frequent late complication was prostheses obstruction .